UN FOOD SEIZED

C O N F I D E N T I A L HARARE 002086

SIPDIS

USAID FOR ANDREW NATSIOS
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR JENDAYI FRAZER
LONDON FOR CGURNEY
NAIROBI FOR PFLAUMER
PARIS FOR NEARY
ROME FOR FODAG

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/2012
TAGS: EAGR EAID PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: UN FOOD SEIZED


Classified By: Political Officer Kimberly Jemison for reasons 1.5 (b) a
nd (d).


1. (U) SUMMARY: On September 7, Zimbabwe police and
soldiers raided the UNICEF facilities and illegally seized
food UNICEF had been storing for UN employees. After
appealing to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the UN received
an apology from the guilty parties and expected to have the
stolen food returned on September 11 but by mid-day on
September 12 we were unable to confirm whether it had been
returned. END SUMMARY.

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UN FOOD SEIZED
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2. (U) On September 7, Zimbabwe police and soldiers raided
the UNICEF compound and seized food UNICEF had been storing
for the UN employees and their dependents, according to Kirk
Hoffman, Operation Manager at UNICEF. The UN has been
importing food every three months for its 1000 employees
(3000 dependents) in Zimbabwe for several months. UNICEF
kept the food on its premises because it has the space to do
so and was in the process of distributing it when the police
and soldiers raided the facility. In addition to seizing the
food (there were eight staple food commodities),the police
and soldiers beat up two UNICEF staff members and searched
diplomatic (CD) vehicles.


3. (U) During the raid, UN officials advised the
belligerents several times that they were violating UN
immunities and privileges. After the attackers left, the UN
complained to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the highest
level and has since been provided with the names of the
perpetrators, an apology, a promise to return the items by
the end of the day on September 11, and permission to open a
legal case against those who assaulted the UNICEF staff.

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FOOD AID SECURITY IN QUESTION
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4. (C) COMMENT: The raid on UNICEF further flags concerns
about the security of food aid imported into Zimbabwe. The
fact that the Zimbabwe police and military can disregard the
immunity afforded the UN and seize food does not particularly
bode well for food secured by other international
organizations. The Government's response in this case will
provide clear indications of how similar problems will be
handled in the future, and what additional steps might be
necessary to ensure adequate security arrangements for
donated food. END COMMENT.

SULLIVAN