MUGABE EXPECTED TO DECLARE VICTORY; EAC ADVISES

UNCLAS HARARE 000246 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DS FOR IP/AF AND IP/ITA CA FOR OCS/ACS AF/S FOR S. HILL, ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU ADDIS ABABA FOR ACSS STATE PASS TO USAID FOR E. LOKEN AND L. DOBBINS STATE PASS TO NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR B. PITTMAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC CASC PGOV ZI SUBJECT: MUGABE EXPECTED TO DECLARE VICTORY; EAC ADVISES STANDFAST OVERNIGHT REF: HARARE 245 AND PREV ¶1. (SBU) Embassy contacts in both the MDC and ZANU-PF reported at 17:30 Sunday evening that President Mugabe was planning to declare himself the winner of Zimbabwe's presidential election. MDC sources understood the announcement was scheduled for 18:30 pm local time; ZANU-PF sources were less definitive. MDC sources said the MDC would preempt the Mugabe announcement by releasing results showing that Morgan Tsvangirai won the election. ¶2. (SBU) Embassy EAC assembled at 18:30 and discussed this information. Ambassador chaired the meeting which was attended by DCM, RSO, CONS, RAO, POL, AID, MGT and DAO. The EAC agreed that Post should activate the warden network and advise all American citizens and Embassy staff to return to their homes and remain for the evening. Further information would be provided early Monday morning concerning whether to resume normal activities. ¶3. (SBU) Subsequent to the EAC, MDC sources informed Post they believed the Mugabe announcement would be delayed, so they were delaying their announcement. The EAC determined to maintain its decision to advise citizens to standfast overnight. MCGEE