Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07PRETORIA2414
2007-07-09 15:05:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Pretoria
how-toVZCZCXRO7046 RR RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHSA #2414 1901505 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 091505Z JUL 07 FM AMEMBASSY PRETORIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0694 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1233 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1111 RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 0527 RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 0083 RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 0482 RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 1172 RUEHTN/AMCONSUL CAPE TOWN 4587 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRETORIA 002414
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/S S. HILL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/08/2017
TAGS: PREL ZI SF
SUBJECT: ZANU-PF NO SHOW AT PRETORIA TALKS
REF: PRETORIA 2210 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Donald Teitelbaum. Reasons 1.4(
b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRETORIA 002414
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/S S. HILL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/08/2017
TAGS: PREL ZI SF
SUBJECT: ZANU-PF NO SHOW AT PRETORIA TALKS
REF: PRETORIA 2210 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Donald Teitelbaum. Reasons 1.4(
b) and (d).
1. (C) The ZANU-PF negotiating team did not show up at the
July 7 South African-sponsored talks in Pretoria, according
to Roy Bennett, Treasurer of the Zimbabwean opposition party
the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). (NOTE: The first
round of the SADC/South African-mediated talks took place
June 17-18, with the two sides agreeing on an agenda
(reftel). END NOTE.) The ZANU-PF team was to be led by
Minister for Labour and Social Welfare Nicholas Goche and
Minister of Justice Patrick Chinamasa. Bennett speculated
that ZANU-PF's refusal to attend the Pretoria talks may
reflect the growing confusion within the ruling party, in
light of the deteriorating economic situation in Zimbabwe.
2. (C) In lieu of formal talks, the two MDC Secretaries
General, Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube, spent the day
discussing the agenda items with the South African
facilitation team, led by Minister Sydney Mufamadi and
Presidential Legal Advisor Mojanku Gumbi. From the MDC
perspective, the discussions went "very well." Bennett
believes the SAG now has a much better appreciation for the
MDC positions. He understands that the South African team
has gained respect for Biti. (COMMENT: This is in contrast
to the SAG's generally low regard for Tsvangirai himself.
END COMMENT.) The two MDC Secretaries General are working
well together, Bennett said, with Biti in the lead.
Bost
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/S S. HILL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/08/2017
TAGS: PREL ZI SF
SUBJECT: ZANU-PF NO SHOW AT PRETORIA TALKS
REF: PRETORIA 2210 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Donald Teitelbaum. Reasons 1.4(
b) and (d).
1. (C) The ZANU-PF negotiating team did not show up at the
July 7 South African-sponsored talks in Pretoria, according
to Roy Bennett, Treasurer of the Zimbabwean opposition party
the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). (NOTE: The first
round of the SADC/South African-mediated talks took place
June 17-18, with the two sides agreeing on an agenda
(reftel). END NOTE.) The ZANU-PF team was to be led by
Minister for Labour and Social Welfare Nicholas Goche and
Minister of Justice Patrick Chinamasa. Bennett speculated
that ZANU-PF's refusal to attend the Pretoria talks may
reflect the growing confusion within the ruling party, in
light of the deteriorating economic situation in Zimbabwe.
2. (C) In lieu of formal talks, the two MDC Secretaries
General, Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube, spent the day
discussing the agenda items with the South African
facilitation team, led by Minister Sydney Mufamadi and
Presidential Legal Advisor Mojanku Gumbi. From the MDC
perspective, the discussions went "very well." Bennett
believes the SAG now has a much better appreciation for the
MDC positions. He understands that the South African team
has gained respect for Biti. (COMMENT: This is in contrast
to the SAG's generally low regard for Tsvangirai himself.
END COMMENT.) The two MDC Secretaries General are working
well together, Bennett said, with Biti in the lead.
Bost