Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08GABORONE647
2008-07-31 20:32:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Gaborone
Cable title:
BOTSWANA FIRM BUT ISOLATED IN SADC OVER ZIMBABWE
how-toO 312032Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY GABORONE TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5172 AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA INFO SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE USEU BRUSSELS USMISSION USUN NEW YORK HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L GABORONE 000647
DEPARTMENT FOR AF AND AF/S; ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV SADC SOCI BC ZI
SUBJECT: BOTSWANA FIRM BUT ISOLATED IN SADC OVER ZIMBABWE
REF: STATE 79617
Classified By: CDA Philip R. Drouin; Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L GABORONE 000647
DEPARTMENT FOR AF AND AF/S; ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV SADC SOCI BC ZI
SUBJECT: BOTSWANA FIRM BUT ISOLATED IN SADC OVER ZIMBABWE
REF: STATE 79617
Classified By: CDA Philip R. Drouin; Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Acting P/E Chief Woods delivered demarche per reftel
on July 29 to MFA Assistant Director of the Americas Desk
Shimane Kelaotswe. He expressed deep appreciation for USG
support of Botswana's approach on Zimbabwe following the
flawed June 27 election. Kelaotswe intimated that both the
MFA Permanent Secretary and his Deputy have been away from
Gaborone on other (unspecified) business, but promised to
pass our points to them and get a senior MFA reply back to us
as soon as possible.
2. (C) During a July 30 meeting, Charge Drouin gave Office of
the President Deputy Permanent Secretary Mustaq Moorad a copy
of the points contained in reftel. Moorad nodded in
agreement that the USG position is very close to the one
Botswana has staked out vis-a-vis Zimabawe since the June 27
vote. Charge commended Botswana on its stand and asked if
more SADC states are coming around to Botswana's point of
view on Zimbabwe. Moorad expressed some frustration and
despair that when Foreign Minister Skelemani and Minister of
Defense, Justice, and Security Seretse had attended a recent
gathering related to the SADC Organ on Politics, Defense, and
Security Affairs, Botswana had become increasingly isolated
from other SADC member states. Moorad did add, however, that
the GOB (from President Khama on down) had taken this
principled stand on Zimbabwe, and they were "not going back"
on this position.
DROUIN
DEPARTMENT FOR AF AND AF/S; ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV SADC SOCI BC ZI
SUBJECT: BOTSWANA FIRM BUT ISOLATED IN SADC OVER ZIMBABWE
REF: STATE 79617
Classified By: CDA Philip R. Drouin; Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Acting P/E Chief Woods delivered demarche per reftel
on July 29 to MFA Assistant Director of the Americas Desk
Shimane Kelaotswe. He expressed deep appreciation for USG
support of Botswana's approach on Zimbabwe following the
flawed June 27 election. Kelaotswe intimated that both the
MFA Permanent Secretary and his Deputy have been away from
Gaborone on other (unspecified) business, but promised to
pass our points to them and get a senior MFA reply back to us
as soon as possible.
2. (C) During a July 30 meeting, Charge Drouin gave Office of
the President Deputy Permanent Secretary Mustaq Moorad a copy
of the points contained in reftel. Moorad nodded in
agreement that the USG position is very close to the one
Botswana has staked out vis-a-vis Zimabawe since the June 27
vote. Charge commended Botswana on its stand and asked if
more SADC states are coming around to Botswana's point of
view on Zimbabwe. Moorad expressed some frustration and
despair that when Foreign Minister Skelemani and Minister of
Defense, Justice, and Security Seretse had attended a recent
gathering related to the SADC Organ on Politics, Defense, and
Security Affairs, Botswana had become increasingly isolated
from other SADC member states. Moorad did add, however, that
the GOB (from President Khama on down) had taken this
principled stand on Zimbabwe, and they were "not going back"
on this position.
DROUIN