O 232237Z MAR 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY PRETORIA IMMEDIATE

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 027831 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/18/2019 
TAGS: OVIP CLINTON HILLARY PREL PGOV PHUM UNSC SF
SUBJECT: (C) Secretary Clinton's March 19, 2009 Meeting 
with South African Foreign Minister Dlamini-Zuma. 
 
¶1. (C) Classified by:  Acting Assistant Secretary 
Phillip Carter, Bureau of African Affairs, Department of 
State - Reason 1.4 (d) 
 
¶2. (U) March 19, 2009, 2:30 p.m., Washington, DC. 
 
¶3. (U) Participants: 
 
United States 
The Secretary 
Acting Assistant Secretary Phillip Carter, AF 
Acting Assistant Secretary Robert A. Wood, PA 
Joe Macmanus, Executive Assistant, S Staff 
Rush Marburg, AF Notetaker 
 
South Africa 
Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, DFA 
UN Permanent Representative, Ambassador Sipho G. Nene 
Ambassador Welile Nhlapo, South African Embassy, USA 
Fadl Nacerodien, Director, USA Desk, DFA 
 
 
¶4. (C) SUMMARY.  On March 19, 2009, Secretary Clinton 
hosted South African Foreign Minister Dlamini-Zuma for 
discussions that included broadly enhanced bilateral 
engagement, the status of the World Conference Against 
Racism Durban review document, the current situation in 
Zimbabwe and existing United States sanctions, 
deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Sudan and 
multilateral nonproliferation engagement.  Secretary 
Clinton acknowledged the importance of the United States - 
South Africa bilateral relationship and urged Foreign 
Minister Dlamini-Zuma and the South African government to 
take a leadership role in helping address broad African 
challenges in the areas of health, economic development 
and regional conflict in Sudan and Zimbabwe.  Other topics 
of discussion included the upcoming South African 
elections, renewable energy, education and the need to 
stimulate agricultural growth both in South Africa and the 
region.  END SUMMARY. 
 
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BILATERAL COOPERATION: MOVING FORWARD 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  (C) Secretary Clinton proposed a new working group 
model for continued dialogue between the United States and 
South Africa involving all levels of government  on 
bilateral issues.  The Secretary  expressed our desire to 
engage in areas of trade and investment, energy technology 
development, renewable and alternate fuel research and 
electricity and power.  FM Dlamini-Zuma welcomed this 
suggestion and noted that our ongoing collaboration in 
HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and health issues demonstrates that 
we can work cooperatively on achieving shared objectives. 
Secretary Clinton suggested that a new working group model 
could build partnerships for the long term. 
 
¶6.  (C) FM Dlamini-Zuma expressed a desire to strengthen 
trade and economic ties with the United States, and noted 
that the U.S. is South Africa's  second largest trading 
partner.  Dlamini-Zuma asserted that economic cooperation 
with the United States is a top priority, which we can 
improve upon.   Dlamini-Zuma also noted South Africa's 
interest in working with other countries to develop its 
agricultural capacity.  On education, she cautioned that 
South Africa cannot grow economically with a poorly 
educated work force and cited the need for improved higher 
education institutions in her country. 
 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
WORLD CONFERENCE AGAINST RACISM - DURBAN REVIEW 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶7.  (C) Dlamini-Zuma provided an update on recent Geneva- 
based meetings on the Durban review document and invited 
USG engagement moving forward.  She noted that many of the 
areas of concern to the United States had been addressed 
and/or removed from the document.  In support of this 
claim,  Dlamini-Zuma identified changes in the language on 
anti-Zionism, sexual orientation, and the removal of anti- 
Israeli text.  Dlamini-Zuma added that the document has 
been reduced from 63 to 17 pages in length, and noted that 
much progress has been made on the language.  Dlamini-Zuma 
suggested that, if the United States decides to reengage, 
South Africa is willing to dispatch its team to meet with 
USG counterparts to work cooperatively.  Secretary Clinton 
thanked Dlamini-Zuma for her efforts and agreed that 
racism remains a serious problem and challenge.  The 
Secretary urged that any Durban follow-on discussions 
should focus on addressing the problem of racism, as 
opposed to politicizing it. 
 
------------------------ 
ZIMBABWE: OUR COMMITMENT 
------------------------ 
 
¶8.  (C) Secretary Clinton explained that USG sanctions on 
Zimbabwe will remain in place as reflected in President 
Obama's recent decision to renew the national emergency 
declaration with regard to Zimbabwe.  The Secretary 
noted, however, that USG aid relief to Zimbabwe will 
continue as we attempt to address the suffering of the 
Zimbabwean people.  Dlamini-Zuma agreed that the situation 
in Zimbabwe is not easily solved.  Recounting a recent 
trip to South Africa by Zimbabwean government leaders, 
notably Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Finance 
Minister Tendai Biti, Dlamini-Zuma said that new members 
of the coalition government are working with President 
Mugabe's faction to create a plan to kick-start the 
economy.  Dlamini-Zuma suggested the USG could help by 
establishing agricultural lines of credit for Zimbabwean 
commercial farmers to help stimulate the agricultural 
sector.  Dlamini-Zuma suggested this could be achieved, 
transparently, through the Zimbabwean agricultural unions 
that maintain independence from the Zimbabwe government. 
Equally important, Dlamini-Zuma argued, is the need for 
loans to help small businesses bounce back in the new 
Zimbabwe economy.  Secretary Clinton expressed a desire to 
see the power-sharing agreement work and said that 
division of responsibilities is important as Zimbabwe 
moves forward to heal the wounds of the past. 
 
--------------------------------------------- - 
SUDAN: URGE THE SUDANESE TO ALLOW NGO PRESENCE 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
¶9.  (C) Secretary Clinton expressed concern with the 
deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sudan following 
the expulsion of non-government organizations (NGOs) and 
informed Dlamini-Zuma that the U.S. intends to hold 
President Omar al-Bashir accountable for ignoring the 
needs of his people and not filling the void left by the 
departed NGOs.  Secretary Clinton informed Dlamini-Zuma 
that President Obama has just named a Special Envoy for 
Sudan and suggested the envoy could engage with President 
Mbeki, who has just been appointed by the African Union 
(AU) to a special position to work on Darfur.  Dlamini- 
Zuma said the South African government is attempting to 
encourage the Sudanese government to allow the return of 
at least some of the NGOs, and that her government is 
looking at ways to discourage President al-Bashir from 
chasing more aid workers from Sudan. She stressed, 
however, that the South African government remains equally 
concerned with the North-South peace agreement and 
prospects for sustainability.  Dlamini-Zuma mentioned 
South African engagement with the Southern Sudanese, 
through training and education exchanges, which has helped 
build their capacity to effectively run government and 
public services. 
 
-------------------------------------- 
NONPROLIFERATION: CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶10.  (C) Secretary Clinton invited South Africa to remain 
engaged in multilateral discussions on the Nuclear Non- 
Proliferation Treaty (NPT).  Noting South Africa's 
importance as one of the leading Non-Aligned Movement 
voices, the Secretary said that South Africa's input will 
be valuable as we push for a new framework for the 2010 
NPT Review Conference.  Dlamini-Zuma welcomed the 
invitation and reiterated South Africa's strong position 
against nuclear arms development and the need for strong 
international controls on the development of nuclear 
technologies. 
 
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CLOSING 
------- 
 
¶11.  (C) CONCLUSION: Both Secretary Clinton and Dlamini- 
Zuma reaffirmed their strong commitment to work together 
and to move the bilateral relationship forward.  Secretary 
Clinton thanked Dlamini-Zuma for agreeing to travel to the 
United States to meet, and said that the USG intends to 
send a high-level delegation to South Africa for the 
inauguration of the new president on May 9.  Dlamini-Zuma 
welcomed this news and left an open invitation for 
Secretary Clinton to visit South Africa in the near 
future. 
 
 
CLINTON