VZCZCXYZ0000 
OO RUEHWEB 

DE RUEHSB #1135 3541050 
ZNR UUUUU ZZH 
O 191050Z DEC 08 
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3847

UNCLAS HARARE 001135 
 
SIPDIS 
 
AF/S FOR B. WALCH 
S/CT FOR RHONDA SHORE AND NCTC 
NCTC: RUEILB/NCTC WASHINGTON DC 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PTER ASEC ZI
SUBJECT: ZIMBABWE: 2008 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM 
 
REF: STATE 120019 
 
 
¶1. (U) Despite the Government of Zimbabwe's self-imposed 
isolation on most diplomatic issues, local intelligence and 
criminal investigative agencies were responsive to our 
counterterrorism needs. Government agencies routinely 
provided assistance by conducting investigative inquiries, 
traces, and border checks of individuals thought to be 
threats to USG facilities or personnel. However, Zimbabwe's 
continued economic decline has had a detrimental impact on 
local law enforcement and national security elements that are 
responsible for implementing and coordinating 
counterterrorism efforts. 
 
¶2. (U) Although generally cooperative, the Zimbabwe Republic 
Police (ZRP) in October suspended armed police coverage of 
the Embassy and USAID compounds in Harare. Attempts to enter 
into a dialogue with the ZRP and the Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs to resolve the issue have proven unsuccessful. 
 
¶3. (U) The Suppression of Foreign and International 
Terrorism Bill, enacted in August 2007 to combat terrorism 
and mercenary activities in Zimbabwe, has been redirected to 
suppress the political opposition. Between late October and 
early November, 15 members of the opposition Movement for 
Democratic Change (MDC) party were abducted and held 
incommunicado on allegations of receiving training in 
terrorism, sabotage, and banditry in Botswana. An additional 
15 MDC and civil society members have since been abducted by 
armed, plainclothes men. The ZRP has denied holding any of 
the abductees. 
 
¶4. (U) EMBASSY POC: ANDREW SCHUT (schutah@state.gov). 
 
 
DHANANI