Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KIGALI503
2008-07-28 15:48:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kigali
how-toVZCZCXYZ0009 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHLGB #0503 2101548 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 281548Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY KIGALI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5479 INFO RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 0267 RUEHJB/AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA 0359 RUEHDR/AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM 1174 RUEHSB/AMEMBASSY HARARE 0297 RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 1943 RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA 0494 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0274 RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 1271 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0535 RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 1978
UNCLAS KIGALI 000503
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/S (GARLAND AND PELLETREAU)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL SADC RW
SUBJECT: RWANDA: ZIMBABWE DEMARCH DELIVERED
REF: STATE 79617
(SBU) Mission delivered reftel Zimbabwe demarche to the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 28. In the absence of
the Foreign Minister (now on two weeks leave, as other
members of the cabinet),IO Chief Ben Rutsinga agreed that
the "best" result would be the retirement from active
political life of President Mugabe, and the holding of new
elections in the near future. A "soft-landing" for Mugabe,
with an "honorable" departure, would be required, he
suggested. Rutsinga said that if, as part of a political
settlement, Mugabe remained as head of ZANU-PF, he would
"continue to lead the country" to the detriment of the
Zimbabwean people. However, after offering these thoughts,
Rutsinga cautioned that the GOR would not "get out in front
of" the African Union position on Zimbabwe nor the SADC/Mbeki
facilitation of talks.
SIM