ZAMBIAN MEDIA COVERS RICE-MWANAWASA CONVERSATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L LUSAKA 000525

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/12/2018
TAGS: PREL PHUM SADC ZA ZI
SUBJECT: ZAMBIAN MEDIA COVERS RICE-MWANAWASA CONVERSATION
AND FOCUSES ON HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE IN ZIM

REF: STATE 50150

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


1. (U) On May 11, the state-owned Sunday Times of Zambia
provided front-page coverage of Secretary Rice's phone
conversations with President Mwanawasa and other African
leaders to encourage broader regional efforts to resolve the
Zimbabwe electoral crisis. The front-page article, entitled
"Rice Seeks Levy Insight On Zimbabwe," referred to A/S
McCormack's remarks that Secretary Rice is drawing upon the
"deep insights" of leaders in the region. The article noted
additional reports of human rights abuse and violence in
Zimbabwe and conveyed a World Bank warning that instability
in Zimbabwe will pose a threat to Zambia's development
programs.


2. (U) Other papers have also been quick to report on human
rights abuse in Zimbabwe. On May 13, the daily independent
newspaper The Post included articles on Mugabe's refusal to
admit international election observers and on allegations
made by the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights
that Zimbababwe security forces are conducting a "campaign of
terror." The Post also featured a full-page advertisement by
Zimbabwe Democracy Now containing graphic depictions of
violence supported by Mugabe's government. The state-owned
Times of Zambia included a headline "Zambia Scoffs at
Zimbabwe," conveying GRZ reactions to Zimbabwean criticism of
Mwanawasa and calling for the Government of Zimbabwe "to
exercise humility and show decency."


3. (C) Comment: In light of alleged Zimbabwean criticism of
Zambia, the Sunday Times seemed to appreciate U.S.
recognition of Mwanawasa's "insights." There is notably
increasing local media attention to human rights violations
in Zimbabwe and the need for free and fair elections.
Reports of public affronts against Mwanawasa by Zimbabwean
officials and journalists are propelling stronger Zambian
resentment against Mugabe and disapproval of the situation in
Zimbabwe. On May 12, in a conversation with the Ambassador,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Kapoma and
Minister of Information Mulongoti voiced their annoyance and
frustration with Mugabe's continuing refusal to speak to
Mwanawasa and with Mugabe's attempts to blame Mwanawasa for
failing to have the sanctions lifted. As one senior military
official told Poloff, "Regardless of what we think of
Mwanawasa, we do not like for him to be criticized in another
country. We must rally behind him."

MARTINEZ