GOVERNMENT PAPER COVERS POWELL-NCUBE MEETING

UNCLAS HARARE 001029

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/PDPA FOR DALTON, MITCHELL AND SIMS
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LONDON FOR GURNEY
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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPAO KMDR ZI
SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT PAPER COVERS POWELL-NCUBE MEETING


1. The meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Colin
Powell and Bulawayo Archbishop Pius Ncube provided the
lead story in the May 22 edition of the government-
controlled daily "Chronicle." The article distorted
the purpose and substance of the may 20 meeting
Washington, DC. The article accused the United States
for exploiting the meeting with Ncube to advance its
desire to "overthrow" the government of Robert Mugabe.
change of government in Zimbabwe." Excerpts of Under
the headline "U.S. praises Pius Ncube: Archbishop
thanked for anti-govt stance," the article says in
part:


2. "The United States Government has lauded the head
of the Roman Catholic Church in Matabeleland,
Archbishop Pius Ncube, for assisting it in its bid to
effect a change of Government in Zimbabwe. U.S.
Secretary of States Mr. Colin Powell met Archbishop
Ncube, a controversial cleric who dabbles in politics,
in Washington on Tuesday and `thanked' him for his
anti-Government stance. . . Diplomatic sources said
Archbishop Ncube was being rewarded for helping the
U.S. and Britain in their quest to topple President
Mugabe. . . ."

SULLIVAN