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 SIPDIS SIPDIS 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 SIPDIS 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 SIPDIS 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. LUSAKA 00000477 002 OF 002 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