Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
00HARARE6661
2000-11-28 16:37:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Harare
Cable title:  

MFA PERMANENT SECRETARY ASKS FOR USG GESTURE

Tags:  PREL PGOV EAGR ZI 
pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

281637Z Nov 00


 CONFIDENTIAL PTQ6795

PAGE 01 HARARE 06661 01 OF 02 281642Z 
ACTION IO-00 

INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 A-00 ACQ-00 
 CIAE-00 DODE-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 VC-00 TEDE-00 
 INR-00 VCE-00 M-00 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OIC-02 SSO-00 
 SS-00 DSCC-00 DRL-02 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /004W
 ------------------A4AED7 281642Z /38 
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7727
INFO SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 HARARE 006661 

SIPDIS

NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR GAYLE SMITH
LONDON FOR GURNEY
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS
PASS USAID FOR A/AID R.MCCALL AND AFR/SA FOR C.PALMA AND
M.WILLIAMS
NAIROBI FOR PFLAUMER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2010
TAGS: PREL PGOV EAGR ZI
SUBJECT: MFA PERMANENT SECRETARY ASKS FOR USG GESTURE
ON LAND TO COINCIDE WITH MALLOCH-BROWN VISIT


CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR TOM MCDONALD FOR REASONS 1.5
(B) AND (D).
CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 02 HARARE 06661 01 OF 02 281642Z

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 HARARE 006661

SIPDIS

NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR GAYLE SMITH
LONDON FOR GURNEY
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS
PASS USAID FOR A/AID R.MCCALL AND AFR/SA FOR C.PALMA AND
M.WILLIAMS
NAIROBI FOR PFLAUMER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2010
TAGS: PREL PGOV EAGR ZI
SUBJECT: MFA PERMANENT SECRETARY ASKS FOR USG GESTURE
ON LAND TO COINCIDE WITH MALLOCH-BROWN VISIT


CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR TOM MCDONALD FOR REASONS 1.5
(B) AND (D).
CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 02 HARARE 06661 01 OF 02 281642Z


1. (C) SUMMARY: DURING AN HOUR AND A HALF MEETING
NOVEMBER 28 MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PERMANENT
SECRETARY WILLARD CHIWEWE SOUGHT AMBASSADOR MCDONALD'S

SIPDIS
PRACTICAL ADVICE ON HOW TO ENSURE THAT UNDP
ADMINISTRATOR MARK MALLOCH-BROWN'S VISIT TO ZIMBABWE WAS
A SUCCESS. THE PERMANENT SECRETARY SAID HE WAS LOOKING
FOR WAYS TO BUILD PRESIDENT MUGABE'S CONFIDENCE IN ORDER
TO ACCEPT CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS THAT INTERNATIONAL
COMMUNITY WILL HAVE WITH RESPECT ZIMBABWE'S LAND REFORM
PROGRAM, AND SOUGHT A SIGNAL FROM THE USG TO BOLSTER THE
ADMINISTRATOR'S MISSION. THE AMBASSADOR SAID HE WOULD
HAVE TO CONSULT WITH WASHINGTON REGARDING HIS REQUEST,
BUT ADVISED THE PRESIDENT NOT TO BE DEFENSIVE AND
READILY AGREE TO RESTORE THE RULE OF LAW WITH RESPECT TO
THE COMMERCIAL FARM OCCUPATIONS. CHIWEWE TOLD THE
AMBASSADOR THAT MUGABE WANTED TO SPEND SOME SUBSTANTIAL
TIME WITH MALLOCH-BROWN AND WOULD GIVE THOSE KINDS OF
ASSURANCES. WHEN THE AMBASSADOR SUGGESTED THAT THE
CLEAREST SIGNAL PRESIDENT MUGABE COULD SEND TO THE WEST
DEMONSTRATING HIS SERIOUSNESS WOULD BE TO CALL ON THE
WAR VETERANS TO LEAVE THE FARMS, THE PERMANENT SECRETARY
SAID THAT THAT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE UNDER THE
CIRCUMSTANCES. INSTEAD, HE SUGGESTED AN ACCELERATED
ACQUISITION AND RESETTLEMENT PROCESS. WE BELIEVE THAT
CHIWEWE HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO ENGAGE IN SERIOUS
NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE UNDP AND GENUINELY WANTS USG
INPUT. IF WE COULD REPACKAGE THE UNDERSTANDINGS REACHED
IN THE 1998 DONORS CONFERENCE AND SECURE ADDITIONAL
PLEDGES, WE MIGHT HAVE A WIN-WIN PROPOSITION ON OUR
HANDS. CHIWEWE SEEMED TO TAKE OUR POINTS ON BOARD AND
CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 03 HARARE 06661 01 OF 02 281642Z
THE ATMOSPHERICS WERE EXCELLENT. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) DURING A ONE AND A HALF-HOUR MEETING NOVEMBER 28

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PERMANENT SECRETARY WILLARD
CHIWEWE INFORMED AMBASSADOR MCDONALD THAT HE HAD BEEN
BUSY MAKING PREPARATIONS FOR THE NOVEMBER 30 VISIT OF
UNDP ADMINISTRATOR MARK MALLOCH-BROWN. ON NOVEMBER 27
HE HAD CONSULTED UNDP RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE VICTOR
ANGELO AND ZIMBABWEAN PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE
UNITED NATIONS TICHAONA JOKONYA, AND THOUGHT HE SHOULD
TOUCH BASE WITH THE "CHIEF GLOBAL PLAYER," SO HE ASKED
THE AMBASSADOR TO COME OVER FOR A PRACTICAL DISCUSSION
ABOUT HOW TO GET SOMETHING DONE. CHIWEWE CAME STRAIGHT
TO HIS POINT: HE ASKED WHETHER THE USG COULD "GIVE A
SIGNAL" TO THE GOVERNMENT OF ZIMBABWE THAT MALLOCH-BROWN
IS SERIOUS AND THAT THE DONOR COMMUNITY SUPPORTS HIM.
THE PERMANENT SECRETARY HAD ASKED ANGELO WHETHER THE
UNDP COULD CONTRIBUTE A SYMBOLIC AMOUNT TO THE FUND FOR
LAND REFORM, BUT THE LATTER UNDERSTANDABLY MADE NO
COMMITMENT.


3. (C) AMBASSADOR MCDONALD REPLIED THAT HE WOULD HAVE
TO CONSULT WITH WASHINGTON REGARDING HIS REQUEST. THAT
SAID, THE AMBASSADOR UNDERSCORED THE FACT THAT THIS WAS
A "CRITICAL, CRITICAL" MEETING, BECAUSE ZIMBABWE WAS AT
A FORK IN THE ROAD. HE TOLD CHIWEWE THAT PRESIDENT
MUGABE SHOULD EMBRACE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE FORWARD.
THE PERMANENT SECRETARY THEN ASKED THE AMBASSADOR, "WHAT
DO YOU WANT THE PRESIDENT TO DO?" CHIWEWE UNDERSCORED
THAT HE WAS LOOKING FOR CANDID ADVICE. THE AMBASSADOR
REPLIED THAT THE PRESIDENT SHOULD SAY TO MALLOCH-BROWN
CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 04 HARARE 06661 01 OF 02 281642Z
THAT HE NEEDS SUPPORT FOR HIS LAND REFORM PROGRAM AND
SHOULD NOT ACT DEFENSIVELY. THE SENIOR ZIMBABWEAN
DIPLOMAT REPORTED THAT, AS A SIGN OF THE IMPORTANCE
PRESIDENT MUGABE ATTACHED TO THE VISIT, HE HAD SAID THAT
HE WANTED "SOME REAL TIME WITH MR. BROWN." CHIWEWE
CONTINUED THAT HE WAS TRYING TO GET ALLIES TO BUILD
CONFIDENCE SO THE PRESIDENT WOULD NOT FIND HIMSELF
"BENDING TO AN UNBENDING ENVIRONMENT." THE AMBASSADOR
RESPONDED THAT THE MOST IMPRESSIVE THING MUGABE COULD DO
TO SEND A CLEAR SIGNAL TO THE WEST WOULD BE FOR HIM TO
GO TO HIS PORTICO AND CALL FOR THE WAR VETERANS TO LEAVE
THE FARMS IMMEDIATELY. IF THAT WERE TO HAPPEN 90
PERCENT OF THEM WOULD DO SO, THE AMBASSADOR STATED.


4. (C) WHILE CHIWEWE APPRECIATED THE SUGGESTION, HE
NOTED THAT MUGABE COULD NOT DO THAT, BECAUSE WHEN IT HAD
BEEN TRIED IN THE PAST, WAR VETERANS LEFT THE PREMISES
OF A FARM, BUT CAMPED BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ONLY TO
RETURN LATER. IF WE HAD A CLEAR 5 MILLION AVAILABLE
HECTARES, THERE WOULD BE NO NEED FOR THE PRESIDENT TO
SAY ANYTHING, THE PERMANENT SECRETARY SAID. INSTEAD,
CHIWEWE THOUGHT THE WAY TO PROCEED WOULD BE TO QUICKEN

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL PTQ6797

PAGE 01 HARARE 06661 02 OF 02 281642Z
ACTION IO-00

INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 A-00 ACQ-00
CIAE-00 DODE-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 VC-00 TEDE-00
INR-00 VCE-00 M-00 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OIC-02 SSO-00
SS-00 DSCC-00 DRL-02 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /004W
-------------- A4AEE7 281642Z /38
O 281637Z NOV 00
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7728
INFO SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI IMMEDIATE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 02 HARARE 006661

SIPDIS

NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR GAYLE SMITH
LONDON FOR GURNEY
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS
PASS USAID FOR A/AID R.MCCALL AND AFR/SA FOR C.PALMA AND
M.WILLIAMS
NAIROBI FOR PFLAUMER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2010
TAGS: PREL PGOV EAGR ZI
SUBJECT: MFA PERMANENT SECRETARY ASKS FOR USG GESTURE
ON LAND TO COINCIDE WITH MALLOCH-BROWN VISIT

THE PACE THROUGH WHICH THE GOVERNMENT LEGALLY ACQUIRED
FARMS AND MOVED PEOPLE ONTO THOSE FARMS. "IT HAS TO BE
CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 02 HARARE 06661 02 OF 02 281642Z
ACQUISITION, REMOVAL, ACQUISITION, REMOVAL, IN ORDER TO
KEEP THE SITUATION CONTROLLED," HE ARGUED. IF THE
GOVERNMENT WERE TO PROVOKE POLITICAL DISCONTENT WE COULD
ASSUME THAT "MISCHIEF BEGINS AMONG SUCH PEOPLE." THE
AMBASSADOR CAUTIONED THE PERMANENT SECRETARY THAT THE
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WOULD NOT PAY FOR LAND THAT
WOULD GO TO CRIMINALS.


5. (C) AMBASSADOR MCDONALD THEN SUGGESTED THAT THE
PRESIDENT MIGHT WISH TO MEET MALLOCH-BROWN FOR AN
EXTENDED PERIOD ON THURSDAY AFTER HIS ARRIVAL AND THEN
BEGIN DRAFTING A CLEAR STATEMENT OF SUBSTANTIVE
PRINCIPLES, AFTER WHICH THE TWO WOULD MEET TO ANNOUNCE
IT. CHIWEWE AGREED WITH THE CONCEPT, BUT SUGGESTED THE
FOREIGN MINISTER AND MALLOCH-BROWN DO IT, AS THEY ARE ON
THE SAME LEVEL. THE AMBASSADOR SUGGESTED THAT THE UNDP
ADMINISTRATOR NEEDED TO LEAVE ZIMBABWE BEING ABLE TO SAY
THAT HE MET PRESIDENT MUGABE AND THAT THE PRESIDENT
WANTS THE RULE OF LAW TO PREVAIL ON THE COMMERCIAL
FARMS. HE WILL NEED THAT GUARANTEE FROM THE PRESIDENT,
THE AMBASSADOR STRESSED. "AND HE WILL GET IT," THE
PERMANENT SECRETARY CONCLUDED.


6. (C) COMMENT: IN HIS OWN BLUNT AND PECULIAR MANNER,
CHIWEWE IS ATTEMPTING TO BUILD BRIDGES FROM HIS
GOVERNMENT TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. HE MUST HAVE
THE PRESIDENT'S NOD TO ENGAGE IN THESE PRACTICAL
NEGOTIATIONS. THE WORK HE HAS PUT IN PREPARING FOR THE
MALLOCH-BROWN VISIT IS INDICATIVE OF THE IMPORTANCE HIS
GOVERNMENT ATTACHES TO IT. WE HAVE NOT SEEN THOROUGH
PREPARATION LIKE THIS BEFORE ANY OTHER SUCH GATHERING.
CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 03 HARARE 06661 02 OF 02 281642Z
THE WAY WE SEE IT, THE GOVERNMENT EITHER WILL TAKE THE
OPPORTUNITY GIVEN BY THE VISIT TO DEFUSE TENSIONS AND
BEGIN A SANE LAND REFORM PROGRAM, OR STEP UP THE PACE
AND VIOLENCE OF THE CURRENT LAND GRAB. WE NEED TO THINK
CREATIVELY OF WAYS WE CAN ENCOURAGE THE GOZ IN THE RIGHT
DIRECTION.


7. (C) COMMENT CONTINUED: WE CAN SUGGEST ONE WAY: TAKE
THE LAND AND REFORM RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM THAT THE GOZ
AND THE DONORS HAD AGREED TO IN 1998; THROW IN SOME NEW
PLEDGES (FROM DONORS AND THE CFU) TO GET THE GOZ UP TO
THE 5 MILLION HECTARES IT IS LOOKING FOR; "REPACKAGE" IT
COMPLETE WITH A CLEVER NEW NAME THAT SINGS "LAND TO THE
PEOPLE" TO ZIMBABWEANS AND "RULE OF LAW" TO CIVIL
SOCIETY AND THE DONOR COMMUNITY; LET MUGABE DECLARE
VICTORY AND CALL THE WAR VETERANS OFF THE FARMS; AND GET
THE LAND PROGRAM BACK "ON-TRACK" AND THIS ECONOMIC AND
POLITICAL TRANSITION OFF THE DIME. WITH THE RIGHT
NEGOTIATING SKILLS, THIS COULD BE PULLED OFF IN AN
ENVIRONMENT WHERE EVERYONE NEEDS A WIN. END COMMENT.

MCDONALD

CONFIDENTIAL

>