KAUNDA SHARES VIEWS ON ZIMBABWE'S PROBLEMS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LUSAKA 000477

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DEPT FOR AF/S AND AF/FO
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR B. PITTMAN
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 4/27/2018
TAGS: PREL SADC PHUM KDEM ZA ZI
SUBJECT: KAUNDA SHARES VIEWS ON ZIMBABWE'S PROBLEMS

REF: LUSAKA 463

Classified By: Ambassador Carmen Martinez for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary. In a meeting with AF A/S Frazer and NSC
Senior Director Pittman, former Zambian President Kenneth
Kaunda suggested that a national unity government might be
the best solution to the Zimbabwe crisis. Kaunda, who may be
sent as part of a delegation of senior statesmen to entreat
Mugabe, was reluctant to criticize his fellow liberator.
Emphasizing historical context, he blamed the problems in
Zimbabwe primarily on the UK's failure to support Zimbabwe's
land reform. Although he considered Kenya's government of
national unity as a possible model for Zimbabwe, he added few
ideas to the discussion. A/S Frazer and Pittman underscored
the importance of responding urgently to reports of gross
human rights abuse in Zimbabwe. End Summary.


2. (C) On April 27, A/S Frazer, NSC Senior Director Pittman,
and Ambassador Martinez discussed the Zimbabwe crisis with
former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda. Although Kaunda
began by referring to the situation in Zimbabwe as "mission
impossible," he quickly reverted to familiar anti-colonial
rhetoric, describing at length the history of Zimbabwe's
freedom struggle. Kaunda pointed to the UK's failure to
support Zimbabwe's land reform as the root of the problem,
and said that the current crisis would not exist if UK's
Labor-led government had honored its commitments. He
ascribed some blame to the United States for backing the UK,
and urged the international community--heads of state, in
particular--to refrain from publicly criticizing Mugabe,
something he said that would worsen the problem.


3. (C) Kaunda then asked several rhetorical questions: "Just
where are we going? What should we do? It is an
explosion--how will it open up? What will follow?" In
response he admitted, "Nobody can give you advice. I have no
answers." Kaunda, however, suggested that Kenya's government
of national unity could be a possible model for a Zimbabwe
solution. A/S Frazer noted that Zimbabwe's situation differs
from events in Kenya inasmuch as the Government of Zimbabwe,
rather than the opposition, is perpetrating the violence.
Pittman laid out the USG's concern for human rights
violations and the urgent need for the international
community to respond. Kaunda said, "We are working on it,"
but once more emphasized the importance of "lessening talks
about Mugabe at high-levels."


4. (C) The Ambassador inquired into the possibility of a
delegation of senior statesmen (Reftel),including Kaunda, to
negotiate with Mugabe. Kaunda indicated that he would be
prepared to participate, as he had done recently in Kenya,
although he was still waiting for instructions from President
Mwanawasa. He seemed unsure about its likelihood to succeed.
He emphasized the difficulty of the situation, and referred
to the stance of Mugabe's senior military and police
commanders who publicly state that they will not recognize
Tsvangirai, if elected. A/S Frazer remarked on how

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extraordinary it is that Zimbabwe's security apparatus, which
is empowered to enforce respect for the rule of law and the
constitution, seeks only to participate in partisan politics
and prop up individual leaders and colleagues.


5. (C) Comment: Despite his age (Kaunda celebrated his 84th
birthday on April 28) and deteriorating health, Kaunda has
retained his charm and life-long commitment to African
solidarity. Although conversant in the region's history, he
seemed less clear on current events and possible ways
forward. He admitted to having few ideas on whether Mugabe
is in control, whether a delegation of senior leaders could
succeed, or how the crisis could be solved. It was
particularly telling that Kaunda could not remember
Tsvangirai's name. His lack of ideas may be proportional to

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his allegiance to his former peer, and part of a ruse to stay
uninvolved. Kaunda, who stepped down from office peacefully
following an electoral defeat after 27 years in office, and
who belongs to the first generation of African liberation
leaders, may have the credentials to appeal to Mugabe.

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Whether or not he has the will or capacity to do so is
another question. End Comment.


6. (U) A/S Frazer cleared this cable.
MARTINEZ