THE GUERILLA WAR FOR LAND IN ZIMABABWE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 HARARE 002205 SIPDIS STATE FOR AF A/S SUSAN RICE, OAS POWELL, AF/S NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR GAYLE SMITH LONDON FOR PFLAUMER PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/23/10 TAGS: PGOV PREL EAGR PINR ZI SUBJECT: THE GUERILLA WAR FOR LAND IN ZIMABABWE CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 HARARE 02205 01 OF 04 241249Z CONTINUES CLASSIFIEO BY AMBASSAOOR TOM MCDONALD, REASONS 1.5 (B),(0) REF: HARARE 2202 ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: IN A THREE HOUR MEETING NEARLY HALF OF WHICH WAS SPENT ON LANO, PRESIDENT MUGABE TOLD US THAT LANO ACQUISITION WAS AN OVERDUE MATTER OF ACHIEVING JUSTICE AND ESCAPING FROM UNOER THE YOKE OF COLONIALISM THAT THE PEOPLE OF ZIMBABWE NOW OEMANO. THE WAR VET'S OCCUPATIONS, WHICH HE SUPPORTS BUT OID NOT INITIATE, ARE A DEMONSTRATION OF "PRACTICAL SELF-HELP." WE BELIEVE THAT IN CONDONING THE VET'S ACTIONS HE HAS UNLEASHEO A FORCE THAT IS POWERFUL, DANGEROUS, EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND A THREAT TO THE PRESIDENT'S IRON GRIP. ZIMBABWE'S GUERILLAS ARE OPERATING AGAIN IN ZIMBABWE. HAVING UNCHAINED SUCH A FORCE, HE NOW NEEDS TO BUY IT OFF, MOST LIKELY WITH LAND HAVING ALREADY EXERCISED THE CASH OPTION, IF HE IS TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OVER THE REINS OF POWER. ¶2. (C) THE PRESIDENT IS ADAMANT THAT BRITAIN MUST PAY FOR LAND ACQUISITION AS, ACCORDING TO HIM, THEY COMMITTED TO IT AT LANCASTER HOUSE IN ¶1980. IF THEY DO NOT PROVIDE FUNDS, COMPULSORY ACQUISITION WITHOUT COMPENSATION WILL GO AHEAD. THE COMMERCIAL FARMERS, WHO RETAIN THE MENTALITY CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 03 HARARE 02205 01 OF 04 241249Z OF BRITISH COLONIZERS ACCOROING TO PRESIDENT MUGABE, HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY NEED TO OFFER UP AS A GOOD FAITH GESTURE ALL 841 FARMS PREVIOUSLY DESIGNATED BY THE GOZ FOR ACQUISITION. NEITHER THE POLICE NOR MILTTARY WILL BE USED TO EVICT THE FARM INVADERS, ACCOROING TO MUGABE, AS THEY ARE MERELY "FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE." END SUMMARY. WE HAVE WAITED TOO LONG ¶3. (C) DURING THE EVENING OF APRIL 22 PRESIDENT ROBERT MUGABE, UNACCOMPANIED BUT FOR A NOTETAKER, SPENT THREE HOURS PLUS DISCUSSING THE PRIOR DAYS MINI-SUMMIT OF REGIONAL LEADERS AT VICTORIA FALLS, THE CONGO PEACE PROCESS AND ZIMBABWE'S LAND ISSUE WITH U.S. OFFICIALS. THE U.S. GROUP CONSISTED OF S/E HOWARD WOLPE, AMBASSADOR MCDONALD, LT. COL. GADDIS, SPECIAL ADVISOR PRENDERGAST AND ECONOFF NOTETAKER. AFTER THE INITIAL 20 MINUTES SPENT DESCRIBING THE VICTORIA FALLS GATHERING AND PROGRESS MADE THERE ON THE CONGO ISSUE MUGABE, WITHOUT A PROMPT FROM US, LAUNCHED INTO A 45-MINUTE HISTORICAL TOUR OF ZIMBABWE'S LAND ISSUE COVERING THE PRE-RHODES' DAYS TO THE PRESENT. DETAILED AND FULL OF MINUTIA (THE PRESIDENT WAS A SCHOOLTEACHER FOR YEARS BEFORE AND DURING THE LIBERATION STRUGGLE), THE MESSAGE WAS THAT HISTORY SAW THE LAND STOLEN FROM THE BLACKS WITH CONTROL CONSOLIDATED BY THE BRITISH WITH VICIOUS DISREGARD FOR THE RIGHTS OF BLACKS, A STATE THAT CONTINUES TODAY WITH ACTIVE CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 04 HARARE 02205 01 OF 04 241249Z BRITISH SPONSORSHIP. BRITAIN TO BLAME ¶4. (C) DURING THE LANCASTER HOUSE NEGOTIATIONS A WEEK WAS SPENT STUCK ON THE LAND COMPENSATION ISSUE. PRESIDENT CARTER HELPED BREAK THE DEADLOCK, AND THE RESULT WAS A 10-YEAR PERIOD WHEN THE PROSCRIBED RULE OF WILLING SELLER- WILLING BUYER WAS IN EFFECT, WITH BRITAIN SUPPOSED TO BE PAYING FOR THE LAND. THE PROBLEM IS THE ENGLISH NEVER HONORED THEIR OBLIGATIONS, MUGABE TOLD US: THE THATCHER GOVERNMENT WAS LUKEWARM; JOHN MAJOR'S ADMINISTRATION WAS COLD; AND BLAIR'S LABOR LEADERSHIP OUTRIGHT ICY. THE ZIMBABWEAN PRESIDENT LAMENTED TO US THAT THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER BLAIR HAD NEVER SPENT QUALITY ONE-ON-ONE TIME WITH HIM (HAVING STIFFED MUGABE ON AN OFFICIAL VISIT AFTER INVITING HIM), AND COULD ONLY SPARE THE SENIOR AFRICAN STATESMAN 10-15 MINUTES ONCE ON A PRODUCTION LINE BASIS DURING A EUROPE/AFRICA SUMMIT. "I HAVE SPENT MORE TIME WITH CLINTON" HE SNIFFED, "AND HAVE EVEN MET WITH CHIRAC FOUR TIMES -- THOUGH HIS TIME IN OFFICE IS LESS THAN BLAIR'S." THE LONG CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PTQ6076 PAGE 01 HARARE 02205 02 OF 04 241249Z ACTION AF-00 INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AGRE-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 SMEC-00 COME-00 DINT-00 DODE-00 DOEE-00 DOTE-00 WHA-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 EUR-01 FAAE-00 FBIE-00 VC-01 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 L-00 AC-01 DCP-01 NSAE-00 OMB-01 OPIC-01 PA-00 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00 SP-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 DRL-02 G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /009W -------------- 4F30F3 241252Z /38 P 241252Z APR 00 FM AMEMBASSY HARARE TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5828 SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PRIORITY NSC WASHDC PRIORITY AMEMBASSY LONDON AMEMBASSY PARIS C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 04 HARARE 002205 SIPDIS STATE FOR AF A/S SUSAN RICE, OAS POWELL, AF/S NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR GAYLE SMITH LONDON FOR PFLAUMER PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/23/10 TAGS: PGOV PREL EAGR PINR ZI SUBJECT: THE GUERILLA WAR FOR LAND IN ZIMABABWE CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 HARARE 02205 02 OF 04 241249Z CONTINUES AND SHORT OF IT, PRESIDENT MUGABE ADVISED US, IS HIS CONCLUSION THAT BRITAIN HAS NEVER SUPPORTED ZIMBABWE'S EFFORTS AT INDEPENDENCE AND LAND REFORM, STILL VIEWS HIS COUNTRY A COLONY, AND WILL ONLY HONOR ITS OBLIGATIONS TO PAY FOR LAND IN ZIMBABWE IF FORCED. "THIS IS WHAT WE ARE NOW CARRYING OUT," HE TOLD US, "WITH THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT I SIGNED LAST WEEK." ¶5. (C) ZIMBABWE HAS NO MONEY TO PAY FOR LAND, MUGABE TOLD US. BRITAIN DOES HAVE THE MONEY, AND IS REQUIRED TO PAY BY BOTH ITS PROMISE TO, AND THE FACT THAT ITS CITIZENS STOLE THE LAND FROM AFRICANS. THE LAND ACQUISITION CLAUSE WAS PLACED IN THE DRAFT CONSTITUTION TO ENABLE THE COMMERCIAL FARMERS "TO GET PAID SOMETHING FOR THEIR LAND", HE EXPLAINED. (COMMENT: THIS IS THE LINE MUGABE TOOK LAST WEEK IN HIS MEETING THE CFU, WHERE HE LECTURED THEM THAT THE CONSTITUTIONAL CLAUSE WAS IN THEIR BEST INTERESTS AND REMONSTRATING THEM FOR FIGHTING SO ACTIVELY AGAINST IT. END COMMENT.) THE CONSTITUTION WAS REJECTED BECAUSE THE FARMERS ORGANIZED THEIR LABOR TO VOTE NO, IN EFFECT CONSPIRING AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT, HE TOLD US, AND BECAUSE THE PARTY DID NOT CAMPAIGN ENOUGH FOR IT. THE WAR VETS REACTED TO THE REFERENDUM VOTE BY SPRINGING INTO ACTION IN A "SELF-HELP MODE", MUGABE STATED, "AND WE WANTED IT TO BE A DEMONSTRATION MARK ON THE CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 03 HARARE 02205 02 OF 04 241249Z MINDS OF THE FARMER'S AND THE BRITS." ¶6. (C) "THE WAR VETS ARE PROTESTORS," HE CONTINUED "AND WHILE THE BRITS VIEW IT AS A VIOLATION OF THE RULE OF LAW I WILL NEVER SEND IN THE ARMY AND POLICE AGAINST OUR OWN PEOPLE." "IT WOULD CAUSE MORE BLOODSHED AND REMEMBER THAT THERE ARE STILL PLENTY OF WAR VETERANS IN THE ARMY, THOUGH FEWER IN THE POLICE," HE STATED WHILE LOOKING AT US OVER HIS EYEGLASSES. THE PRESIDENT ALSO REITERATED THE DILEMMA CONFRONTING THE GOZ WERE IT TO TRY TO ENFORCE THE COURT'S ORDER TO EVICT THE INVADERS. HIS ARGUMENTS WERE THE SAME AS THOSE LAID OUT BY HIS FOREIGN MINISTER TO US EARLIER IN THE DAY (IN ESSENCE THE POLICE'S LACK OF CAPACITY TO ACT AND THE EXECUTIVE NON-INTERFERENCE RULING, SEE REF A). WE PUSH BACK ¶7. (C) WHEN AMBASSADOR MCDONALD RAISED A NUMBER OF POINTS REGARDING RECENT DEVELOPMENTS INCLUDING THE VIOLENCE OCCURRING ON THE FARMS, DISREGARD OF THE RULE OF LAW, THE USG'S COMMITMENT AND ASSISTANCE FOR LAND REFORM AND THE NEED FOR A PRACTICAL SOLUTION, PRESIDENT MUGABE RESPONDED WITH SOME OF HIS TRADEMARK EMOTION AND POINTED RHETORIC. SOME OF THE POINTS AND COUNTERPOINTS ARE (U.S. AND ZIMBABWE RESPECTIVELY): WE NEED TO RETURN TO THE PRINCIPALS OF THE CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 04 HARARE 02205 02 OF 04 241249Z 1998 LAND REFORM CONFERENCE. RESPONSE: THE COMMERCIAL FARMERS UNION (CFU) OPPOSED THE 841 DESIGNATED FARM LIST, AND WITH BRITAIN'S HELP STYMIED IMPLEMENTATION. THE WORLD BANK AND OTHERS CAN FUND SOME LAND ACQUISITION. RESPONSE: WE WILL NOT GO AHEAD ANY MORE ON FAITH. FOR 20 YEARS WE HAVE DONE THIS AND THE LAND ISSUE WILL NOT BE SOLVED UNTIL BRITAIN GIVES US THE MONEY TO BUY IT. THE PEOPLE WILL SETTLE FOR NOTHING LESS. WE NEED A PRACTICAL SOLUTION. THERE ARE 800 - 1000 FARMS BEING VOLUNTARILY OFFERED FOR SALE. RESPONSE: THE WAR VETS HAVE ALREADY COME UP WITH A PRACTICAL SOLUTION. THEY ARE ON THE FARMS AND WE HAVE A LAW THAT WILL ALLOW US TO MOVE AHEAD ON ACQUIRING THE FARMS WE NEED. WHAT OF THE DAMAGE TO ZIMBABWE'S IMAGE AS A WONDERFUL COUNTRY, NOT CHARACTERIZED BY VIOLENCE OR STANDOFFS? THE COUNTRY HAS SUFFERED A BLACK EYE. RESPONSE: ZIMBABWE HAS ONLY BEEN WONDERFUL FOR THE WHITE COLONIZERS NOT THE BLACKS. THAT HAS NOT CHANGED FOR 20 YEARS SINCE INDEPENDENCE BUT WILL NOW. MORE HAVE BEEN KILLED IN SOUTH CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PTQ6082 PAGE 01 HARARE 02205 03 OF 04 241250Z ACTION AF-00 INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AGRE-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 SMEC-00 COME-00 DINT-00 DODE-00 DOEE-00 DOTE-00 WHA-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 EUR-01 FAAE-00 FBIE-00 VC-01 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 L-00 AC-01 DCP-01 NSAE-00 OMB-01 OPIC-01 PA-00 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00 SP-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 DRL-02 G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /009W -------------- 4F3109 241253Z /38 P 241252Z APR 00 FM AMEMBASSY HARARE TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5829 SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PRIORITY NSC WASHDC PRIORITY AMEMBASSY LONDON AMEMBASSY PARIS C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 04 HARARE 002205 SIPDIS STATE FOR AF A/S SUSAN RICE, OAS POWELL, AF/S NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR GAYLE SMITH LONDON FOR PFLAUMER PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/23/10 TAGS: PGOV PREL EAGR PINR ZI SUBJECT: THE GUERILLA WAR FOR LAND IN ZIMABABWE CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 HARARE 02205 03 OF 04 241250Z CONTINUES AFRICA ON THE LAND ISSUE WITH A LOT LESS PUBLICITY. BRITAIN IS TO BLAME, WE ARE NO LONGER THEIR COLONY. BRITISH MP'S ARE ABSENTEE OWNERS OF FARMS, THEY SEEK TO PROTECT TOO. FINALLY WE HAVE THE BRITS ATTENTION. WHAT OF THE 841 FARMS THAT YOU HAVE DEMANDED FROM THE CFU? WHAT OF THE PROPERTIES THE GOVERNMENT ALREADY OWNS THAT ARE NOT UTILIZED? RESPONSE: THEY WILL SAY NO AT FIRST (THE CFU), BUT ON THAT THEY MUST AGREE. WE NEED THOSE 841 FARMS BECAUSE OF THEIR LOCATION. THEY ARE NEXT TO THE COMMUNAL AREAS, THE ONES WE OWN ARE NOT. IN WRITING WE HAVE ASSURED THE CFU THAT THE DISPLACED COMMERCIAL FARMERS CAN BUY A REPLACEMENT PROPERTY. WE WILL NOT DEVIATE FROM THE PLAN. WHAT OF THE MONEY FOR LAND IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET STILL UNSPENT? RESPONSE: WE WILL NEVER USE OUR MONEY FOR LAND - JUST DEVELOPMENT. THE BRITS WILL PAY OR THERE WILL BE NO PAYMENT. THOSE TAKING ACTIONS AGAINST US TODAY HAVE NEVER SUPPORTED US SINCE 1980, LIKE THE BRITS AND THE WHITE FARMERS. I AM CALLED HITLER IN THE BRITISH PRESS. THEY NEVER CALLED IAN SMITH A HITLER. THEY DO THIS BECAUSE THEY WANT TO KEEP US A COLONY. CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 03 HARARE 02205 03 OF 04 241250Z - WHAT ABOUT YOU MAKING A STATEMENT IN THE SPIRIT OF VICE PRESIDENT MSIKA'S -- TO WITHDRAW? RESPONSE: I DID NOT SEE THAT STATEMENT AND HAVE ONLY HEARD OF IT. HE DENIES TO ME THAT HE MADE IT. WHAT ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF THE INVASION OF THE ECONOMY? THIS IS THE HARVEST SEASON FOR TOBACCO. RESPONSE: THE TIME HAS COME AFTER 20 YEARS. WE WILL RESOLVE IT NOW. IF THE CFU FARMERS WANT TO LEAVE THEY SHOULD GO NOW. THEY ARE EMBITTERED OLD RHOADIES WHO HAVE NEVER REPENTED, SADDENED THAT THEY HAVE LOST THEIR POWER SINCE INDEPENDENCE. THEY ARE SABOTAGING THE ECONOMY, HAVING BEEN RAISED AND LIVED IN THE DAYS OF DISHONESTY AS SANCTIONS BUSTERS. THEY ARE THE WEALTHIEST CLASS BUT PAY THE LEAST TAXES. BUT WHAT OF THE MORAL ARGUMENTS AGAINST WHAT IS OCCURRING? YOU ARE THE HEAD OF STATE AND THE MORAL LEADER OF THE COUNTRY. IF YOU CAME OUT STRONGLY IN FAVOR OF THE RULE OF LAW AND TOLD THE WAR VETS TO LEAVE THE FARM, MOST WOULD. RESPONSE: THE AMOUNT OF VIOLENCE IS EXAGGERATED BY THE BBC AND CNN. TWO DAYS AGO CNN STAGED AN EVICTION OF THE WAR VETS. BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE THE MEDIA ON OUR SIDE DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE ARE NOT RIGHT OR JUST. I WILL NOT SEND THE POLICE OR ARMY AGAINST PEOPLE WHO ARE FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE. COMMENT CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 04 HARARE 02205 03 OF 04 241250Z ¶8. (C) MUGABE DISPLAYED LUCIDITY AND A REMARKABLE MEMORY ANO RECALL THROUGHOUT THE CONVERSATION. HIS MOOO ANO EMOTION SWINGS MATCHEO THE RHETORIC ANO WHEN WE RETURNEO TO CONGO MATTERS AFTER THE LAND ISSUE HE WAS A CHANGEO MAN. AMBASSAOOR MCOONALO IN A TELEPHONE CALL BEFORE THE MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT AND DURING THE LONG SESSION THOUGHT THE MOOD WAS CORDIAL EVEN WHEN THE ISSUES GOT DIFFICULT. WE ARE THE ONLY WESTERN COUNTRY THAT MUGABE HAS MET WITH ON THE TOPIC OF LAND. WE BELIEVE WE WERE HEARD, BUT MUGABE WAS NOT PERSUADED. THE AMBASSADOR PLANS TO CONTINUE HIS CONVERSATION WITH THE PRESIDENT ON THE ISSUE. ¶9. (C) IT IS CLEAR THAT MUGABE IS STILL FIGHTING THE GUERILLA STRUGGLE HE WON 20 YEARS AGO. HE HAS DRAWN A LINE IN THE SAND AND SAID, "LAND NOW AT ALL COSTS." THE PRESIDENT REALIZES HE IS IN A FIGHT FOR HIS POLITICAL LIFE, A BATTLE HE MUST WIN. UNLEASHING THE WAR VETS IS A DANGEROUS TACTIC, REEKING OF DESPERATION. THEY ARE A PIT BULL LOOSE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE AND GETTING THEM BACK IN THE CAGE OR ON A STOUT CHAIN WILL REQUIRE OFFERINGS AND THE PROMISE OF REGULAR FEEDINGS. CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PTQ6086 PAGE 01 HARARE 02205 04 OF 04 241250Z ACTION AF-00 INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AGRE-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 SMEC-00 COME-00 DINT-00 DODE-00 DOEE-00 DOTE-00 WHA-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 EUR-01 FAAE-00 FBIE-00 VC-01 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 L-00 AC-01 DCP-01 NSAE-00 OMB-01 OPIC-01 PA-00 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00 SP-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 DRL-02 G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /009W -------------- 4F311C 241253Z /38 P 241252Z APR 00 FM AMEMBASSY HARARE TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5830 SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PRIORITY NSC WASHDC PRIORITY AMEMBASSY LONDON AMEMBASSY PARIS C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 04 OF 04 HARARE 002205 SIPDIS STATE FOR AF A/S SUSAN RICE, OAS POWELL, AF/S NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR GAYLE SMITH LONDON FOR PFLAUMER PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/23/10 TAGS: PGOV PREL EAGR PINR ZI SUBJECT: THE GUERILLA WAR FOR LAND IN ZIMABABWE CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 HARARE 02205 04 OF 04 241250Z CONTINUES EVENTS IN THE 24 HOURS SINCE OUR MEETING SHOW THAT THE MESSAGE OF NON-VIOLENCE ESPOUSED BY THE PRESIDENT IN HIS EARLIER MEETINGS WITH THE FARMERS AND THE VETS HAVE NOT SUNK IN FOR THE LATTER. ¶10. (C) MUGABE, BY UNLEASHING THE GUERILLAS, IS PLAYING WITH FIRE. THOUGH SO FAR ONLY THE FARMERS HAVE BEEN BURNED, THE CONSEQUENCES FOR THE COUNTRY ARE EXTREMELY NEGATIVE AND THE LEADERSHIP MAY FIND THAT THE COST TO ITSELF IS HIGH. ALL OF THIS DOES NOT BODE WELL FOR THE MEETINGS TO BEGIN IN LONDON ON APRIL 27. IF THIS ATTITUDE AND POSITION CONTINUES, NOTHING WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED WITH THE BRITISH. FOR NOW THE COUNTRY IS IN LULL, AND SEMI-ATTENTIVE DURING THE LONG EASTER HOLIDAY CHARACTERIZED BY CELL PHONES TURNED OFF AND RETREATS INTO THE COUNTRYSIDE. THOUGH PRIVATELY MUGABE MAY OFFER A MORE TEMPERED MESSAGE, THE REALITY ON THE GROUND WITNESSED SO FAR IN NOT ENCOURAGING. END COMMENT. MCDONALD CONFIDENTIAL >