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