Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07HARARE474
2007-05-30 13:35:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Harare
Cable title:
MDC TALKS BREAK DOWN
VZCZCXRO0011 RR RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHSB #0474 1501335 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 301335Z MAY 07 FM AMEMBASSY HARARE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1539 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA 1613 RUEHAR/AMEMBASSY ACCRA 1480 RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 1617 RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 0276 RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 0882 RUEHDK/AMEMBASSY DAKAR 1245 RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 1673 RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 4079 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1442 RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 2100 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0740 RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1834
C O N F I D E N T I A L HARARE 000474
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
AF/S FOR S.HILL
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU
ADDIS ABABA FOR ACSS
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR E.LOKEN
STATE PASS TO NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR B.PITTMAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/09/2012
TAGS: PGOV ZI
SUBJECT: MDC TALKS BREAK DOWN
Classified By: Ambassador Christopher Dell under Section 1.4 b/d
C O N F I D E N T I A L HARARE 000474
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
AF/S FOR S.HILL
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU
ADDIS ABABA FOR ACSS
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR E.LOKEN
STATE PASS TO NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR B.PITTMAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/09/2012
TAGS: PGOV ZI
SUBJECT: MDC TALKS BREAK DOWN
Classified By: Ambassador Christopher Dell under Section 1.4 b/d
1. (C) MDC Pro-Senate MP David Coltart, who has represented
his faction in unity negotiations with the Anti-Senate
faction since August, told the Ambassador May 24 that
negotiations had ground to a halt. Coltart said that as of
last November he became convinced that unity was impossible
but that there was a good chance of achieving a coalition.
Discussions between the two sides continued fitfully until
Easter when the two sides had a "fantastic" session.
Agreement in principle was reached on the following: 1)
Morgan Tsvangirai would be the one candidate for president;
2) if elected, Tsvangirai would select Arthur Mutambara as
vice-president; and 3) there would be a sharing of
portfolios, with the anti-Senate side having a balance of
three but with equal distribution of portfolios in key
ministries; 4) each side would run unopposed by the other
faction in currently-held constituencies; and 5) equity in
selecting candidates to run in constituencies now held by
ZANU-PF.
2. (C) After delays in signing a coalition accord, the
factions met last week in South Africa. According to
Coltart, the anti-Senate faction presented a new agreement
calling for two vice-presidents*presumably one from each
faction*and an electoral college to select candidates. He
said the anti-Senate faction backed down on the issue of two
vice-presidents, but was insisting on an electoral college.
According to Coltart, this was an absolute non-starter. An
electoral college would be unwieldy and subject to CIO
infiltration. While his side was willing to continue
negotiations, Coltart was not optimistic.
DELL
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
AF/S FOR S.HILL
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU
ADDIS ABABA FOR ACSS
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR E.LOKEN
STATE PASS TO NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR B.PITTMAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/09/2012
TAGS: PGOV ZI
SUBJECT: MDC TALKS BREAK DOWN
Classified By: Ambassador Christopher Dell under Section 1.4 b/d
1. (C) MDC Pro-Senate MP David Coltart, who has represented
his faction in unity negotiations with the Anti-Senate
faction since August, told the Ambassador May 24 that
negotiations had ground to a halt. Coltart said that as of
last November he became convinced that unity was impossible
but that there was a good chance of achieving a coalition.
Discussions between the two sides continued fitfully until
Easter when the two sides had a "fantastic" session.
Agreement in principle was reached on the following: 1)
Morgan Tsvangirai would be the one candidate for president;
2) if elected, Tsvangirai would select Arthur Mutambara as
vice-president; and 3) there would be a sharing of
portfolios, with the anti-Senate side having a balance of
three but with equal distribution of portfolios in key
ministries; 4) each side would run unopposed by the other
faction in currently-held constituencies; and 5) equity in
selecting candidates to run in constituencies now held by
ZANU-PF.
2. (C) After delays in signing a coalition accord, the
factions met last week in South Africa. According to
Coltart, the anti-Senate faction presented a new agreement
calling for two vice-presidents*presumably one from each
faction*and an electoral college to select candidates. He
said the anti-Senate faction backed down on the issue of two
vice-presidents, but was insisting on an electoral college.
According to Coltart, this was an absolute non-starter. An
electoral college would be unwieldy and subject to CIO
infiltration. While his side was willing to continue
negotiations, Coltart was not optimistic.
DELL