ZCTU Weighs Options After COSATU's Expulsion

UNCLAS HARARE 001783 SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/S USDOC FOR AMANDA HILLIGAS TREASURY FOR OREN WYCHE-SHAW PASS USTR FLORIZELLE LISER STATE PASS USAID FOR MARJORIE COPSON SENSITIVE ¶E. O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ELAB PGOV ECON ETRD PHUM ZI ZCTU SUBJECT: ZCTU Weighs Options After COSATU's Expulsion Ref: Harare 1770 Sensitive but unclassified. ¶1. (SBU) Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) officials have not decided whether or how to protest the GOZ's deportation of a Congress of South African Trade Union (COSATU) delegation from Zimbabwe. ZCTU Vice President Lucia Matibenga told us her labor body is waiting to see whether COSATU initiates its own protest, such as an interruption of passenger or cargo traffic between the two countries. ¶2. (SBU) Matibenga said ZCTU officials and South African Deputy Chief of Mission Kingsley Sithole were in constant telephone contact until the GOZ took the thirteen COSATU delegates across the border yesterday morning, but she expressed frustration with these exchanges. Matibenga said Sithole repeatedly criticized COSATU for undertaking a fact-finding mission without GOZ concurrence. South African Ambassador Jeremiah Ndou has declined public comment. ¶3. (SBU) Comment: Although ZCTU officials regret the harsh handling of their COSATU counterparts, they are no doubt pleased that GOZ suppression of civil liberties is gaining wider coverage in South Africa. In reality, ZCTU officials have few options and admit Zimbabweans have grown weary of stayaways, especially since the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)'s failed "Final Push" in mid-2003. For that reason, ZCTU officials welcome any revived COSATU protest against the GOZ, especially if this week's events move COSATU closer to an oft-threatened but never implemented "blockade" of Zimbabwe. However, the rather passive approach of the ZCTU - basically to sit back and watch events unfold - is not encouraging. Dell