Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08HARARE673
2008-08-08 12:17:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Harare
Cable title:
LITTLE EVIDENCE OF AGRICULTURAL CHEMICAL USE ON
how-toVZCZCXRO6494 OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHSB #0673 2211217 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 081217Z AUG 08 FM AMEMBASSY HARARE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3270 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE RUEHAR/AMEMBASSY ACCRA 2205 RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 2324 RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 0856 RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 1601 RUEHDK/AMEMBASSY DAKAR 1959 RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 2380 RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 4811 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK RHMFISS/EUCOM POLAD VAIHINGEN GE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1473 RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS HARARE 000673
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
AF/S FOR G. GARLAND
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: PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM KDEM ZI
SUBJECT: LITTLE EVIDENCE OF AGRICULTURAL CHEMICAL USE ON
POLITICAL VICTIMS
REF: HARARE 652
UNCLAS HARARE 000673
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
AF/S FOR G. GARLAND
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: PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM KDEM ZI
SUBJECT: LITTLE EVIDENCE OF AGRICULTURAL CHEMICAL USE ON
POLITICAL VICTIMS
REF: HARARE 652
1. (SBU) Despite media reports that the pesticide paraquat
has been used by ZANU-PF militia on political victims, there
is no scientific evidence to substantiate the claims.
Paraquat, an herbicide used on tobacco plantations in
Zimbabwe, has reportedly been used in two ways: forced
ingestion or on the skin, particularly in beatings.
2. (SBU) In a briefing with diplomats on July 22, Movement
for Democratic Change (MDC) Social Welfare Secretary, Kerry
Kay said that they believed there had been 30 incidents
involving beatings with sticks soaked in paraquat. There are
other reports of MDC supporters being forced to ingest
paraquat or other poisons. But Dr. Frances Lovemore, the
Counseling Services Unit (CSU) director, told diplomats on
August 5 that there is no way to corroborate these
allegations. Zimbabwe does not have the equipment to perform
the necessary toxicology tests. She also noted that paraquat
is expensive, not easily obtainable, and not widely used in
rural areas. While it is possible that agricultural
chemicals have been used in torture cases, she said it is
unlikely to have occurred on a large scale. Dr. Lovemore's
opinion substantiates the assessment by Dr. Douglas Gwatidzo,
director of Zimbabwe Doctors for Human Rights, in a
conversation with POLOFF in early July.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: Reports of agricultural chemicals to
poison or torture political victims are disturbing. While
they may have been used in isolated cases, usage in cases of
political violence does not appear to have been widespread or
systematic. END COMMENT.
MCGEE
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
AF/S FOR G. GARLAND
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: PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM KDEM ZI
SUBJECT: LITTLE EVIDENCE OF AGRICULTURAL CHEMICAL USE ON
POLITICAL VICTIMS
REF: HARARE 652
1. (SBU) Despite media reports that the pesticide paraquat
has been used by ZANU-PF militia on political victims, there
is no scientific evidence to substantiate the claims.
Paraquat, an herbicide used on tobacco plantations in
Zimbabwe, has reportedly been used in two ways: forced
ingestion or on the skin, particularly in beatings.
2. (SBU) In a briefing with diplomats on July 22, Movement
for Democratic Change (MDC) Social Welfare Secretary, Kerry
Kay said that they believed there had been 30 incidents
involving beatings with sticks soaked in paraquat. There are
other reports of MDC supporters being forced to ingest
paraquat or other poisons. But Dr. Frances Lovemore, the
Counseling Services Unit (CSU) director, told diplomats on
August 5 that there is no way to corroborate these
allegations. Zimbabwe does not have the equipment to perform
the necessary toxicology tests. She also noted that paraquat
is expensive, not easily obtainable, and not widely used in
rural areas. While it is possible that agricultural
chemicals have been used in torture cases, she said it is
unlikely to have occurred on a large scale. Dr. Lovemore's
opinion substantiates the assessment by Dr. Douglas Gwatidzo,
director of Zimbabwe Doctors for Human Rights, in a
conversation with POLOFF in early July.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: Reports of agricultural chemicals to
poison or torture political victims are disturbing. While
they may have been used in isolated cases, usage in cases of
political violence does not appear to have been widespread or
systematic. END COMMENT.
MCGEE