Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06HARARE1190
2006-09-26 14:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Harare
Cable title:
ANOTHER NCA MARCH AND MORE BEATINGS ADDS TO
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C O N F I D E N T I A L HARARE 001190
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
AF/S FOR S. HILL
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR C. COURVILLE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/26/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL ASEC ZI
SUBJECT: ANOTHER NCA MARCH AND MORE BEATINGS ADDS TO
PRESSURE ON GOZ
REF: A. REF A: HARARE 1175
B. REF B: HARARE 1162
Classified By: Ambassador Christopher W. Dell under Section 1.4 b/d
C O N F I D E N T I A L HARARE 001190
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
AF/S FOR S. HILL
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR C. COURVILLE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/26/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL ASEC ZI
SUBJECT: ANOTHER NCA MARCH AND MORE BEATINGS ADDS TO
PRESSURE ON GOZ
REF: A. REF A: HARARE 1175
B. REF B: HARARE 1162
Classified By: Ambassador Christopher W. Dell under Section 1.4 b/d
1. (SBU) Approximately 300 National Constitutional Assembly
(NCA) members marched in downtown Harare on September 25,
seeking to deliver a petition calling for a new constitution
to Parliament. The police were initially caught unaware due
to the high level of secrecy surrounding the planning.
However, they responded quickly, violently breaking up the
march. According to NCA spokesperson Madock Chivasa, many
of the NCA activists, who were predominately women, were
badly beaten. According to Chivasa, police told the
marchers that instead of being arrested, they would simply
receive a beating to minimize the publicity. Sources from
USG-funded Amani Trust told us that over twenty of the
activists sustained serious tissue injuries that required
medical care.
2. (C) Chivasa told us the march was a continuation of last
week's nationwide demonstrations (ref B). He said the NCA
plans to conduct regular marches ) "daily, if possible" - in
an effort to maintain the pressure on the GOZ. The next
march is planned for September 27. Setting the stage for a
potentially larger confrontation, we have noticed a
significant increase in the presence of police in riot gear
and plain-clothed police in downtown Harare in recent days.
3. (SBU) In a related development, President Mugabe addressed
a crowd of supporters September 25 at the airport on his
return from the UNGA and felt compelled to once more defend
the actions of the police. Mugabe told the crowd that the
ZCTU demonstrators and others who "resist police orders" were
inviting a violent response and he blasted the U.S. and the
EU for their criticisms of GOZ tactics, saying Zimbabwe had
"no apologies to make." Mugabe also claimed that the
Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) had come to
Zimbabwe as "agents of imperialism" to destabilize the regime
(ref A).
--------------
Comment
--------------
4. (C) The regime's blatant brutality in response to
peaceful protests appears to have failed in its intended
effect. Instead of frightening the opposition into
submission, it is increasingly being seen by the opposition
as a sign of the government,s weakness and desperation. The
NCA and the rest of the opposition may be on to a winning
strategy, as regular marches not only further strain the
GOZ's resources but also build confidence among opposition
supporters. We need to do our part by continuing to marshal
international opinion against the regime and by expressing
our support for Zimbabweans' right to meet and assemble.
That the international attention is having an effect is
evidenced by Mugabe's increasingly strident efforts to
publicly defend and justify GOZ repression, in the process
further undermining his support among once sympathetic
audiences such as the CBTU and elements of the EU. As
against that, however, the GOZ seems to be effectively
stifling public news concerning the NCA march, suggesting it
is wising up to the harm it has done itself in crowing about
the ZCTU beatings.
DELL
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
AF/S FOR S. HILL
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR C. COURVILLE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/26/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL ASEC ZI
SUBJECT: ANOTHER NCA MARCH AND MORE BEATINGS ADDS TO
PRESSURE ON GOZ
REF: A. REF A: HARARE 1175
B. REF B: HARARE 1162
Classified By: Ambassador Christopher W. Dell under Section 1.4 b/d
1. (SBU) Approximately 300 National Constitutional Assembly
(NCA) members marched in downtown Harare on September 25,
seeking to deliver a petition calling for a new constitution
to Parliament. The police were initially caught unaware due
to the high level of secrecy surrounding the planning.
However, they responded quickly, violently breaking up the
march. According to NCA spokesperson Madock Chivasa, many
of the NCA activists, who were predominately women, were
badly beaten. According to Chivasa, police told the
marchers that instead of being arrested, they would simply
receive a beating to minimize the publicity. Sources from
USG-funded Amani Trust told us that over twenty of the
activists sustained serious tissue injuries that required
medical care.
2. (C) Chivasa told us the march was a continuation of last
week's nationwide demonstrations (ref B). He said the NCA
plans to conduct regular marches ) "daily, if possible" - in
an effort to maintain the pressure on the GOZ. The next
march is planned for September 27. Setting the stage for a
potentially larger confrontation, we have noticed a
significant increase in the presence of police in riot gear
and plain-clothed police in downtown Harare in recent days.
3. (SBU) In a related development, President Mugabe addressed
a crowd of supporters September 25 at the airport on his
return from the UNGA and felt compelled to once more defend
the actions of the police. Mugabe told the crowd that the
ZCTU demonstrators and others who "resist police orders" were
inviting a violent response and he blasted the U.S. and the
EU for their criticisms of GOZ tactics, saying Zimbabwe had
"no apologies to make." Mugabe also claimed that the
Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) had come to
Zimbabwe as "agents of imperialism" to destabilize the regime
(ref A).
--------------
Comment
--------------
4. (C) The regime's blatant brutality in response to
peaceful protests appears to have failed in its intended
effect. Instead of frightening the opposition into
submission, it is increasingly being seen by the opposition
as a sign of the government,s weakness and desperation. The
NCA and the rest of the opposition may be on to a winning
strategy, as regular marches not only further strain the
GOZ's resources but also build confidence among opposition
supporters. We need to do our part by continuing to marshal
international opinion against the regime and by expressing
our support for Zimbabweans' right to meet and assemble.
That the international attention is having an effect is
evidenced by Mugabe's increasingly strident efforts to
publicly defend and justify GOZ repression, in the process
further undermining his support among once sympathetic
audiences such as the CBTU and elements of the EU. As
against that, however, the GOZ seems to be effectively
stifling public news concerning the NCA march, suggesting it
is wising up to the harm it has done itself in crowing about
the ZCTU beatings.
DELL