TRIAL OF AMCIT JOURNALIST ANDREW MELDRUM

UNCLAS HARARE 001419 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/PD, AF/S, AF/RA N NSC FOR JENDAYI FRAZER LONDON FOR GURNEY PARIS FOR NEARY NAIROBI FOR PFLAUMER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM KPAO ZI SUBJECT: TRIAL OF AMCIT JOURNALIST ANDREW MELDRUM OPENS ON JUNE 12 ¶1. The trial of American citizen Andrew Meldrum, the Zimbabwe correspondent for "The Guardian," begins on June 12 at the Harare Magistrate's Court. Meldrum was charged with "publishing falsehoods," a violation of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) after reporting the now-disproved story of a woman beheaded by ruling party supporters. ¶2. Meldrum's lawyer believes the case would be dismissed quickly under normal circumstances. We know, however, that there is high-level Government of Zimbabwe interest in the case that may make normal court proceedings difficult. ¶3. Meldrum and two other journalists working for the international media have filed a suit challenging the constitutionality of sections of AIPPA. If decided in the applicants' favor, that case would render moot the outcome of Meldrum's trial before the Harare magistrate. The High Court, however, decided that the constitutional challenge to AIPPA was not urgent. We will report on further developments as necessary. SULLIVAN