ZIMBABWE: ZAMBIA PREPARES FOR SPECIAL SADC SUMMIT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LUSAKA 000412 SIPDIS FOR AF/DAS CAROL THOMPSON FOR AF/S MARY JO WILLS, STEVE HILL, MATT SHIELDS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL SADC ZA ZI SUBJECT: ZIMBABWE: ZAMBIA PREPARES FOR SPECIAL SADC SUMMIT REF: A. LUSAKA 408 ¶B. LUSAKA 407 ¶C. 07 LUSAKA 963 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Zambian Foreign Ministry and cabinet office officials have confirmed that President Mwanawasa called a summit of Southern African Development Community (SADC) heads of state to discuss Zimbabwe for Saturday, April 12 in Lusaka. The Ambassador and emboffs underscored USG messages on the Zimbabwean elections during April 10 meetings with key government officials. We understand President Mugabe is on the invite list and opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai may add a Saturday stop in Lusaka to his southern African itinerary. Post has commended the Zambians for taking this initiative and tried to "buck then up" as they prepare for what many anticipate will be intense closed discussions. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) Ambassador Martinez spoke with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Tens Kapoma at OOB on April 10, and Kapoma confirmed plans for a Saturday summit of Southern African Development Community leaders to discuss Zimbabwe. He corroborated reports that Zimbabwean President Mugabe had been invited, but noted that the Government of Zambia was still awaiting replies from all SADC Heads of State. Foreign Minister Kabinga Pande will return from India in time for the meetings, Kapoma told the Ambassador. ¶3. (SBU) The Ambassador welcomed the SADC Chairperson Mwanawasa's initiative, noting that the USG supports African governments' efforts to resolve African problems. She also stressed the importance the USG places on the release of the Zimbabwean presidential election results, and underscored that the presidential vote tabulation must be seen by the citizens of Zimbabwe and the rest of the world as having been transparent and credible. ¶4. (SBU) Later on April 10, DCM and Poloff called on Secretary to the Cabinet Joshua Kanganja - the highest ranking and most influential civil servant in government. DCM praised President Mwanawasa for his statesmanship, and for "doing the right thing" by convening SADC leaders, noting Washington's support for the initiative. Subtly challenging Zambia to show resolve during the weekend meetings, DCM discussed the already intense international media coverage of the summit, observing that the "world's eyes will be on Lusaka this Saturday." DCM encouraged Zambia to call for the immediate release of Zimbabwe's election results. Although Kanganja said Zambians "do not want to interfere" in another country's internal matters, in principle he supported the need for immediate release of the results. "The voters have cast their ballots and they need to see the results," he said. ¶5. (SBU) Kanganja balanced the urgency of resolving the Zimbabwean crisis with a need for prudence. Citing the humanitarian, security, and economic impacts on neighboring countries that turmoil in Zimbabwe could have, Kanganja said Zambia "cannot afford to get it wrong." He reminded Emboffs of the economic costs to Zambia of regional freedom struggles and southern and central African civil wars in previous years, and suggested that Zambia could not afford the consequences of civil strife in Zimbabwe. ¶6. (SBU) DCM said Zambia provided positive examples for its neighbors, including first President Kaunda's surprise at, but acceptance of, the results of the 1991 multiparty elections, Zambia's peaceful resolution of close polls in 2001, and the rapid release of election results in Zambia's 2006 tripartite election. Kanganja agreed and said "it was in the best interest of everyone" to help find a solution in Zimbabwe. ¶7. (U) Local independent daily The Post carried President Mwanawasa's comments at an April 8 press briefing where he announced his call for a summit on Zimbabwe, explaining "...because of the deepening problems in the country, I felt that this matter should be dealt with at the Presidential level." He reportedly said he called the extraordinary summit "to discuss the ways and means of assisting the people of Zimbabwe with the current impasse as well as adopt a coordinated approach to the situation in the country." He appealed to Zimbabweans for "peace and patience" amid the high tension in the wake of "inconclusive" presidential election results. ¶8. (U) PAO has heard rumors that Zimbabwean opposition presidential contender Morgan Tsvangirai, on a swing through SADC states this week, plans to stop off in Lusaka during the SADC summit. Local media authorities confirm a flood of requests for international media to cover Saturday's SADC meeting. ¶9. (SBU) According to Dutch diplomats, EU ambassadors in Lusaka plan to meet in Lusaka on Friday, April 11 to confer on a coordinated response to the summit. An Irish embassy official told Poloff that she expected low turnout at the Lusaka summit since so many SADC leaders were attending the Indo-African meetings in New LUSAKA 00000412 002 OF 002 Delhi. ¶10. (SBU) Comment: We are not completely sure of the genesis of the call for the summit, but if Mwanawasa was indeed the catalyst (and given several opportunities, Kanganja did not deny this),it is a rather gutsy move for him, particularly after his experience at the SADC Heads of State meeting in August 2007 (Ref C). Local observers believe that access to the summit will be limited; press conferences and diplomatic corps briefings (if held at all),will likely be tardy and anodyne. Emboffs hope to leverage the visit of Zimbabwean civil society representatives and journalists and the presence of foreign press to drive home U.S. messages during the summit. MARTINEZ