GOVERNMENT GAZETTES LIST OF 804 FARMS FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L HARARE 002961 SIPDIS NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR GAYLE SMITH LONDON FOR PFLAUMER PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 HARARE 02961 051429Z PASS USTR FOR ROSA WHITAKER PASS USAID FOR A/AID R. MCALL AND AFR/SA W. JEFFERS TREASURY FOR ED BARBER AND GRACE SONE USDA FAS FOR CMT/GARY GROSS AND FRANK LEE PRETORIA ALSO FOR AG ATTACHE E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2010 TAGS: PGOV PHUM EAGR ECON ZI SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT GAZETTES LIST OF 804 FARMS FOR COMPULSORY ACQUISITION REF: A). HARARE 2820 B). HARARE 1914 (NOTAL) CLASSIFIED BY DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION EARL M. IRVING FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (U) ON JUNE 2 THE GOVERNMENT OF ZIMBABWE PLACED A NOTICE IN AN EXTRAORDINARY EDITION OF THE "GOVERNMENT GAZETTE," ANNOUNCING ITS INTENTION TO ACQUIRE COMPULSORILY 804 FARMS FOR RESETTLEMENT. THE ANNOUNCEMENT ADVISED FARMERS WISHING TO CONTEST THE ACQUISITIONS TO LODGE THEIR OBJECTIONS IN WRITING WITH THE MINISTER OF LANDS AND AGRICULTURE BY JULY 2. THEREAFTER, FARMERS HAVE AN ADDITIONAL POSSIBILITY FOR APPEAL THROUGH THE PROVINCIAL ADMINISTRATIVE COURTS, AS THEY WILL FOR ANY SUBSEQUENT DISAGREEMENTS ON COMPENSATION. IF NO OBJECTIONS ARE CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 03 HARARE 02961 051429Z LODGED OR THE APPEAL PROCESS HAS BEEN EXHAUSTED, THE EFFECTIVE OWNERSHIP OF THE FARM/LAND IN QUESTION TRANSFERS FROM THE FARMER TO THE STATE, ONCE THE STATE ISSUES AN ACQUISITION ORDER. THE TITLE DEED, HOWEVER, IS NOT TRANSFERRED UNTIL A BILL OF SALE IS EXECUTED PURSUANT TO A NEGOTIATED PRICE. ¶2. (C) COMMERCIAL FARMERS' UNION PRESIDENT TIM HENWOOD TOLD US JUNE 2 THAT NO FARMER IN HIS RIGHT MIND WOULD RISK HIS LIFE, AT THIS TIME OF RAMPANT INTIMIDATION, BY RAISING OBJECTIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT'S MOVE. ¶3. (C) COMMENT: THE AMENDED ENABLING LEGISLATION (REF A),COUPLED WITH THE GAZETTING OF THE LIST OF FARMS, CHANGES THE RULES OF THE GAME AND EFFECTIVELY SCUTTLES THE UNITED NATIONS-LED EFFORT TO WORK OUT A MECHANISM TO FUND ZIMBABWE'S LAND REFORM PROGRAM AHEAD OF THIS STEP. THE DONORS NOW WILL HAVE TO STAND BACK AND ASSESS HOW BEST TO RESPOND TO THE ZIMBABWEAN GOVERNMENT'S ACTIONS. END COMMENT. MCDONALD CONFIDENTIAL >