Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
01HARARE3427
2001-11-16 08:12:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Harare
Cable title:  

ACTIVITIES RELATED TO 2002 PRESIDENTIAL

Tags:  KDEM EAID PGOV ZI 
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160812Z Nov 01


 CONFIDENTIAL PTQ1075

PAGE 01 HARARE 03427 01 OF 03 160922Z 
ACTION AF-00 

INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 USNW-00 DODE-00 
 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 OIGO-00 VC-00 H-01 TEDE-00 
 INR-00 IO-00 LAB-01 L-00 VCE-00 AC-01 NSAE-00 
 NSCE-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 OPIC-01 PA-00 PC-01 PM-00 
 PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00 SP-00 SSO-00 STR-00 TRSE-00 
 USIE-00 R-00 EPAE-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-02 
 G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /010W
 ------------------3F256F 160923Z /38 
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0295
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 HARARE 003427 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF, AF/S, AND AF/EPS
USAID FOR AAA/AFR - KBROWN, AFR/SD - MWILLIAMS,
OTI - MSCOTT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/15/11
TAGS: KDEM EAID PGOV ZI
SUBJECT: ACTIVITIES RELATED TO 2002 PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTIONS


CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR JOSEPH G. SULLIVAN FOR REASONS
1.5 (B) AND (D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 HARARE 003427

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF, AF/S, AND AF/EPS
USAID FOR AAA/AFR - KBROWN, AFR/SD - MWILLIAMS,
OTI - MSCOTT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/15/11
TAGS: KDEM EAID PGOV ZI
SUBJECT: ACTIVITIES RELATED TO 2002 PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTIONS


CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR JOSEPH G. SULLIVAN FOR REASONS
1.5 (B) AND (D).


1. (C) THE FOLLOWING ELECTION RELATED ACTIVITIES IN
ZIMBABWE ARE NOW IN THE PLANNING STAGES OR UNDERWAY.
THE GOZ HAS NOT BEEN CONSULTED ON THESE ACTIVITIES,
WHICH HAVE BEEN UNDERTAKEN BY NGOS AND/OR CIVIL SOCIETY,
BUT IT WILL PROBABLY BE NECESSARY TO INFORM THE GOZ OF
CERTAIN ASPECTS OF SOME OF THE PROPOSED ESF-FUNDED
ACTIVITIES.

ECONOMIC SUPPORT FUNDS - ZIMBABWE WAS THE LARGEST
RECIPIENT OF ECONOMIC SUPPORT FUNDS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
IN FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2001; $3 MILLION WAS PROVIDED AND AN
ADDITIONAL $1 MILLION WAS CARRIED OVER TO FY 2002. THERE
IS A CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATION ISSUE CONCERNING THE
ROLL-OVER FUNDS; HOWEVER, USAID IS PREPARING PRE-OBLIGATION
DOCUMENTS FOR THESE ACTIVITIES IN ANTICIPATION OF ITS
RESOLUTION. THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN APPROVED:

-- CIVIL SOCIETY SUPPORT - THE COUNTRY TEAM REVIEWED TWO
UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS AND IRI WAS UNANIMOUSLY SELECTED TO
IMPLEMENT THIS ACTIVITY. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING
WILL BE OFFERED TO A BROAD RANGE OF CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS
INCLUDING POLITICAL PARTIES. ($1.0 MILLION)

-- INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS - IFES WAS SELECTED BY THE CEPPS
PARTNERS TO IMPLEMENT THIS ACTIVITY. THE SCOPE OF WORKS
CALLS FOR SMALL TEAMS TO MAKE SHORT, PERIODIC VISITS TO
DOCUMENT THE ELECTORAL ENVIRONMENT. DURING THE ACTUAL
POLLING DAYS, A LARGER OBSERVER MISSION WILL BE IN COUNTRY.
BECAUSE OF DIFFICULTIES WITH ZIMBABWEAN AUTHORITIES, IFES
HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO MAKE ALL THE PLANNED VISITS.
REPROGRAMMING OR CHANGES IN THE SCOPES OF WORK MAY BE
NECESSARY. ($800,000)

CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 03 HARARE 03427 01 OF 03 160922Z
-- REGIONAL MONITORS - FUNDS WOULD SUPPORT POSSIBLE TRAVEL
AND OTHER RELATED COSTS OF THE SADC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM TO
OBSERVE THE PRE-ELECTION PERIOD AND THE VOTING DAYS. THE
CEPPS MECHANISM IS LIKELY TO BE USED TO COMMIT FUNDS.
($100,000)

-- DOMESTIC MONITORS AND POLLING AGENTS - FUNDS WILL BE
USED TO SUPPORT A COMBINATION OF ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING
PER DIEM AND TRAVEL COSTS FOR DOMESTIC MONITORS AND

TRAINING COSTS FOR DOMESTIC MONITORS AND PARTY POLLING
AGENTS. A COMBINATION OF THE CEPPS MECHANISM AND DIRECT
GRANTS TO LOCAL NGOS IS LIKELY TO BE USED TO COMMIT
FUNDS. ($400,000)

-- ELECTION SUPPORT NETWORK "DESK" - BASED ON A SUCCESSFUL
ACTIVITY IN THE 2000 PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS, FUNDS WILL
BE USED TO ESTABLISH A SUPPORT DESK FOR THE MORE THAN
30-MEMBER NGO NETWORK -- THE ZIMBABWE ELECTIONS SUPPORT
NETWORK (ZESN). THE PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE A SPACE LARGE
ENOUGH FROM WHICH ALL MEMBERS CAN COORDINATE THEIR
MONITORING ACTIVITIES DURING THE POLLING PERIOD. IF
FUNDING PERMITS, SMALLER SUPPORT DESKS WILL BE SET UP IN
PROVINCIAL CAPITALS. ($75,000)

-- VOTER EDUCATION MATERIALS - VOTER EDUCATION MATERIALS,
INCLUDING PAMPHLETS, COMICS, POSTERS, PRINT ADVERTISEMENTS,
WILL BE DEVELOPED FOR NATIONWIDE DISSEMINATION. THIS
ACTIVITY WILL ALSO INCLUDE PREPARATION OF A BROCHURE
CONTAINING ABBREVIATED MATERIAL FROM THE SADC NORMS AND
STANDARDS FOR ELECTIONS IN BOTH SHONA AND SINDEBELE. A
LOCAL NGO THAT CONDUCTED A CREDIBLE VOTER EDUCATION
CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 04 HARARE 03427 01 OF 03 160922Z
CAMPAIGN IN THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS PERIOD IS LIKELY
TO BE USED TO COMMIT FUNDS. ($100,000)

-- VOTERS ROLLS - THIS ACTIVITY WILL FUND PURCHASE,
REPRODUCTION AND DISSEMINATION OF THE VOTERS ROLLS. A
PROPOSAL HAS BEEN RECEIVED FROM ZESN FOR THIS ACTIVITY.
($20,000)

-- GOZ ELECTORAL ADMINISTRATION - THERE ARE SEVERAL
POSSIBLE OPTIONS; HOWEVER, PROCEEDING WITH ANY ACTIVITY
WILL DEPEND ON THE WILLINGNESS OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL
TO ACCEPT USG ASSISTANCE. OPTIONS INCLUDE: TRANSLUCENT
BALLOT BOXES AND SUPPORT TO THE ELECTORAL SUPERVISORY
COMMISSION. ($150,000)

-- CRISIS IN ZIMBABWE SECRETARIAT - THIS ACTIVITY WILL
BOLSTER THE CAPACITY OF MORE THAN 250 CIVIL SOCIETY
ORGANIZATIONS TO PRESS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF ACTIONS
INTENDED TO LEVEL THE ELECTORAL PLAYING FIELD. AN
IMPLEMENTING TASK FORCE IS STAFFED BY A SMALL
SECRETARIAT. FUNDS WILL BE USED FOR ONE FULL-TIME

SIPDIS
STAFF MEMBER, PUBLIC SEMINARS TO ESTABLISH CONSENSUS
ON ELECTION STANDARDS AND FOR TRAVEL TO LIAISE WITH
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN THE REGION. ($55,000)

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL PTQ1077

PAGE 01 HARARE 03427 02 OF 03 160923Z
ACTION AF-00

INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 USNW-00 DODE-00
SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 OIGO-00 VC-00 H-01 TEDE-00
INR-00 IO-00 LAB-01 L-00 VCE-00 AC-01 NSAE-00
NSCE-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 OPIC-01 PA-00 PC-01 PM-00
PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00 SP-00 SSO-00 STR-00 TRSE-00
USIE-00 R-00 EPAE-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-02
G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /010W
-------------- 3F2592 160923Z /38
O 160812Z NOV 01
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0296

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 03 HARARE 003427

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF, AF/S, AND AF/EPS
USAID FOR AAA/AFR - KBROWN, AFR/SD - MWILLIAMS,
OTI - MSCOTT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/15/11
TAGS: KDEM EAID PGOV ZI
SUBJECT: ACTIVITIES RELATED TO 2002 PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTIONS

-- PUBLIC OPINION POLLING - THIS ACTIVITY IS
IMPLEMENTED THROUGH A GRANT TO THE MASS PUBLIC OPINION
INSTITUTE (MPOI). THE INSTITUTE PLANS TO CONDUCT A
NUMBER OF SURVEYS (E.G., VOTER APATHY, PRE AND POST
CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 02 HARARE 03427 02 OF 03 160923Z
PRESIDENTIAL POLL, LAND, RULE OF LAW, RACE AND
ETHNICITY). IT IS ALREADY HOLDING PUBLIC SEMINARS ON
ELECTION TOPICS. ($300,000)

-- VICTIMS OF TORTURE - THIS ACTIVITY IS IMPLEMENTED
THROUGH A GRANT TO AMANI TRUST FOR SUPPORT TO VICTIMS
OF TORTURE. THIS INCLUDES TREATMENT SERVICES, SAFE
HOUSES FOR VICTIMS OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE, WITNESS
PROTECTION FOR THOSE WHO TESTIFIED IN THE ELECTORAL
CHALLENGES CASES, ADVOCACY EFFORTS AND PUBLICATION
OF REPORTS ON ORGANIZED VIOLENCE AND TORTURE.
($75,000 IN ESF PLUS $500,000 IN DA FUNDS)

-- CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM - OTI HAS SUPPORTED THE
NCA SINCE 1999, INCLUDING THE FIRST ALL STAKEHOLDERS
CONFERENCE IN MARCH 2000. FUNDS HAVE BEEN SET ASIDE
IN A GRANT AGREEMENT THAT CAN BE USED FOR THE SECOND
ALL STAKEHOLDERS CONFERENCE, SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER

2001. GIVEN THE BROAD BASED NATURE OF THE NCA
CONSTITUENCY, THE CENTRALITY OF A DEMOCRATIC AND
PEOPLE DRIVEN CONSTITUTION TO THE RESOLUTION OF
ISSUES OF DEMOCRACY, GOOD GOVERNANCE, AND THE RULE
OF LAW THIS IS A KEY ISSUE IN THE RUN-UP TO THE
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. ($200,000 IS OBLIGATED,
BUT NOT COMMITTED)

-- STUDY TOURS AND JOURNALIST TRAINING - THIS
ACTIVITY INCLUDES TRAINING FOR KEY MEMBERS OF THE
MEDIA, ACADEMIA, AND CIVIL SOCIETY, AS WELL AS,
STUDY TOURS FOR EMINENT ZIMBABWEANS AND
AMERICANS. THIS PURPOSE IS TO STRENGTHEN THE
CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 03 HARARE 03427 02 OF 03 160923Z
CAPACITY OF THE INDEPENDENT MEDIA TO REPORT ON
ELECTORAL ISSUES AND ENHANCE THE ABILITY OF CIVIL
SOCIETY TO EXPRESS ALTERNATIVE VIEWS. ($175,000)

-- ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT - APPROXIMATELY $30,000
IS BEING USED TO PURCHASE 15 SATELLITE PHONES THAT
WILL ALLOW USG EMPLOYEES WHO OBSERVE THE ELECTION
TO BE WITHIN PHONE REACH AT ALL TIMES. THE
BALANCE OF FUNDS IS BEING HELD IN RESERVE TO ALLOW
HIRE OF ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF OR MEET OTHER USAID
SUPPORT NEEDS. ($50,000)

OTI SUPPORTED ACTIVITIES

-- SHORT WAVE RADIO - ALL ELECTRONIC MEDIA IS CONTROLLED
BY THE GOZ. AN OFF-SHORE RADIO WITH THE PURPOSE OF
PROVIDING ALTERNATIVE INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY TO RURAL
AREAS, IS BEING SUPPORTED. START-UP FOR BROADCASTING IS
SCHEDULED FOR MID-DECEMBER. (APPROX $1.1 MILLION)

-- COURT CASES - COSTS FOR A VARIETY OF COURT CASES ARE
BEING FINANCED THROUGH A WELL RESPECT LOCAL NGO,
INCLUDING THE CHALLENGES TO ELECTORAL OUTCOMES THAT HAVE
BROUGHT PROMINENCE TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES AND
VIOLENCE THAT OCCURRED DURING THE 2000 PARLIAMENTARY
ELECTIONS. ADDITIONAL FUNDS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED TO
CHALLENGE OTHER POSSIBLE OR CURRENT LAWS, SUCH AS THE
FARM OCCUPIERS ACT, PROHIBITIONS ON FOREIGN FUNDING OF
NGOS, INFORMATION AND MEDIA LAWS, OR PROHIBITION ON NGO
SPONSORSHIP OF ELECTION MONITORS. ($250,000)

CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 04 HARARE 03427 02 OF 03 160923Z
-- ZESN MEDIA CAMPAIGN - A GRANT IS BEING CONSIDERED TO
ALLOW THE ELECTIONS NETWORK TO SPONSOR CIVIC AND VOTER
EDUCATION THROUGH THE MEDIA. THIS IS A COMPANION
ACTIVITY TO THE PURCHASE OF VOTER ROLLS FOR ZESN. (TBD)

-- NATIONAL CONSTITUTIONAL ASSEMBLY (NCA) MEDIA
CAMPAIGN - A POSSIBLE MEDIA ACTIVITY WITH THE NCA IS
BEING EXPLORED. (APPROX $40,000)

-- ELECTION MONITOR TRAINING VIDEO - A GRANT HAS BEEN
PROVIDED TO PREPARE A TRAINING VIDEO FOR ELECTIONS
MONITORS FOR USE BY ZESN AND ITS MEMBERS. ($23,000 TO
DATE; ADDITIONAL FUNDING IS BEING CONSIDERED.)

-- ELECTION SUPPLEMENTS - FUNDS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED TO
SEVERAL INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS TO ALLOW PREPARATION AND
PRINTING OF SUPPLEMENTS THAT PROVIDE NON-PARTISAN
INFORMATION ON THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS. (FUNDS DIFFICULT
TO DISAGGREGATE AS THIS IS AN ON-GOING ACTIVITY RUNNING
SINCE THE PARLIAMENTARY PRE-ELECTION PERIOD.)

-- NEWSPRINT DISSEMINATION - THE NATIONAL CONSTITUTIONAL
ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN PROVIDED A GRANT TO DISSEMINATE
OVERRUN COPIES OF INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS IN RURAL AREAS.

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL PTQ1079

PAGE 01 HARARE 03427 03 OF 03 160923Z
ACTION AF-00

INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 USNW-00 DODE-00
SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 OIGO-00 VC-00 H-01 TEDE-00
INR-00 IO-00 LAB-01 L-00 VCE-00 AC-01 NSAE-00
NSCE-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 OPIC-01 PA-00 PC-01 PM-00
PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00 SP-00 SSO-00 STR-00 TRSE-00
USIE-00 R-00 EPAE-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-02
G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /010W
-------------- 3F259C 160923Z /38
O 160812Z NOV 01
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0297

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 03 HARARE 003427

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF, AF/S, AND AF/EPS
USAID FOR AAA/AFR - KBROWN, AFR/SD - MWILLIAMS,
OTI - MSCOTT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/15/11
TAGS: KDEM EAID PGOV ZI
SUBJECT: ACTIVITIES RELATED TO 2002 PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTIONS

($167,000)

-- PEACE MONITORS - THIS TITLE IS LOOSELY DESCRIPTIVE OF
A SERIES OF GRANTS TO LOCAL NGOS, SUCH AS THE CATHOLIC
COMMISSION FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE, AMANI TRUST, THE
CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 02 HARARE 03427 03 OF 03 160923Z
ZIMBABWE LIBERATORS PLATFORM THAT ARE FOCUSING ON THE
ISSUE OF VIOLENCE IN RURAL AREAS. PEACE MONITORS HAVE
BEEN TRAINED AND THE NGOS ARE WORKING WITH TRADITIONAL
AUTHORITIES, REAL WAR VETS AND OTHER RESPECTED RURAL
LEADERS ON THE PROBLEM OF VIOLENCE MITIGATION. IN
ADDITION, AN INTER-DENOMINATIONAL MEETING OF CHURCH
LEADERS HAVE BEEN SPONSORED. (APPROX. $250,000)
-- VIOLENCE MONITORING AND REPORTING - THESE ACTIVITIES
INCLUDE VIOLENCE MONITORING THROUGH AMANI TRUST THAT
PARTICIPATES IN A COALITION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND LEGAL
NGOS CALLED THE HUMAN RIGHTS FORUM. THE FORUM IS DOING
REGULAR REPORTING ON VIOLENCE AND HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES.
(APPROX. $279,000)

-- LAW SOCIETY AND INTERNATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION -
FUNDS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED TO THE IBA AND THE LOCAL LAW
SOCIETY FOR TRAINING ACTIVITIES AND TO SPONSOR AND HOST
INTERNATIONAL LEGAL EXPERTS TO PERIODICALLY VISIT
ZIMBABWE AND DISSEMINATE THEIR FINDINGS CONCERNING THE
RULE OF LAW. (APPROX. $120,000)

-- SATELLITE PHONES - APPROXIMATELY 10 SATELLITE PHONES
ARE BEING PURCHASED FOR KEY CIVIL SOCIETY PARTNERS TO
ENABLE SECURE AND RAPID COMMUNICATIONS WITH ONE ANOTHER
(COST TBD).

-- TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY - OTI HAS RESERVED FUNDING FOR
OTHER POSSIBLE ELECTIONS-RELATED ACTIVITIES TO FILL GAPS
THAT MAY ARISE.

CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 03 HARARE 03427 03 OF 03 160923Z
UNFUNDED NEEDS

-- NEWSPRINT - THE ESCALATING COST OF NEWSPRINT IS
AFFECTING THE ABILITY OF THE INDEPENDENT PRESS TO KEEP
THE COVER PRICE OF THEIR PUBLICATIONS AFFORDABLE TO THE
GENERAL POPULATION. THIS IS BECAUSE THEY MUST BUY
NEWSPRINT THAT INCLUDES ABOUT A 20% IMPORT CONTENT.
BECAUSE FOREIGN EXCHANGE IS NOT AVAILABLE IN THE MARKET
AT THE OFFICIAL RATE, THE SUPPLIER IS FORCED TO PURCHASE
FOREIGN EXCHANGE AT THE PARALLEL RATE. A GRANT TO COVER
THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE COMPONENT OF NEWSPRINT BETWEEN NOW
AND JUNE OF 2002 WOULD COST IN THE RANGE OF $1.5 TO $2.0
MILLION. THE NEWS ORGANIZATIONS WOULD PURCHASE THE
NEWSPRINT AND LOCAL CURRENCY PROCEEDS WOULD BE
PROGRAMMED FOR HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS - POSSIBLY DISPLACED
FARM WORKERS.

-- VOTER EDUCATION MATERIAL AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
MONITORING - GIVEN THE CURRENT HUMANITARIAN CRISIS, THE
POSSIBLE USE OF ANY DONOR ASSISTANCE FOR PARTISAN
PURPOSES SEVERAL ACTIVITIES COULD BE CONSIDERED. FOR
EXAMPLE, VOTER EDUCATION MATERIALS MIGHT BE DISTRIBUTED
WITH FOOD RELIEF. SIMILARLY, AN INDEPENDENT
INTERNATIONAL NGO WITH HUMAN RIGHTS EXPERIENCE MIGHT BE
ENGAGED TO MONITOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF RELIEF SUPPLIES
AND REPORT ON ABUSES.

SULLIVAN

CONFIDENTIAL

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