MDC GENERAL SECRETARY IN ACCRA: SEEKS GREATER

C O N F I D E N T I A L ACCRA 000526

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/FO, AF/W, AF/RSA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/16/2028
TAGS: PREL PGOV ZI SF GH
SUBJECT: MDC GENERAL SECRETARY IN ACCRA: SEEKS GREATER
PRESSURE ON MUGABE


Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Sue K Brown for Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D
)


1. (C) SUMMARY: On April 16, Zimbabwe's Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC) Secretary General Tendai Biti, who is
visiting Accra to see President Kufour, met with Western
diplomats to discuss the post-election situation in Zimbabwe.
Biti said that the MDC would call on the international
community to impose economic sanctions against Zimbabwe if
President Mugabe continued in office past June 1, and that
the MDC would urge countries to withdraw recognition of
Mugabe's government. Biti added that South African President
Mbeki's role as SADC mediator is "becoming part of the
problem." Biti met later in the day with Kufour to update him
on the situation in Zimbabwe. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) MDC General Secretary Biti, accompanied by party
offical Issac Maposa, met with diplomats from the U.S., UK
and Dutch embassies in Accra on April 16 (NOTE: The meeting
took place at the MDC's request. END NOTE). Biti, who is in
Accra to meet with President Kufour, restated MDC positions
on the election, saying that President Mugabe seeks to
prolong the current period of uncertainty to play for time,
and hopes for an outcome to his advantage. The MDC believes
that election results should be released as soon as possible,
noting that Mugabe's term is legally over, and that he is
technically a caretaker president. If a runoff does occur,
the MDC would press for three conditions: 1) a new Electoral
Commission, 2) an end to violence and 3) that the Southern
African Development Community provide security forces to
insure a peaceful election. Biti said that participating in
the March 29 election was a major decision for the MDC given
the GOZ's pre-election attempts to skew voting. He called the
results a "miracle."


3. (C) The MDC officials underlined the need for
international pressure on Mugabe to continue. They said the
MDC would call for economic sanctions against Zimbabwe should
Mugabe attempt to remain in power, along with the withdrawal
of diplomatic recognition. Maposa said that sanctions would
hurt ZANU-PF leaders who are now profitting from black market
conditions.


4. (C) Discussing the role of SADC in negotiating a solution
to the crisis, Biti said South African President Mbeki is now
becoming "part of the problem" due to his perceived
unwillingness to push Mugabe, and that criticism should be
directed toward Mbeki. Other govenments, including Botswana,
Tanzania, and Zambia, have expressed a desire to be more
helpful, but there is a tendency for leaders to defer to
Mbeki in the role of mediator. The MDC officials hoped that
one southern African leader would break ranks with Mbeki and
openly say that the current impasse was not acceptable. Biti
and Maposa left the meeting to meet with President Kufour.
Biti told POLOFF that he wanted to present the facts of the
current situation to Kufour.


5. (C) Biti commented that the crisis has the capacity to
become a Kenya-like situation, with violence. He said that
the MDC was trying to pursue "legitimate efforts" through the
courts and diplomacy, and while they have the option, they
have chosen not to send people into the streets to "throw
stones and bend things." POLOFF asked Biti about the MDC's
contacts with Zimbabwean security forces. Biti said that
senior military leaders approached the MDC prior to the
election, concerned about their economic status in a
post-ZANU-PF Zimbabwe, and assurances were provided. Biti
added that the MDC was talking with other opposition parties
in Zimbabwe.


6. Later on April 16 POLOFF spoke with Maposa following the
MDC meeting with Kufour. Maposa termed it a productive
meeting. When asked if Kufour would issue a statement, Maposa
said no, "not if he wants to remain effective." When asked if
Kufour would contact Mbeki, Maposa was evasive.


7. (C) COMMENT: At this stage, we believe it is unlikely that
President Kufour will speak out publicly on the Zimbabwe
situation. During its first term, the Kufuor administration
publicly criticized Mugabe, but these statements were not
well received in Ghana, where Mugabe has long-standing
connections (having taught here and married a Ghanaian).
This assessment is shared by our UK colleagues, who were in
contact with the GOG prior to the MDC meeting. Kufour may
lobby Mbeki quietly, however. END COMMENT.
BROWN