This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.



                           CONFIDENTIAL     PTO9664

PAGE 01        HARARE  02221  01 OF 04  251426Z 
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FM AMEMBASSY HARARE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5842
INFO NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 HARARE 002221 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR GAYLE SMITH 
 
LONDON FOR PFLAUMER 
 
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS 
 
DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR SA/INS - STEVEN KRAFT 
 
PASS USAID FOR A/AID R. MCCALL AND AFR/SA - W. JEFFERS 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        HARARE  02221  01 OF 04  251426Z 
 
PASS USTR FOR ROSA WHITAKER 
 
USDOC FOR 4510/ITA/ANESA/OA/SMILLER 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2010 
TAGS: PGOV PINR ECON ZI
SUBJECT: MUGABE USES THE LAND ISSUE AS A SMOKESCREEN 
 
REF: (A) HARARE 2202 (NOTAL) 
     (B) PRETORIA 2820 (NOTAL) 
 
CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR TOM MCDONALD FOR REASONS 1.5 
(B) AND (D). 
 
------- 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
¶1.  (C) AS CURRENTLY INVOKED BY PRESIDENT MUGABE AND 
SENIOR RULING ZANU-PF PARTY OFFICIALS, THE LAND REFORM 
ISSUE IS A CANARD.  IN OUR JUDGMENT, THE ZIMBABWEAN 
PRESIDENT AND PARTY DO NOT WANT A NEAR TERM RESOLUTION 
TO THE LAND QUESTION, BUT RATHER WANT TO KEEP THE 
SITUATION ON THE GROUND UNSETTLED.  CONSEQUENTLY, WHILE 
WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO URGE THE GOZ TO RETURN TO THE 
AGREEMENTS REACHED AT THE SEPTEMBER 1998 DONORS' 
CONFERENCE, WE SHOULD NOT SEARCH FOR NEW OFFERS TO PUT 
ON THE TABLE, IN RESPONSE TO MUGABE'S BLACKMAIL.  THE 
ZIMBABWEAN PRESIDENT IS BANKING ON THE FACT THAT BETWEEN 
APPEALING TO BLACK NATIONALIST SENTIMENT AND 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        HARARE  02221  01 OF 04  251426Z 
INTIMIDATING WHITES, AND, INCREASINGLY MORE BRUTALLY, 
BLACK FARM WORKERS, HIS PARTY WILL WIN THE STILL 
UNSCHEDULED PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION.  FROM THE LITTLE WE 
HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ELICIT ON THE SUBJECT, REGIONAL 
LEADERS MEETING MUGABE IN VICTORIA FALLS ON APRIL 22 
LIKELY SAID THAT THE SPECTACLE OF VIOLENCE IN ZIMBABWE 
AND ITS ATTENDANT BAD PUBLICITY WAS HURTING THE SOUTHERN 
AFRICAN REGION.  WE ARE CONCERNED THAT MUGABE MAY HAVE 
INTERPRETED THEIR MESSAGE TO MEAN THAT HE MUST KEEP HIS 
INTIMIDATION CAMPAIGN BELOW THE RADAR SCREEN.  WE THINK 
MUGABE MIGHT YIELD TO INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE, 
PARTICULARLY IF IT COMES FROM A GROUP LIKE THE 
COMMONWEALTH.  WE SHOULD HELP FACILITATE THAT, ALTHOUGH 
NOT TAKE THE LEAD.  AT THE SAME TIME, WE SHOULD CONTINUE 
OUR OWN CAMPAIGN OF QUIET DIPLOMATIC PRESSURE ON THE 
GOVERNMENT COMBINED WITH EFFORTS AIMED AT BUILDING 
BRIDGES AMONG POLITICAL ADVERSARIES IN ZIMBABWE.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
------------------------------- 
THE LAND ISSUE IS A SMOKESCREEN 
------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (C) ROBERT MUGABE HAS RESUSCITATED HIS OLD STANDBY, 
THE LAND ISSUE, AS A WAY TO DRUM UP NATIONALIST 
SENTIMENT AND GARNER VOTES IN THE PARLIAMENTARY 
ELECTION.  IN OUR RECENT CONVERSATIONS WITH THE 
PRESIDENT AND WITH FOREIGN MINISTER STANISLAUS MUDENGE 
WE HAVE REACHED THE CONCLUSION THAT, AS CURRENTLY USED 
BY THE SENIOR ZANU-PF LEADERSHIP, THE ISSUE IS LITTLE 
MORE THAN A SMOKESCREEN AND ELECTRIC CATTLE PROD TO 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 04        HARARE  02221  01 OF 04  251426Z 
INTIMIDATE AND DIRECT THE NATION.  SUGGESTING STEPS THE 
ZIMBABWEAN PRESIDENT MIGHT TAKE, AMBASSADOR MCDONALD 
ASKED PRESIDENT MUGABE POINT BLANK WHETHER HE WAS 
INTERESTED IN RESULTS OR POLITICKING.  THE ZIMBABWEAN 
CHIEF EXECUTIVE DEMURRED. 
 
¶3.  (C) IN OUR VIEW, IT IS CLEAR THAT THE LAND AND ITS 
WHITE OWNERSHIP IS BEING USED AS A VERY BLUNT POLITICAL 
INSTRUMENT BY MUGABE, WHO HAS PERSONALLY TAKEN CHARGE OF 
THE ISSUE, TO BLUDGEON THE NATION TO DECLARE ITS NEAR- 
UNANIMOUS FEALTY TO HIMSELF.  IF THE GOAL OF JUST LAND 
REFORM WERE TO BE PURSUED HONESTLY AND WITH DUE CONCERN 
FOR ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY 
CONCERNS, THE PRINCIPLES AND ACTION PLAN HAMMERED OUT IN 
THE SEPTEMBER 1998 LAND DONORS CONFERENCE WOULD BE 
ADHERED TO.  THEY, HOWEVER, HAVE BEEN CAST ASIDE ALONG 
WITH DUE PROCESS, LAW AND ORDER ENFORCEMENT AND RESPECT 
FOR THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM.  APPROPRIATE LAND REFORM IS A 
MATTER OF SOCIAL JUSTICE, BUT THERE IS NO ECONOMIC CASE 
FOR WILLY-NILLY LAND REDISTRIBUTION.  IN FACT THE 
OPPOSITE IS TRUE, AS THE COMMERCIAL FARMERS ARE 
EFFICIENT AND PRODUCE THE MAJORITY OF THE COUNTRY'S 
EXPORT EARNINGS WHILE LOOKING AFTER THE ASSET.  THE 
POLITICAL ELEMENT IS STRONG, ESPECIALLY BEFORE AN 
ELECTION WHERE THERE IS A VIABLE OPPOSITION AND WHEN THE 
MANIFESTATIONS OF THE ECONOMIC CALAMITY WROUGHT BY 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
                           CONFIDENTIAL     PTO9667 
 
PAGE 01        HARARE  02221  02 OF 04  251426Z 
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O 251430Z APR 00 
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5843 
INFO NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE 
DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC 
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 04 HARARE 002221 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR GAYLE SMITH 
 
LONDON FOR PFLAUMER 
 
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS 
 
DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR SA/INS - STEVEN KRAFT 
 
PASS USAID FOR A/AID R. MCCALL AND AFR/SA - W. JEFFERS 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        HARARE  02221  02 OF 04  251426Z 
 
PASS USTR FOR ROSA WHITAKER 
 
USDOC FOR 4510/ITA/ANESA/OA/SMILLER 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2010 
TAGS: PGOV PINR ECON ZI
SUBJECT: MUGABE USES THE LAND ISSUE AS A SMOKESCREEN 
 
MUGABE AND THE PARTY MAKE LIFE A DAILY STRUGGLE FOR THE 
MAJORITY.  THESE ARE MADE WORSE BY THE REALIZATION THAT 
TWENTY YEARS OF PROMISES TO THE PEASANTRY ON LAND 
REDISTRIBUTION HAS ONLY SEEN MUGABE'S CRONIES BECOME 
SOME OF THE LARGEST LAND OWNERS OF ALL. 
 
¶4.  (C) OBSERVERS AND PARTICIPANTS ON ALL SIDES AGREE 
THAT PROGRESS SINCE THE SEPTEMBER 1998 CONFERENCE HAS 
BEEN SLOWER THAN ENVISIONED.  THE GOZ'S SMALL BUDGET 
ALLOCATION DID NOT GO FAR, A FACT THAT SLOWED DOWN DONOR 
SUPPORT.  THE FOREIGN MINISTER TOLD THE AMBASSADOR IN A 
SEPARATE MEETING APRIL 22 THAT THE SEPTEMBER 1998 LAND 
DONORS' CONFERENCE WAS NOT ONLY A WASTE OF TIME BUT A 
"FAILURE," STATING THAT SINCE THE DONORS DID NOT PONY UP 
CASH TO BUY LAND, ZIMBABWE'S INTERESTS WERE NOT MET BY 
IT.  MUDENGE CONTINUED, "WHAT PROGRESS HAVE WE SEEN ON 
LAND ACQUISITION SINCE THE CONFERENCE?  NONE.  THE 
FARMERS HAVE BLOCKED IT IN THE COURTS AND THE BRITISH 
HAVE ACTIVELY STOPPED THE WORLD BANK FROM PROVIDING 
FUNDS.  NOW, WITH THE NEW LAW, WE WILL FINALLY HAVE 
PROGRESS." 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        HARARE  02221  02 OF 04  251426Z 
----------------------------------------- 
MOVING THE GOALPOSTS AND STIRRING THE POT 
----------------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  (C) THERE ALSO HAS BEEN MOVEMENT ON THE FARM 
INVASION FRONT.  INITIALLY, SENIOR GOVERNMENT MINISTERS 
ASSURED US THE WAR VETERANS OCCUPATION WOULD BE RESOLVED 
ONCE THE CONSTITUTION WAS AMENDED WITH A LAND CLAUSE. 
NOW THE GOAL POSTS HAVE MOVED: THE INVASIONS WILL BE 
CALLED OFF WHEN 841 PREVIOUSLY DESIGNATED FARMS, WHOSE 
DESIGNATION WAS CHALLENGED IN COURT, ARE WILLINGLY 
TURNED OVER TO THE GOVERNMENT WITHOUT CONCERN FOR THE 
PETTY DETAIL OF PAYMENT. 
 
¶6.  (C) MUGABE AND COMPANY HAVE A STAKE IN KEEPING THE 
TEMPERATURE HIGH ON THIS TOPIC.  HE IS SENDING THREE 
CABINET MEMBERS, INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE MINISTER NATHAN 
SHAMUYARIRA, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HOUSING MINISTER JOHN 
NKOMO AND MUDENGE, TO LONDON TO DISCUSS A COMPENSATION 
PLAN WITH THE BRITISH.  HE KNOWS THAT THE TALKS WILL END 
IN FAILURE BECAUSE HE HAS MADE MAXIMALIST DEMANDS THAT 
SIMPLY CANNOT BE MET: FULL PAYMENT FOR 5 MILLION 
HECTARES OF LAND TO CONSUMMATE HIS LAND REFORM AND 
RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM (THE COMMERCIAL FARMERS 
COLLECTIVELY OWN ABOUT 11 MILLION HECTARES).  WE WOULD 
WAGER THAT THE MINISTERS ARE GOING WITH THE INSTRUCTION 
TO BRING HOME ALL OR NOTHING.  IF THOSE TALKS FAIL, 
MUGABE COULD WELL POINT OUT TO HIS DOMESTIC 
CONSTITUENCY, "YOU SEE, IT WAS A WASTE OF TIME TO TALK 
TO THE BRITISH," AND PERHAPS ORDER AN EVEN MORE 
INTENSIFIED INVASION OF WHITE-OWNED LAND. 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 04        HARARE  02221  02 OF 04  251426Z 
 
-------------------------------------------- 
DOES MUGABE REALLY CONTROL THE WAR VETERANS? 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶7.  (C) JUST HOW MUCH CONTROL OVER THE "WAR VETERANS" 
MUGABE ACTUALLY HAS IS NOW THE 64,000 DOLLAR QUESTION. 
OCCUPATIONS OCCUR IN WAVES IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE 
COUNTRY, WHILE IN OTHER PARTS IT'S QUIET.  POLICE AND 
OTHER SECURITY SERVICE MEMBERS SEEM TO WATCH THE GOINGS 
ON WITHOUT HINDERING IT, BUT OCCASIONALLY COACH THE "WAR 
VETERANS" ON WHAT FARMS TO TAKE AND WHICH TO AVOID. 
INSTEAD OF RELYING ON THE GOVERNMENT OR PARTY TO 
TRANSPORT THEM, WAR VETERANS NOW HAVE "REQUISITIONED" 
VEHICLES FROM THE PROPERTIES THEY'VE OCCUPIED FOR 
MOBILITY.  MOREOVER, EMBOLDENED BY THE PROTECTION THEY 
HAVE RECEIVED FROM THE GOVERNMENT FOR THEIR MISDEEDS, 
THE WAR VETERANS HAVE TAKEN TO ISSUING THREATS ON WHICH 
THEY DELIVER.  THE TWO WHITE FARMERS RECEIVED DEATH 
THREATS BEFORE THEY WERE KILLED.  INDIVIDUALS NAMED IN A 
PURPORTED WAR VETERANS' HIT LIST, INCLUDING BUSINESSMEN 
STRIVE MASIYIWA, NIGEL CHANAKIRA, EDDIE CROSS AND ERIC 
BLOCH, TAKE THE THREATS SERIOUSLY.  MEMBERS OF THE 
OPPOSITION MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE (MDC) FEAR FOR 
THE LIFE OF ITS LEADER, MORGAN TSVANGIRAI, AND 
DELIBERATELY KEPT HIM TRAVELING OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
                           CONFIDENTIAL     PTO9668 
 
PAGE 01        HARARE  02221  03 OF 04  251426Z 
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O 251430Z APR 00 
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5844 
INFO NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE 
DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC 
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 04 HARARE 002221 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR GAYLE SMITH 
 
LONDON FOR PFLAUMER 
 
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS 
 
DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR SA/INS - STEVEN KRAFT 
 
PASS USAID FOR A/AID R. MCCALL AND AFR/SA - W. JEFFERS 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        HARARE  02221  03 OF 04  251426Z 
 
PASS USTR FOR ROSA WHITAKER 
 
USDOC FOR 4510/ITA/ANESA/OA/SMILLER 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2010 
TAGS: PGOV PINR ECON ZI
SUBJECT: MUGABE USES THE LAND ISSUE AS A SMOKESCREEN 
 
OUTSIDE ZIMBABWE UNDER HEAVY PROTECTION, AND PROVIDE 
TIGHT SECURITY FOR HIM INSIDE THE COUNTRY. 
 
¶8.  (C) THE LESSENING -- FOR NOW -- OF ATTACKS ON WHITE 
FARMERS IS WELCOME, BUT THIS HAS BEEN ACCOMPANIED BY 
CONTINUING OCCUPATIONS OF FARMS AND NEW OCCUPATIONS OF 
PREVIOUSLY UNTOUCHED PROPERTIES.  MOREOVER, THERE HAS 
BEEN AN APPARENT TACTICAL SHIFT.  AS IF RECOGNIZING THAT 
THE WHITE FARMERS ARE A MINISCULE PART OF THE 
ELECTORATE, INTIMIDATION NOW SEEMS FOCUSED ON THE BLACK 
FARM WORKERS, WHOSE LARGE NUMBERS MAKE THEIR VOTING 
PREFERENCE, IN A FREE AND FAIR ELECTION, THE REAL PRIZE. 
THESE WORKERS APPEAR TO HAVE SUFFERED INCREASING NUMBERS 
OF BEATINGS, BURNINGS, MUTILATIONS, AND VERBAL THREATS 
IN RECENT DAYS.  ACCORDING TO THE ACCOUNTS REACHING THE 
PRESS AND SOURCES OF THE EMBASSY, THESE ATTACKS HAVE 
BEEN ACCOMPANIED BY WARNINGS THAT AFFILIATION WITH THE 
MDC IS WHAT PLACES PEOPLE AT RISK; BY RECANTING AND 
SUPPORTING ZANU-PF PEOPLE CAN BUY PROTECTION.  IN ONE OF 
THE LESS VIOLENT INCIDENTS COVERED IN THE LOCAL PRESS, 
FOR EXAMPLE, ZANU-PF WORKERS DUG A PIT THEY TERMED 
"TSVANGIRAI'S GRAVE," AND FORCED FARM WORKERS TO THROW 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        HARARE  02221  03 OF 04  251426Z 
INTO IT ALL THEIR MDC MEMBERSHIP CARDS, STICKERS, 
PLACARDS, AND SO FORTH, WHICH THEN WERE BURNED. 
 
---------------------- 
THE NEIGHBORS WEIGH IN 
---------------------- 
 
¶9.  (C) WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT TRANSPIRED BETWEEN REGIONAL 
LEADERS ON THE ZIMBABWE LAND OCCUPATION ISSUE AT THE 
RECENT VICTORIA FALLS CONFERENCE, BECAUSE THE GOZ 
REFUSES TO DISCUSS THE SUBJECT WITH US (REF A).  WE 
SUSPECT, HOWEVER, THERE HAD TO HAVE BEEN AT LEAST A 
SUGGESTION FROM THE REGIONAL LEADERS THAT THE 
OCCUPATIONS, VIOLENCE AND THE ATTENDANT BAD PUBLICITY 
ARE NOT GOOD FOR THE REGION.   PRESIDENT MBEKI, FOR 
EXAMPLE, FACES LIKELY ECONOMIC FALLOUT FROM AN 
ACCELERATION OF THE ZIMBABWE MESS, AND ALREADY HAS FELT 
THE IMPACT OF THE WORLD PERCEPTION OF THE PROBLEM AS 
BEING ONE FOR ALL OF SOUTHERN AFRICA (REF B).  U.S. 
POLICYMAKERS, HOWEVER, MUST BE ALERT TO THE POSSIBILITY 
THAT THIS MESSAGE, HOWEVER DELIVERED, WAS INTERPRETED BY 
MUGABE TO MEAN THAT PUBLICITY ABOUT ATTACKS AND CHAOS 
WAS THE BAD THING.  BY SEEKING TO FRIGHTEN THE LARGELY 
VOICELESS BLACK FARM WORKERS, MUGABE MAY HAVE THUS FOUND 
A MEANS TO SLIP HIS CAMPAIGN OF INTIMIDATION BELOW THE 
RADAR SCREEN OF WORLD PRESS AND REGIONAL LEADERS, AND 
MEET HIS NEIGHBORS' CONCERNS. 
 
------------------- 
WHAT IS TO BE DONE? 
------------------- 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 04        HARARE  02221  03 OF 04  251426Z 
 
¶9.  (C) EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT MUGABE DOES YIELD TO 
PUBLIC PRESSURE.  REGIONAL LEADERS HAVE TOLD HIM TO 
ALTER HIS BEHAVIOR AND FROM EARLY SIGNS HE HAS, ALTHOUGH 
TO A MORE SINISTER MODE.  IN ADDITION TO REMAINING 
ENGAGED WITH MUGABE AND ALL RELEVANT FIGURES ACROSS THE 
POLITICAL SPECTRUM HERE, WE MUST KEEP HIS FEET TO THE 
FIRE THAT HIS CAMPAIGN IS UNACCEPTABLE.  WE HAVE ALREADY 
RECOMMENDED THAT THE PRESIDENT PLACE A CALL IN THIS 
CONNECTION TO MUGABE.  IN ADDITION TO MUGABE HEARING 
FROM HIS NEIGHBORS AND OURSELVES, A SIMILAR MESSAGE IS 
LIKELY TO BE FORTHCOMING FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION, 
POSSIBLY DELIVERED IN PERSON BY A TROIKA CONSISTING OF 
THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF PORTUGAL AND FRANCE AND THE 
HEAD OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION.  WHILE THE LATTER ARE 
DOING THE RIGHT THING, THEIR ACTION IS LIKELY TO HAVE 
MINIMAL IMPACT, AS THE MESSAGE WILL BE FROM THE RICH 
WHITE MAN'S CLUB.  A TOUGH MESSAGE THAT MUGABE CANNOT 
CONTINUE TO HIDE BEHIND A LEGITIMATE DEVELOPMENT ISSUE 
IN ORDER TO COMMIT CRIMES FROM THE COMMONWEALTH, 
HOWEVER, MIGHT BE THE WAY TO GO.  WE NOTE THAT THE 
COMMONWEALTH ACTION GROUP IS SCHEDULED TO MEET THE FIRST 
WEEK OF MAY.  WHILE DEVELOPING A CONSENSUS WITHIN 
COMMONWEALTH TO EXERT PRESSURE ON ZIMBABWE CLEARLY 
SHOULD BE A BRITISH INITIATIVE, WE OUGHT TO EXPLORE WITH 
LONDON WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN BE HELPFUL.  WE ENVISION 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
                           CONFIDENTIAL     PTO9669 
 
PAGE 01        HARARE  02221  04 OF 04  251426Z 
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O 251430Z APR 00 
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5845 
INFO NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE 
DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC 
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 04 OF 04 HARARE 002221 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR GAYLE SMITH 
 
LONDON FOR PFLAUMER 
 
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS 
 
DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR SA/INS - STEVEN KRAFT 
 
PASS USAID FOR A/AID R. MCCALL AND AFR/SA - W. JEFFERS 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        HARARE  02221  04 OF 04  251426Z 
 
PASS USTR FOR ROSA WHITAKER 
 
USDOC FOR 4510/ITA/ANESA/OA/SMILLER 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2010 
TAGS: PGOV PINR ECON ZI
SUBJECT: MUGABE USES THE LAND ISSUE AS A SMOKESCREEN 
 
SUCH HELP TO BE LOW COST AND MIGHT ENTAIL PLACING HIGH- 
LEVEL TELEPHONE CALLS TO INTERNATIONAL INTERLOCUTORS. 
AT THE SAME TIME, WE WILL BE EXPLORING WAYS LOCALLY IN 
WHICH WE CAN BRIDGE DIFFERENCES AND PROMOTE DIALOGUE 
BETWEEN ADVERSARIES, SUCH AS THE MDC AND ZANU-PF OR THE 
COMMERCIAL FARMERS' UNION AND THE GOZ. 
 
MCDONALD 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
>