CIVIL SOCIETY A NO-SHOW AT NCA DEMONSTRATION

UNCLAS HARARE 001497 SIPDIS AF/S FOR BNEULING NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR C. COURVELLE, D. TEITELBAUM PARIS FOR C. NEARY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM ZI SUBJECT: CIVIL SOCIETY A NO-SHOW AT NCA DEMONSTRATION REF: A. HARARE 778 ¶B. HARARE 220 ¶1. (SBU) The National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) had planned two demonstrations for September 1, according to NCA Chairman Lovemore Madhuku. The first, intended to be a demonstration by a small group in front of the South African Embassy, failed to materialize. An NCA member delivered a letter to the South African Ambassador before the demonstration, and by the time he emerged the police had arrived. The second, planned to include about 500 NCA members and individuals from other organizations, occurred in downtown Harare. According to Madhuku, about 200 NCA members participated in the demonstration while a larger group of about 300 was blocked by police from participating. Madhuku said about 30 were arrested and several demonstrators were injured. ¶2. (SBU) Madhuku said most other opposition organizations stayed away from the demonstrations, although they were informed about both in advance. He said another demonstration would be planned for the near future, for which he hoped to get better turnout. ¶3. (SBU) COMMENT: NCA continues to be the only part of the opposition willing to organize and participate in street demonstrations (see reftels). As evidenced by the lack of turnout, members of other organizations and ordinary citizens are not willing to risk physical and economic consequences. Without the involvement of other opposition groups, the effectiveness of the demonstrations is questionable. END COMMENT Dell