Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07HANOI530
2007-03-21 01:50:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Hanoi
Cable title:
DEMARCHE ON DEMOCRACY IN ZIMBABWE - GVN NOT WILLING TO
how-toVZCZCXRO0771 RR RUEHHM DE RUEHHI #0530 0800150 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 210150Z MAR 07 FM AMEMBASSY HANOI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4936 INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH 2773
UNCLAS HANOI 000530
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM ZI VM
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON DEMOCRACY IN ZIMBABWE - GVN NOT WILLING TO
ENGAGE
REF: State 34009
UNCLAS HANOI 000530
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM ZI VM
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON DEMOCRACY IN ZIMBABWE - GVN NOT WILLING TO
ENGAGE
REF: State 34009
1. (SBU) On March 20, Poloff met with MFA West Asia and Africa
Department Southern Africa Desk Officer Cao Vu Mai to deliver reftel
points on building international support for democracy in Zimbabwe.
Poloff also left a copy of the Secretary's and Department
Spokesman's statements. When asked for the GVN's position on the
situation, Mai pointed out that Zimbabwe is far from Vietnam and
that Vietnam does not have an embassy there. She hopes the African
Union will help, since it is "their problem," but in the same breath
said "it is up to the people of Zimbabwe to solve the problem
themselves." She referred to remarks by South African President
Thabo Mbeki that "the situation in Zimbabwe does not affect its
neighbors" and that "problems in Zimbabwe should be solved by the
Zimbabwe people themselves." South Africa, as a neighbor of
Zimbabwe, should understand better than the GVN, added Mai. She
also cited Russia and China's blocking of action on Zimbabwe at the
UN, suggesting an international consensus on Zimbabwe is lacking,
and the failure of African Union Chairman Kufuor to propose any
concrete action. Poloff reiterated that the Government of
Zimbabwe's actions violate its basic human rights obligations and
that a strong, unified response by the international community could
bring about positive change.
2. (SBU) Comment. In light of Vietnam's strong candidacy for a
2008-2009 seat on the UN Security Council, the GVN's reaction to the
current situation in Zimbabwe indicates it will take some work to
ensure that they "get it" when it comes to issues like this. End
comment.
MARINE
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM ZI VM
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON DEMOCRACY IN ZIMBABWE - GVN NOT WILLING TO
ENGAGE
REF: State 34009
1. (SBU) On March 20, Poloff met with MFA West Asia and Africa
Department Southern Africa Desk Officer Cao Vu Mai to deliver reftel
points on building international support for democracy in Zimbabwe.
Poloff also left a copy of the Secretary's and Department
Spokesman's statements. When asked for the GVN's position on the
situation, Mai pointed out that Zimbabwe is far from Vietnam and
that Vietnam does not have an embassy there. She hopes the African
Union will help, since it is "their problem," but in the same breath
said "it is up to the people of Zimbabwe to solve the problem
themselves." She referred to remarks by South African President
Thabo Mbeki that "the situation in Zimbabwe does not affect its
neighbors" and that "problems in Zimbabwe should be solved by the
Zimbabwe people themselves." South Africa, as a neighbor of
Zimbabwe, should understand better than the GVN, added Mai. She
also cited Russia and China's blocking of action on Zimbabwe at the
UN, suggesting an international consensus on Zimbabwe is lacking,
and the failure of African Union Chairman Kufuor to propose any
concrete action. Poloff reiterated that the Government of
Zimbabwe's actions violate its basic human rights obligations and
that a strong, unified response by the international community could
bring about positive change.
2. (SBU) Comment. In light of Vietnam's strong candidacy for a
2008-2009 seat on the UN Security Council, the GVN's reaction to the
current situation in Zimbabwe indicates it will take some work to
ensure that they "get it" when it comes to issues like this. End
comment.
MARINE