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