GOZ BANS MDC MARCH; MDC PLANS TO GO AHEAD

UNCLAS HARARE 000042 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS 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: GOZ BANS MDC MARCH; MDC PLANS TO GO AHEAD ¶1. (U) After granting written permission on January 18 for an MDC march on Wendesday, planned to protest the GOZ's refusal to implement a new constitution before elections and to postpone the electiond date, police yesterday rescinded approval. Police justified their action by claiming opposition leaders had violated a pledge to ensure the march remained peaceful. In a press conference later in the day, MDC (Tsvangirai faction) secretary general Tendai Biti vowed the march would proceed despite the order banning it. ¶2. (U) Comment. The planned demonstration is part of series of rallies the MDC hopes to hold over the coming weeks. On Sunday, a rally in the high-density suburb of Highfield drew over 10,000 people and the MDC was hoping for much greater numbers on Wednesday. The government ban and past government action in violently suppressing MDC rallies is likely to deter people from participating on Wednesday. Additionally, police will undoubtedly stop people from traveling from high density suburbs to the city center where the march is supposed to begin. ¶3. (SBU) Comment continued. The GOZ's action defies the spirit of the SADC negotiations by closing rather than opening democratic space. If the government uses violence against marchers, this will be a clear signal it intends to perpetuate ZANU-PF rule at all costs, and that it considers SADC irrelevant. On the other side, the number of MDC members who participate will be a test of MDC organization and whether the MDC is prepared to defy government repression. End Comment MCGEE