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

121555Z Dec 01


                           CONFIDENTIAL     PTQ7916

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FM AMEMBASSY HARARE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0516
INFO NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
AMEMBASSY OSLO 
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 
AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM 
AMEMBASSY KINGSTON 
AMEMBASSY ABUJA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 06 HARARE 003690 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR JENDAYI FRAZER 
LONDON FOR GURNEY 
PARIS FOR NEARY 
NAIROBI FOR PFLAUMER 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL. 12/12/11 
 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PINR ZI
SUBJECT:  A/S KANSTEINER DELIVERS TOUGH MESSAGE TO 
ZIMBABWEAN OFFICIALS 
 
 
CLASSIFIED BY POLITICAL SECTION CHIEF MATT HARRINGTON. 
REASONS:  1.5 (B) AND (D). 
 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
¶1.  (C) IN MEETINGS DECEMBER 10-11 WITH SPEAKER OF 
PARLIAMENT EMMERSON MNANGAGWA, FOREIGN MINISTER STANISLAUS 
MUDENGE, AND FINANCE MINISTER SIMBA MAKONI -- AF ASSISTANT 
SECRETARY KANSTEINER EXPLAINED ZDERA AND ITS IMPLICATIONS. 
 
SIPDIS 
HE EMPHASIZED THAT THERE IS STILL TIME FOR THE GOVERNMENT 
OF ZIMBABWE TO AVOID RESTRICTIONS TARGETED AT THE RULING 
ELITE BY REDUCING VIOLENCE AND INTIMIDATION AND ENSURING 
THE ELECTORAL PROCESS IS FREE AND FAIR.  KANSTEINER SAID 
THE USG WOULD USE THE ELECTORAL NORMS AND STANDARDS 
ENDORSED IN MARCH BY THE SADC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM AS OUR 
BENCHMARKS IN ASSESSING THE FAIRNESS OF THE ELECTORAL 
PROCESS.  MNANGAGWA CLAIMED THAT THE POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT 
HAD IMPROVED CONSIDERABLY DURING THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTHS, 
AND BLAMED MOST INCIDENTS OF VIOLENCE ON THE MDC AND ITS 
SUPPORTERS.  HE PROMISED TO "STUDY" OUR CONCERNS ABOUT 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ELECTORAL ACT, AND LATER CALLED 
THE AMBASSADOR TO SAY HE AND THE PRESIDENT HAD DECIDED TO 
EXPUNGE ONE PARTICULARLY TROUBLING PROVISION.  MUDENGE WAS 
COMBATIVE, DISMISSING KANSTEINER'S REFERENCES TO PRESIDENT 
MBEKI'S RECENT EXPRESSIONS OF CONCERN ABOUT ZIMBABWE AND 
INSISTING THAT THE SADC-PF ELECTORAL NORMS AND STANDARDS 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        HARARE  03690  01 OF 06  121706Z 
DOCUMENT WAS AN "INTERNAL COMMITMENT AMONG FRIENDS" THAT 
SHOULD NOT RECEIVE SCRUTINY FROM OUTSIDE THE REGION.  THE 
FOREIGN MINISTER PRESSED FOR A LARGE U.S. ROLE IN THE DRC, 
AND SAID ZIMBABWEAN TROOPS WOULD WITHDRAW WHEN ASKED TO DO 
SO BY KINSHASA, "LUSAKA OR NO LUSAKA."  MAKONI PAINTED A 
DISMAL PICTURE OF ZIMBABWE'S SHORT-TERM ECONOMIC PROSPECTS, 
AND ENGAGED CONSTRUCTIVELY WITH US ABOUT HOW THE GOZ MIGHT 
FORESTALL IMPOSITION OF TARGETED RESTRICTIONS ON ITS 
LEADERSHIP.  END SUMMARY. 
 
ZDERA 
----- 
 
¶2.  (C) THE PASSAGE OF THE ZIMBABWE DEMOCRACY AND ECONOMIC 
RECOVERY ACT (ZDERA) SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE A/S KANSTEINER'S 
ARRIVAL ENSURED THAT ZDERA WOULD FIGURE PROMINENTLY IN HIS 
DISCUSSIONS.  THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY TOLD ALL THREE GOZ 
MINISTERS THAT ZDERA REFLECTS SERIOUS CONGRESSIONAL 
CONCERNS -- SHARED BY THE ADMINISTRATION -- ABOUT THE 
DIRECTION OF EVENTS IN ZIMBABWE.  ONCE THE SENATE AND HOUSE 
RECONCILE THE MINOR DIFFERENCES IN THEIR VERSIONS, THE 
SINGLE TEXT WILL BE SENT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR SIGNATURE 
INTO LAW.  KANSTEINER EMPHASIZED THAT ZDERA IS NOT A 
SANCTIONS BILL.  RATHER, IT INCLUDES CARROTS AND STICKS 
WHICH CAN BE USED TO INFLUENCE THE GOZ IN A POSITIVE 
DIRECTION, AND INSTRUCTS THE ADMINISTRATION TO CONSULT WITH 
KEY INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS -- THE EU, THE COMMONWEALTH, AND 
SADC -- ABOUT THEIR IMPLEMENTATION.  IF THE GOZ DOES NOT 
MEET CERTAIN BENCHMARKS -- ENSURING A RETURN TO THE RULE OF 
LAW, RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, AN END TO GOVERNMENT- 
SANCTIONED VIOLENCE, AND A FREE AND FAIR ELECTION -- THE 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 04        HARARE  03690  01 OF 06  121706Z 
USG HAS THE OPTION OF IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS ON MEMBERS OF 
ZIMBABWE'S RULING ELITE, INCLUDING TRAVEL BANS AND FREEZING 
OF ASSETS.   THERE IS STILL TIME FOR THE GOZ TO REVERSE 
COURSE AND AVOID SUCH PUNITIVE ACTION, KANSTEINER ASSERTED. 
 
¶3.  (C) SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT EMMERSON MNANGAGWA EXPRESSED 
SURPRISE THAT THE U.S. CONGRESS WOULD PASS SUCH A BILL, AS 
ZIMBABWE ASPIRES TO BE A "SHINING DEMOCRACY." THE KEY 
ACTORS WHO NEED TO ENSURE THAT THE ELECTIONS ARE FREE AND 
FAIR, ACCORDING TO MNANGAGWA, ARE ZIMBABWEANS THEMSELVES. 
IN A TENSE EXCHANGE, FM MUDENGE SAID THE BILL WAS "NOT 
HELPFUL," AND DISDAINFULLY REFERRED TO THE SECTION ON 
TARGETED PERSONAL SANCTIONS AS "JESSE HELMS-INSPIRED." 
KANSTEINER POINTED OUT THAT THE BILL HAD PASSED 
OVERWHELMINGLY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND THAT 
NOT A SINGLE MEMBER OF THE CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS HAD 
VOTED AGAINST IT.  MUDENGE SAID HE UNDERSTOOD WHERE THE 
BILL WAS COMING FROM BUT URGED THE USG TO CONVEY ITS 
CONCERNS PRIVATELY TO THE GOZ, NOT DO SO WITH GRAND 
GESTURES OR THROUGH THE MEDIA. 
 
¶4.  (C) IN A CONSTRUCTIVE AND OPEN CONVERSATION, FINANCE 
MINISTER MAKONI ASKED WHAT ZIMBABWE NEEDED TO DO TO AVOID 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
                           CONFIDENTIAL     PTQ7918 
 
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O 121555Z DEC 01 
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0517 
INFO NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE 
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
AMEMBASSY OSLO 
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 
AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM 
AMEMBASSY KINGSTON 
AMEMBASSY ABUJA 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 06 HARARE 003690 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR JENDAYI FRAZER 
LONDON FOR GURNEY 
PARIS FOR NEARY 
NAIROBI FOR PFLAUMER 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL. 12/12/11 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        HARARE  03690  02 OF 06  121707Z 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PINR ZI
SUBJECT:  A/S KANSTEINER DELIVERS TOUGH MESSAGE TO 
ZIMBABWEAN OFFICIALS 
 
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TARGETED RESTRICTIONS.  THE GOZ 
SHOULD DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO ENSURE THAT THE ELECTION 
PROCESS IS TRANSPARENT AND ABOVE BOARD, AND REDUCE VIOLENCE 
AND INTIMIDATION, KANSTEINER SAID.  THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY 
EMPHASIZED THAT THE GOZ'S OWN ACTIONS WILL DETERMINE 
WHETHER THE RESTRICTIONS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED.  "YOU HAVE 
YOUR FINGER ON THE TRIGGER," HE SAID, "AND YOU CAN 
DETERMINE WHETHER TO PULL IT." 
 
VIOLENCE 
-------- 
 
¶5.  (C) KANSTEINER SAID THE USG FULLY SHARED PRESIDENT 
MBEKI'S STRONG CONCERNS ABOUT ONGOING VIOLENCE AND 
INTIMIDATION WHICH, ALTHOUGH NOT ONE-SIDED, WAS 
PREDOMINANTLY TARGETED AGAINST OPPOSITION SUPPORTERS. 
MNANGAGWA BLAMED THE VIOLENCE ON THE MDC AND ITS 
SUPPORTERS.  ZANU-PF, HE SAID, IS THE DOMINANT PARTY WHICH 
HAS NO INTEREST IN SEEKING CONFRONTATION WITH "SMALL 
PEOPLE."  IT IS THE NEWCOMERS TO THE POLITICAL SCENE, THOSE 
STRIVING FOR POWER, WHO INITIATE SUCH PROBLEMS.  MNANGAGWA 
SAID HE THOUGHT THE POLITICAL SITUATION HAD IMPROVED DURING 
THE PAST THREE MONTHS.  NO MORE LAND INVASIONS HAVE 
OCCURRED, HE CLAIMED, AND THERE IS NOW LESS VIOLENCE ON 
FARMS.  THE AMBASSADOR RECALLED AN EARLIER CONVERSATION 
WITH MNANGAGWA IN WHICH THE SPEAKER HAD INDICATED HIS 
INTEREST IN SECURING THE AGREEMENT OF THE TWO MAJOR PARTIES 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        HARARE  03690  02 OF 06  121707Z 
TO AN ELECTORAL CODE OF CONDUCT.  SUCH AN AGREEMENT WOULD 
SEND A VERY POSITIVE SIGNAL TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, 
KANSTEINER ADDED.  MNANGAGWA REPORTED THAT ONGOING TALKS 
BETWEEN ZANU-PF AND THE MDC ARE FOCUSED ON THIS ISSUE, BUT 
HE DID NOT ELABORATE ON WHETHER MUCH PROGRESS HAD BEEN 
ACHIEVED. 
 
¶6.  (C) KANSTEINER REGISTERED HIS CONCERN WITH MNANGAGWA 
ABOUT THE CASE OF FLETCHER DULINI-NCUBE, THE MDC'S NATIONAL 
TREASURER.  DULINI-NCUBE HAS BEEN IN DETENTION SINCE MID- 
NOVEMBER, CHARGED WITH INVOLVEMENT IN THE MURDER OF LATE 
WAR VETERAN LEADER CAIN NKALA.  THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY 
SAID HE UNDERSTOOD CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS ARE ONGOING, BUT 
HE URGED THAT DULINI-NCUBE BE GRANTED BAIL IN THE INTERIM, 
AS HIS HEALTH IS APPARENTLY FAILING.  MNANGAGWA SAID IT IS 
IMPORTANT THAT THE LAW TAKE ITS COURSE AND THAT THE MDC 
OFFICIAL WOULD EVENTUALLY BE RELEASED IF ACQUITTED. 
 
¶7.  (C) FM MUDENGE STRONGLY OBJECTED TO KANSTEINER'S 
REFERENCE TO PRESIDENT MBEKI.  HE SAID HE HAD TOLD BRITISH 
FM JACK STRAW THE DAY BEFORE WHEN HE HAD MADE A SIMILAR 
COMMENT THAT STRAW DID NOT SPEAK FOR THABO MBEKI.  "WHEN I 
WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE SOUTH AFRICANS THINK, I WILL ASK 
THEM.  TODAY, I WANT TO HEAR U.S. VIEWS."  HE CLAIMED THAT 
THE GOZ HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT EFFORTS TO REDUCE VIOLENCE, 
BUT LAMENTED THAT THE TASK IS DIFFICULT SINCE LAND IS AN 
"EMOTIVE ISSUE."  SO ARE POLITICS AND ELECTIONS, KANSTEINER 
COUNTERED.  YES, MUDENGE AGREED, BUT HE NOTED THAT ZANU-PF 
HAD LOST TO THE MDC IN THE DECEMBER 8-9 MAYORAL ELECTION IN 
CHEGUTU (SEPTEL) AND WOULD LOSE THE HARARE MAYORAL 
ELECTION, DUE TO TAKE PLACE BY FEBRUARY 11.  GIVEN THE FACT 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 04        HARARE  03690  02 OF 06  121707Z 
THAT THE MDC HAS WON ALL THREE MAYORAL ELECTIONS HELD THIS 
YEAR, MUDENGE SAID THE MDC'S COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 
UNFAIRNESS OF THE ELECTORAL PROCESS ARE MERELY TACTICAL. 
 
YOU WANT RULE OF LAW, WE'LL GIVE YOU RULE OF LAW 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
¶8.  (C) A/S KANSTEINER EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT PENDING 
LEGISLATION DRAFTED BY THE GOZ.  PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE 
ELECTORAL ACT ARE VERY RESTRICTIVE -- THE MOST WORRISOME 
PROVISIONS WOULD CRIMINALIZE POLITICAL POSTERS, LIMIT VOTER 
EDUCATION, AND REQUIRE THAT ELECTION MONITORS BE DRAWN FROM 
THE RANKS OF CIVIL SERVANTS.  THE ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND 
PROTECTION OF PRIVACY BILL WAS ALSO TROUBLING, AS IT WOULD 
PLACE STRINGENT CONSTRAINTS ON THE MEDIA, REQUIRING, FOR 
INSTANCE, THE LICENSING OF JOURNALISTS BY THE MINISTER OF 
INFORMATION AND FORBIDDING ARTICLES OR POLITICAL CARTOONS 
THAT DENIGRATE OR "INCITE DISAFFECTION FOR" THE PRESIDENT 
OR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. 
 
¶9.  (C) WHEN MNANGAGWA PROFESSED IGNORANCE OF THE PROVISION 
ON POLITICAL POSTERS, THE AMBASSADOR SHOWED HIM A COPY OF 
THE TEXT.  MNANGAGWA SAID THE INTENTION OF THAT PROVISION 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
                           CONFIDENTIAL     PTQ7928 
 
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O 121555Z DEC 01 
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0518 
INFO NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE 
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
AMEMBASSY OSLO 
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 
AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM 
AMEMBASSY KINGSTON 
AMEMBASSY ABUJA 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 06 HARARE 003690 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR JENDAYI FRAZER 
LONDON FOR GURNEY 
PARIS FOR NEARY 
NAIROBI FOR PFLAUMER 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL. 12/12/11 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        HARARE  03690  03 OF 06  121708Z 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PINR ZI
SUBJECT:  A/S KANSTEINER DELIVERS TOUGH MESSAGE TO 
ZIMBABWEAN OFFICIALS 
 
WAS TO PROHIBIT THE DEFACING OF PROPERTY AND CREATION OF 
SITUATIONS THAT MIGHT ENDANGER ORDINARY CITIZENS -- SUCH AS 
COVERING TRAFFIC SIGNS WITH POLITICAL GRAFFITI.  MNANGAGWA 
THOUGHT THAT MONITORS WOULD BE DRAWN FROM THE PUBLIC AT 
LARGE, NOT JUST CIVIL SERVANTS.  WHEN THE AMBASSADOR AGAIN 
POINTED OUT THE RELEVANT PROVISION IN THE PROPOSED 
LEGISLATION, MNANGAGWA SAID HE HAD BEEN UNAWARE OF THAT 
CHANGE AND UNDERTOOK TO STUDY IT.  REGARDING INTERNATIONAL 
OBSERVERS, MNANGAGWA SAID DELEGATIONS FROM THE OAU, THE 
COMMONWEALTH, THE EU, AND THE SADC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM HAD 
OBSERVED PREVIOUS ELECTIONS, BUT HE WAS NOT SURE WHETHER 
THE EU WOULD BE INVITED THIS TIME.  MNANGAGWA SAID HE 
SUPPORTED THE PROPOSED REQUIREMENT THAT NGOS INTENDING TO 
CONDUCT VOTER EDUCATION REGISTER WITH THE ESC, WHICH WOULD 
ALSO APPROVE ANY MATERIALS THEY PLANNED TO USE.  GOVERNMENT 
HAD LITTLE CHOICE BUT TO TAKE THIS STEP, MNANGAGWA 
INSISTED, AS NGOS IN THE PAST WERE GIVEN FREE REIN TO 
CONDUCT VOTER EDUCATION CAMPAIGNS, AND SOME USED THIS 
FREEDOM TO LOBBY FOR PARTICULAR POLITICAL PARTIES. 
 
¶10.  (C) (NOTE: ASKED AT THE END OF THEIR CONVERSATION HOW 
MANY OF THE SPEAKER'S CHILDREN ARE STUDYING IN THE U.S., 
MNANGAGWA SAID TWO, BOTH AT MIDLANDS UNIVERSITY IN TEXAS. 
TWO DAYS LATER, THE SPEAKER PHONED THE AMBASSADOR TO SAY 
THAT HE AND THE PRESIDENT HAD "FIXED" THE ELECTORAL ACT 
CONCERNS WE HAD RAISED, SPECIFICALLY EXPUNGING THE 
REQUIREMENT THAT ONLY CIVIL SERVANTS COULD SERVE AS 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        HARARE  03690  03 OF 06  121708Z 
MONITORS.  HE ALSO EXPRESSED HIS OPENNESS TO FINDING A 
MECHANISM WHEREBY POLITICAL PARTIES CAN CONTRIBUTE TO ESC 
DELIBERATIONS.  END NOTE.) 
 
¶11.  (C) WHEN KANSTEINER PRAISED THE GOZ DECISION TO EXTEND 
THE VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE FROM DECEMBER 9 TO DECEMBER 
19, MUDENGE SAID ZANU-PF NEEDED MORE TIME TO GETS ITS 
SUPPORTERS REGISTERED.  THE FOREIGN MINISTER SAID SOME GOOD 
CHANGES ARE INCLUDED IN THE PROPOSED ELECTORAL ACT 
AMENDMENTS.  ONE, FOR INSTANCE, WOULD PERMIT POLITICAL 
PARTY AGENTS TO JOIN THE PRESIDING ELECTION OFFICIAL IN 
CHECKING FOR INDELIBLE INK ON THE VOTER'S HANDS -- TO 
ENSURE THEY HAVE NOT ALREADY CAST A BALLOT -- AND TO 
OBSERVE AT CLOSE-RANGE THE SEARCH FOR THE VOTER'S NAME ON 
THE REGISTER.  (NOTE: IN THE PAST, PARTY AGENTS HAVE HAD TO 
STAND ACROSS THE ROOM AS LONG-DISTANCE SPECTATORS.  END 
NOTE.)  MUDENGE SAID THE PRESIDING OFFICIAL, A POLICE 
OFFICER, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL'S 
OFFICE WOULD ENTER THE BOOTH WITH BLIND OR OTHERWISE 
INCAPACITATED VOTERS TO HELP THEM MARK THE BALLOT FOR THE 
CANDIDATE OF THEIR CHOICE.  KANSTEINER ASKED WHETHER 
MUDENGE WAS CONCERNED THAT THE THREE PEOPLE HELPING SUCH 
INDIVIDUALS TO VOTE ARE CIVIL SERVANTS WHO DEPEND ON 
GOVERNMENT FOR THEIR LIVELIHOODS.  "NO, MY FRIEND," MUDENGE 
REPLIED, "MOST CIVIL SERVANTS ARE MDC SUPPORTERS WHO WILL 
WORK TO ENSURE AN OPPOSITION VICTORY."  HE THEN TURNED TO 
THE FOUR NOTETAKERS ON EITHER SIDE OF HIM AND SAID, "I 
DON'T KNOW FOR SURE, BUT I SUSPECT THAT THESE MEMBERS OF MY 
STAFF PROBABLY WILL VOTE FOR THE MDC."  IT WOULD BE HARD TO 
SELL THAT ARGUMENT TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, 
KANSTEINER WARNED. 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 04        HARARE  03690  03 OF 06  121708Z 
 
¶12.  (C) MUDENGE CLAIMED THAT THE ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND 
PROTECTION OF PRIVACY BILL WAS MODELED CLOSELY ON SIMILAR 
LEGISLATION IN SOUTH AFRICA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM.  TAKING 
THE WORST OF TWO PIECES OF LEGISLATION IS NOT NECESSARILY 
THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION, KANSTEINER REMARKED.  THE 
FOREIGN MINISTER SAID THE PRESS SEEMED MOST WORRIED BY THE 
PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT OF A MEDIA ETHICS COMMISSION, WHICH 
WILL ENSURE THAT WHAT JOURNALISTS WRITE IS TRUTHFUL. 
STRAIGHT-FACED, THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY SAID HE WAS WORRIED 
ABOUT THE DRAFT LAW'S IMPACT ON THE (GOVERNMENT-CONTROLLED) 
"THE HERALD," SINCE POLITICAL PARTIES WON'T BE PERMITTED TO 
RUN NEWSPAPERS AND "THE HERALD" IS AN INSTRUMENT OF ZANU- 
PF.  "THE HERALD" IS PART OF THE PUBLIC MEDIA, MUDENGE 
RETORTED -- "WE DON'T RUN NEWSPAPERS."  HE DISMISSED 
CONCERNS ABOUT MEDIA FREEDOM, SAYING ZANU-PF REGULARLY GETS 
"SLAUGHTERED" BY THE INDEPENDENT PRESS.  "THESE PEOPLE HAVE 
THE FREEDOM TO SAY WHATEVER THEY WANT."  KANSTEINER 
EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT JOHANNESBURG-BASED CORRESPONDENTS 
FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES AND THE WASHINGTON POST WERE 
RECENTLY DENIED ZIMBABWEAN VISAS.  MUDENGE SAID HE WAS 
UNFAMILIAR WITH THEIR CASES. 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
                           CONFIDENTIAL     PTQ7929 
 
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O 121555Z DEC 01 
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0519 
INFO NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE 
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
AMEMBASSY OSLO 
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 
AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM 
AMEMBASSY KINGSTON 
AMEMBASSY ABUJA 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 04 OF 06 HARARE 003690 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR JENDAYI FRAZER 
LONDON FOR GURNEY 
PARIS FOR NEARY 
NAIROBI FOR PFLAUMER 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL. 12/12/11 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        HARARE  03690  04 OF 06  121709Z 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PINR ZI
SUBJECT:  A/S KANSTEINER DELIVERS TOUGH MESSAGE TO 
ZIMBABWEAN OFFICIALS 
 
¶13.  (C) MAKONI SUGGESTED THAT COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 
ELECTORAL ACT AMENDMENTS ARE UNFORTUNATE, AS THE GOZ IS 
TRYING TO STRENGTHEN THE ESC BY GIVING IT MORE STATUTORY 
AUTHORITY AND MORE RESOURCES, SO THAT IT CAN ENSURE THE 
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IS BEYOND REPROACH.  HE ASKED WHY THE 
ESC WAS NOT CONSIDERED INDEPENDENT, AND THE AMBASSADOR 
RESPONDED THAT THERE IS NO OPPORTUNITY FOR POLITICAL 
PARTIES TO HAVE INPUT.  MAKONI SAID HE DID NOT WANT TO 
DISMISS USG CONCERNS, BUT HE THOUGHT THAT LACK OF TRUST AND 
CONFIDENCE IN THE SYSTEM WERE THE REAL PROBLEM, NOT 
NECESSARILY THE SUBSTANCE OF THE DRAFT LEGISLATION.  HE 
THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA IF GOVERNMENT SAT DOWN WITH 
KEY STAKEHOLDERS TO WALK THROUGH THESE ISSUES.  PERHAPS, AS 
A STARTING POINT, MNANGAGWA -- AS THE RULING PARTY'S 
SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATION -- AND MDC SECRETARY-GENERAL 
 
SIPDIS 
WELSHMAN NCUBE COULD REACH AGREEMENT ON HOW THE TWO PARTIES 
CAN COMPETE FAIRLY.  THE AMBASSADOR SUGGESTED THAT ONE WAY 
TO ADDRESS THE LACK OF CONFIDENCE WOULD BE TO ALLOW 
REPRESENTATIVES OF BOTH MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES TO SIT ON 
THE ESC. 
 
SADC ELECTORAL NORMS AND STANDARDS 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶14.  (C) KANSTEINER TOLD HIS INTERLOCUTORS THE USG WOULD 
USE THE ELECTORAL NORMS AND STANDARDS ENDORSED IN MARCH 
2001 BY THE SADC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM -- IN A GATHERING 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        HARARE  03690  04 OF 06  121709Z 
ATTENDED BY MNANGAGWA -- AS ITS BENCHMARKS FOR ASSESSING 
THE ELECTORAL PROCESS.  BALANCED ACCESS TO THE MEDIA FOR 
ALL POLITICAL PARTIES WAS ONE IMPORTANT POINT ADDRESSED IN 
THE SADC-PF DOCUMENT, AND AN ISSUE WE AND OTHERS IN THE 
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WILL WATCH CLOSELY AS AN INDICATION 
OF THE FAIRNESS OF THE PROCESS.  YES, MNANGAGWA SAID, HE 
HAD ATTENDED THAT MEETING BUT WAS NOT SURE WHERE THE GOZ 
STOOD ON THOSE NORMS AND STANDARDS.   MNANGAGWA DECLARED 
THAT, AFTER THE ELECTION DATES ARE ANNOUNCED, POLITICAL 
PARTIES WILL BE ALLOCATED FREE RADIO AND TELEVISION TIME 
ACCORDING TO THE PERCENTAGE OF SEATS THEY HOLD IN 
PARLIAMENT.  ANY PARTY THAT WANTS ADDITIONAL TIME CAN 
PURCHASE IT. 
 
¶15.  (C) MUDENGE WAS NOT INTERESTED IN DISCUSSING THE SADC- 
PF'S ELECTORAL NORMS.  "PLEASE LEAVE OUT OUR COMMITMENTS TO 
OUR SADC FRIENDS," HE SAID POINTEDLY.  "THAT'S AN INTERNAL 
DOCUMENT.  WE HAVE WAYS OF HELPING EACH OTHER BECAUSE WE 
WANT TO GROW AS A REGION."  KANSTEINER AGREED WITH 
MUDENGE'S LATTER POINT, SAYING THAT WAS PART OF THE REASON 
PRESIDENT MBEKI SEEMED SO CONCERNED ABOUT EVENTS IN 
ZIMBABWE.  "LEAVE MBEKI," MUDENGE ASSERTED.  "I SPEAK TO 
HIS MINISTER REGULARLY BUT, NOW, I WANT TO HEAR YOUR 
CONCERNS."  "OUR CONCERNS ARE THEIR CONCERNS," KANSTEINER 
REPLIED.  THE FOREIGN MINISTER SAID SOUTH AFRICA IS 
"TOTALLY OPPOSED" TO THE SANCTIONS THE UNITED STATES HAD 
PLACED ON ZIMBABWE, WHICH HURTS ZIMBABWEANS AND DOES NOT 
HELP OUR BILATERAL DIALOGUE.  KANSTEINER REITERATED THAT 
THE USG HAS NOT IMPOSED SANCTIONS ON ZIMBABWE.  ZDERA 
RECOMMENDS IMPOSITION OF RESTRICTIONS ON THE RULING ELITE, 
WHICH MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR FAILURE TO ADDRESS 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 04        HARARE  03690  04 OF 06  121709Z 
THE CONCERNS OF THE ZIMBABWEAN PEOPLE.  "WE HAVE NOT 
FAILED," MUDENGE INSISTED, BLAMING THE COUNTRY'S ECONOMIC 
DIFFICULTIES ON FLUCTUATIONS IN WORLD COMMODITY PRICES. 
"THAT'S WHAT'S KILLING US," HE SAID.  KANSTEINER REPLIED 
THAT HIS OWN MACROECONOMIC ANALYSIS WOULD BE DIFFERENT, AND 
MAINTAINED THAT ZIMBABWE'S ECONOMIC DECLINE HAS BEEN CAUSED 
PRIMARILY BY GOVERNMENT MISMANAGEMENT. 
 
DRC 
--- 
 
¶16.  (C) KANSTEINER ATTRIBUTED PART OF ZIMBABWE'S ECONOMIC 
DECLINE TO THE GOVERNMENT'S INVOLVEMENT IN THE DRC.  "YOUR 
PEOPLE HAVE PAID A HIGH PRICE FOR THAT MILITARY 
INVOLVEMENT," KANSTEINER SAID, THROUGH WHICH THE GOZ HAD 
ESSENTIALLY PLACED SANCTIONS ON ITS OWN PEOPLE.  MUDENGE 
CONTENDED THAT THE GOZ HAD ENTERED THE CONFLICT IN THE DRC 
AS A WAY TO THANK AFRICA FOR HELPING ZIMBABWEANS DURING 
THEIR LIBERATION STRUGGLE.  KANSTEINER SAID THE GOZ NEEDED 
TO DO A BETTER JOB OF EXPLAINING THE REASONS FOR ITS DRC 
INVOLVEMENT TO THE ZIMBABWEAN PEOPLE.   IF ZIMBABWEAN 
TROOPS WITHDRAW, MUDENGE REPLIED, THEN THE GOVERNMENT WOULD 
COLLAPSE.  "THEN WHAT WOULD OUR COMMITMENT THERE HAVE 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
                           CONFIDENTIAL     PTQ7931 
 
PAGE 01        HARARE  03690  05 OF 06  121710Z 
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O 121555Z DEC 01 
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0520 
INFO NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE 
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
AMEMBASSY OSLO 
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 
AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM 
AMEMBASSY KINGSTON 
AMEMBASSY ABUJA 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 05 OF 06 HARARE 003690 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR JENDAYI FRAZER 
LONDON FOR GURNEY 
PARIS FOR NEARY 
NAIROBI FOR PFLAUMER 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL. 12/12/11 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        HARARE  03690  05 OF 06  121710Z 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PINR ZI
SUBJECT:  A/S KANSTEINER DELIVERS TOUGH MESSAGE TO 
ZIMBABWEAN OFFICIALS 
 
ACCOMPLISHED?"  HE REMINDED KANSTEINER THAT ZIMBABWE WAS IN 
DRC AT THE REQUEST OF THE KINSHASA GOVERNMENT AND WOULD 
WITHDRAW AS SOON AS KINSHASA ASKED THEM TO, "LUSAKA OR NO 
LUSAKA." 
 
¶17. (C) MUDENGE SAID THAT, ALTHOUGH WE MAY HAVE OUR 
DIFFERENCES ON DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS IN ZIMBABWE, THE GOZ 
WANTS VERY MUCH TO WORK WITH THE UNITED STATES TO ENSURE 
STABILITY IN THE DRC.  THE GOZ WANTED THE USG INVOLVED "IN 
A BIG WAY," AS IT WAS THE ONLY COUNTRY THAT CAN MAKE A REAL 
DIFFERENCE THERE.  HE SAID THE GOZ REGULARLY INCORPORATES 
OUR NON-PAPERS AND OTHER INFORMATION WE SHARE INTO THEIR 
THINKING, AND SAID HE WAS AVAILABLE ANY TIME TO EXCHANGE 
IDEAS ON THE WAY FORWARD.  KANSTEINER REPORTED THAT 
PRESIDENT BUSH HAD HAD A GOOD MEETING IN NEW YORK WITH 
PRESIDENT KABILA, AND HAD ENCOURAGED HIM TO PRESS FORWARD 
ON THE INTERNAL DIALOGUE.  MUDENGE SAID HE WAS DISAPPOINTED 
TO HEAR THAT PRESIDENT MASIRE DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT 
RESOURCES, AND INDICATED THAT A SADC MEETING MIGHT BE 
CALLED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.  KANSTEINER SAID THE USG HAS 
GIVEN HIM SOME RESOURCES AND HE UNDERSTOOD THAT THE SOUTH 
AFRICANS MAY HELP OUT AS WELL.  "LET'S NOT DUMP THIS IN THE 
LAP OF THE SOUTH AFRICANS," MUDENGE DECLARED.  IF THE UN 
SECURITY COUNCIL CANNOT COME UP WITH $6 MILLION FOR MASIRE, 
THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS SHOWING A REAL LACK OF 
COMMITMENT.  THAT'S WHY THE UNITED STATES WOULD HELP, 
REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE UNSC DOES, KANSTEINER SAID.  MUDENGE 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        HARARE  03690  05 OF 06  121710Z 
REPORTED THAT THE GOZ IS TRYING TO IMPROVE RELATIONS WITH 
RWANDA AND HAS HAD A NUMBER OF MEETINGS WITH JEAN-PIERRE 
BEMBA.  ASKED HIS IMPRESSIONS OF BEMBA, MUDENGE CHUCKLED 
AND SAID HE IS A "YOUNG MAN WHO KNOWS WHAT HE WANTS." 
 
THE BRITS ARE AGAINST US 
------------------------ 
 
¶18.  (C) MUDENGE CRITICIZED THE GOZ'S FAVORITE WHIPPING 
BOY, THE BRITISH, SAYING THE UK HAS "DESTABILIZED THE 
LANDSCAPE" BY FUNDING THE OPPOSITION MDC.  BY BETTING ON 
OUR ENEMIES, THEY HAVE MADE THEMSELVES THE GOZ'S ENEMIES. 
KANSTEINER EMPHASIZED THAT WE COULD NOT CARE LESS WHO WINS 
THE ELECTION.  WE DO CARE HOW THE GAME IS PLAYED, HOWEVER, 
AND HOW THE TRANSITION IS MANAGED.  THERE WON'T BE A 
TRANSITION, MUDENGE REPLIED, BECAUSE ZANU-PF WILL WIN THE 
ELECTION. 
 
GLOOMY ECONOMIC PICTURE 
----------------------- 
 
¶19.  (C) MAKONI PRESENTED A GLOOMY PICTURE OF ZIMBABWE'S 
MACROECONOMIC SITUATION.  HE EXPECTED A SIGNIFICANT DECLINE 
IN PLANTING OF KEY CROPS: THE NUMBER OF HECTARES OF TOBACCO 
(ZIMBABWE'S PRIMARY FOREIGN EXCHANGE EARNER) PLANTED IS 
DOWN 25 PERCENT OVER LAST YEAR, WHILE MAIZE PLANTINGS IN 
COMMERCIAL FARMING AREAS ARE DOWN 40 PERCENT.  HE HAD HOPED 
THE SHORTFALL IN MAIZE PLANTINGS WOULD BE MADE UP IN 
COMMUNAL AND RESETTLEMENT AREAS, BUT HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT 
THIS WAS STILL AN OPEN QUESTION.  THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT 
MAIZE PRODUCTION WOULD FALL SIGNIFICANTLY SHORT OF THE 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 04        HARARE  03690  05 OF 06  121710Z 
ANNUAL CONSUMPTION REQUIREMENT OF 2.2 MILLION TONS.  THE 
IMPOSITION OF PRICE CONTROLS HAD NOT HELPED MATTERS, MAKONI 
SAID, AS BOTH COMMERCIAL AND SMALL-SCALE MAIZE FARMERS ARE 
LIKELY HOLDING ONTO THEIR PRODUCT UNTIL THE PRICE IS RIGHT. 
 
¶20.  (C) THE FINANCE MINISTER SAID HE WAS WORRIED ABOUT THE 
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE FAST TRACK EFFORT, AND HAD URGED HIS 
COLLEAGUES TO SHOW FLEXIBILITY IN IMPLEMENTING IT.  GOZ 
RHETORIC NOTWITHSTANDING, ONE COULD COUNT THE NUMBER OF 
FARMERS WHO HAD INHERITED THEIR PROPERTIES ON ONE HAND. 
MOST COMMERCIAL FARMERS HAD BOUGHT THEIR LAND SINCE 
INDEPENDENCE IN 1980, AFTER OBTAINING A CERTIFICATE OF NO 
INTEREST FROM THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT.  MAKONI SAID HE 
WANTED COMMERCIAL FARMERS TO BE ABLE TO REINVEST EARNINGS, 
NOT BE FORCED INTO DESTITUTION.  WHILE THERE CERTAINLY IS 
AN ISSUE OF HISTORICAL INJUSTICE, THE GOZ NEEDS TO KEEP 
THAT IN PERSPECTIVE.  SOME IN GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT BE SO 
FRANK, MAKONI ADMITTED, BUT HE WAS THE ONE DEALING WITH THE 
NUTS AND BOLTS OF THE COUNTRY'S ENORMOUS ECONOMIC 
DIFFICULTIES.  THE MINISTER EXPRESSED SERIOUS CONCERN ABOUT 
THE EXPOSURE OF ZIMBABWEAN BANKS, MOST OF WHICH HOLD 
SIGNIFICANT AGRICULTURAL LOAN PORTFOLIOS. 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
                           CONFIDENTIAL     PTQ7930 
 
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O 121555Z DEC 01 
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0521 
INFO NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE 
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
AMEMBASSY OSLO 
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 
AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM 
AMEMBASSY KINGSTON 
AMEMBASSY ABUJA 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 06 OF 06 HARARE 003690 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR JENDAYI FRAZER 
LONDON FOR GURNEY 
PARIS FOR NEARY 
NAIROBI FOR PFLAUMER 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL. 12/12/11 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        HARARE  03690  06 OF 06  121709Z 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PINR ZI
SUBJECT:  A/S KANSTEINER DELIVERS TOUGH MESSAGE TO 
ZIMBABWEAN OFFICIALS 
 
COMMENT 
------- 
 
¶21.  (C) WE BELIEVE THE THREE MINISTERS -- ALL OF WHOM SIT 
ON THE RULING PARTY'S SUPREME DECISION-MAKING BODY, THE 
POLITBURO -- HEARD AND ABSORBED A/S KANSTEINER'S POINTED 
MESSAGE: THAT GOZ ACTIONS ALONE WOULD DETERMINE WHETHER 
RESTRICTIONS WOULD BE IMPOSED ON KEY MEMBERS OF THE 
LEADERSHIP AND THAT THERE WAS STILL TIME TO AVOID SUCH 
MEASURES.  MNANGAGWA'S QUICK ACTION ON THE CIVIL 
SERVANT/MONITOR ISSUE SUGGESTS THAT THE MESSAGE GOT 
THROUGH, AS WE SUSPECT HE WAS INSPIRED IN PART BY CONCERN 
THAT HIS CHILDREN'S STUDIES IN TEXAS MIGHT BE ENDED 
PREMATURELY.  HIS REACTION INDICATES THAT THE THREAT OF 
RESTRICTIONS MIGHT INDEED BE EFFECTIVE IN ELICITING SOME 
POSITIVE POLICY CHANGES HERE. 
 
¶22.  (C) MUDENGE SEEMED LESS ARROGANT AND MORE DEFENSIVE 
THAN IN PREVIOUS MEETINGS WITH US, PERHAPS REFLECTING A 
REALIZATION THAT HIS NORMALLY OVER-THE-TOP AGGRESSIVE STYLE 
HAS ONLY WORSENED THE GOZ'S ISOLATION, AS REGIONAL AND 
INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE ON THE MUGABE REGIME GROWS MORE 
INTENSE.  PRESIDENT MBEKI'S RECENT CRITICISMS CLEARLY 
TOUCHED A RAW NERVE IN THE GOZ LEADERSHIP, JUDGING FROM 
MUDENGE'S STRONG REACTION, BECAUSE SUCH PUBLIC CANDOR FROM 
ZIMBABWE'S NEIGHBORS UNDERMINES MUGABE'S ATTEMPTS TO 
PORTRAY HIMSELF AS A DEFENDER OF BLACK AFRICAN INTERESTS. 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        HARARE  03690  06 OF 06  121709Z 
OUR MEETING WITH MAKONI WAS A BREATH OF FRESH AIR.  HE IS 
BRIGHT, POLITICALLY MODERATE, AND WILLING TO ENGAGE IN A 
GENUINE DIALOGUE ABOUT HOW TO EXTRICATE ZIMBABWE FROM ITS 
CURRENT MESS.  IT IS TOO BAD HE DOESN'T HAVE MORE INFLUENCE 
WITH THE OLD MAN AND OTHER RULING PARTY HARDLINERS, WHO ARE 
OFTEN IRRITATED BY MAKONI'S WILLINGNESS TO CALL THINGS AS 
HE SEES THEM IN PUBLIC. 
 
¶23.  (U) A/S KANSTEINER WAS NOT ABLE TO CLEAR THIS CABLE 
BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE. 
 
SULLIVAN 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
>