INTERIM ASSESSMENT FOR SPECIAL WATCHLIST

UNCLAS HARARE 001878 SIPDIS SENSITIVE G/TIP FOR R. YOUSEY AF/S FOR B. NEULING NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR C. COURVILLE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KWMN PHUM PREL ZI TIP SUBJECT: INTERIM ASSESSMENT FOR SPECIAL WATCHLIST COUNTRIES: HARARE RESPONSE REF: (A) STATE 228458 (B) STATE 201338 ¶1. (SBU) The GOZ is collaborating with Interpol's Subregional Bureau for Southern Africa on a Regional Working Meeting on Trafficking in Human Beings scheduled to take place in Harare November 29-30. Sources at the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) indicated that they would share with us material on the GOZ's TIP work to be submitted at the meeting. However, despite a request via an August diplomatic note and numerous subsequent direct requests for an appointment, we have been unable to secure a meeting with officials at the Central Investigation Division (CID),the ZRP office responsible for TIP issues, to develop more information for the interim assessment. CID Chief Stephen Mutamba told us that he would be willing to meet us but needed the approval of the ZRP Commissioner, which has yet to come. MFA counterparts told us in August that they would facilitate a meeting and wanted to cooperate on TIP, a "shared priority," but have been unable to secure the meeting. Accordingly, for now we have little to report about the areas of inquiry identified in ref A but will relay information upon receipt of the working papers or after a meeting with the ZRP or other GOZ offices with a role in TIP. ¶2. (SBU) COMMENT: Police reticence to deal with us on TIP is not surprising. Career-minded GOZ officials at every level are suspicious of foreign inquiries and afraid of disclosing information that might be prejudicial to the GOZ if publicized. GOZ co-sponsorship of the regional conference and occasional coverage of TIP-related issues by the state media suggest some degree of seriousness about the issue, however. Indeed, the regional conference presents an opportunity for us to reduce suspicions and to project our shared interests in TIP. We will continue to seek meetings with the ZRP and other relevant offices to discuss GOZ's anti-TIP efforts and will send an observer to the Harare Working Meeting. WEISENFELD