ASIAN INDIANS WEIGH PROSPECTS IN ZIMBABWE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HARARE 001308 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR AF/S USDOC FOR AMANDA HILLIGAS TREASURY FOR OREN WYCHE-SHAW PASS USTR FLORIZELLE LISER STATE PASS USAID FOR MARJORIE COPSON USDOL FOR ROBERT YOUNG STATE FOR MARINDA HARPOLE ¶E. O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ELAB EAID BTIO EINV ECON PGOV ZI SUBJECT: ASIAN INDIANS WEIGH PROSPECTS IN ZIMBABWE ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Can Indian-Zimbabweans escape the wrath that the Mugabe government has showered upon whites? EconOff spoke with Zimbabweans of Indian descent ("Asians" in local vernacular) and an Indian Embassy representative about conditions in Zimbabwe. Some are hopeful while others are less optimistic about their future in Zimbabwe. End summary. ASIANS IN ZIMBABWE -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Indians came to Zimbabwe three or more generations ago, mostly engaging in commerce. In the latter days of Rhodesia, Asians formed strong ties to Zanu-PF and its leadership to combat discrimination. They assisted monetarily and otherwise the then-rebel ZANU-PF. Asians are now Zimbabwe's largest minority, accounting for nearly 1 percent of the population. ¶3. (SBU) The Asian community built its own society with separate schools, religious worship centers, sports clubs, etc. Interaction with indigenous Zimbabweans is limited to business transactions and general social encounters. Since land reform began, Asians have kept low profiles while quietly funding and supporting GOZ. They hope to retain their possessions and positions by publicly staying away from politics. Many attribute the white commercial farmers' sudden downfall to their public and defiant support for the opposition. RAMISH KEWADA: A ZANU-PF SUPPORTER -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Kewada owns a paint and plastics retail shop in downtown Harare. He claimed that his family had close ties to the ruling party. Kewada expressed faith in President Mugabe and GOZ's ability to better the economy. ¶5. (SBU) Kewada believes that commercial farmers are partly to blame for their fate- they were stubborn about land reform and overly confident about their ability to control events. Kewada believes Mugabe protected the commercial farmers after independence but finally had to balance land ownership. He says that the British and Americans reneged on their monetary and political support, so Mugabe did it himself. Kewada did acknowledge that political expediency also played a role in Mugabe's land reform implementation. ¶6. (SBU) Kewada believes Mugabe is not corrupt but is surrounded by corrupt advisors who do not provide him with the information he needs to make proper decisions; Mugabe is unaware of the level of corruption around him and always says something when he is made aware of it. ¶7. (SBU) Kewada does not understand why the West "wants to get Mugabe". He asked whether the West was afraid of Mugabe as an intelligent black man. EconOff told him that the West welcomes honest intellectual debate as part of its core free speech principles. Rather, it is repressive policies that the West dislikes. Kewada admitted there had been mistakes, but attributed them to corrupt advisors' mal-adherence to Mugabe's policies. ¶8. (SBU) Kewada says that Asians keep a low profile and support the ruling party. As a minority, it is their only option. Although the youth leave the country for higher education, Kewada believes they will return because this is their home and they cannot live the same luxurious life in the UK or USA. VAS NAYEE: TRYING TO SURVIVE IN A SINKING ECONOMY -------------- -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Mr. Vas Nayee owns a blue jeans manufacturing concern in Harare. He also runs the Jaipur restaurant at the Sunrise Club (the mostly-Asian sports club). Nayee expressed concern about the fate of Asians and business. ¶10. (SBU) Nayee's blue jeans business used to supply Target stores, but now survives on local and South African orders. Target shifted business to AGOA-compliant countries. At the same time, labor wants a living wage that he cannot afford. He hopes wage negotiations will produce a more modest proposal. In an hyper-inflationary and random government interventionist environment, businesses cannot plan any type of short, medium, or long- term strategy. ¶11. (SBU) Nayee feels there is not an historic tension between locals and Asians in Zimbabwe. However, recently, general resentment of Asians' quality of life has increased. Nayee has personally felt this walking into stores where people glare at him- although no one has actually physically or verbally abused him. He can just feel the suspicion and resentment in their glaring eyes. ¶12. (SBU) Nayee described how when the Joshi brothers fled, many Asians suddenly felt vulnerable. The Joshis were supposedly so connected that they were protected from anything as long as Zanu-PF remained in power. Now, they wonder if it is not such a large leap from farms to commerce. So, Asians keep a low profile in the hopes of weathering the storm. The youth are studying higher and secondary education abroad and will likely not return. ¶K. JEEVA SAGAR: AN OUTSIDE PERSPECTIVE -------------- ¶13. (SBU) Mr. Sagar is the Indian Embassy's second in charge. He stated that Asians maintain a low profile with their own schools, places of worship, etc. Their small numbers and self-enforced isolation has kept them safe. Asians' heavy involvement in the independence struggle and subsequent support for Zanu-PF and Mugabe has bought them protection. But loyalty could run out, especially when indigenous Zimbabweans generally believe that the Asian community takes advantage of business opportunities without giving back to the community. ¶14. (SBU) Sagar believes Mugabe's personal loyalty to the Asian community runs too deep for any backlash to emerge. Particular individuals, such as the Joshi brothers, may be targeted, but not the community. However, a new government (Zanu-PF, MDC, or other) may feel differently. All the elements for a backlash exist: an easily recognizable minority who enjoy an higher standard of living than the local population, who keep to themselves and do not contribute to the local society. COMMENT -------------- ¶15. (SBU) Despite Kewada's optimism, there is a general uneasiness among Asians. As the youth leave the country for higher education, they are unlikely to return after establishing lives elsewhere. Kewada himself appeared as if he were trying to convince himself. ¶16. (SBU) the low profile and financial support strategy may prove shortsighted. While Mugabe has refrained from targeting Asians, the leap is not that great from farms to other sectors (as the recent grab for conservancies illustrates). Eventually, when the land reform promises fall short, a new scapegoat will emerge. ¶17. (SBU) Once a government begins demonizing part of society, the madness may not stop until brother fights against brother. Asians are distinct in race, color, religion, and dress. They also isolate themselves from the general society. This makes them easy targets if Zanu- PF chooses. Sagar may be correct that Mugabe's loyalties run too deep, but he is 80 years old and there is no guarantee that the next Zanu-PF or other government would uphold those loyalties. The local Asian community should seek to build bridges and connect with the general society rather than retreat. WEISENFELD