Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KIGALI503
2008-07-28 15:48:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kigali
Cable title:  

RWANDA: ZIMBABWE DEMARCH DELIVERED

Tags:  PREL SADC RW 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0009
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