SANT' EGIDIO'S PRESIDENT, FORMER PRESIDENT

UNCLAS MAPUTO 000652 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM ZI MZ SUBJECT: SANT' EGIDIO'S PRESIDENT, FORMER PRESIDENT CHISSANO ON ZIMBABWE ¶1. (SBU) The Charge spoke with former president Joaquim Chissano about Zimbabwe on July 10 at a reception hosted by Sant' Egidio founder Andrea Riccardi. Chissano said initially he did not want to speak about Zimbabwe but preferred to discuss Uganda. Nevertheless, he believed that Mbeki was doing a good job since communication was ongoing with Mugabe. Chissano had spoken with Mbeki twice during the last few months but otherwise claimed not to have engaged on Zimbabwe in the region. As Charge raised the ongoing political violence and growing international concern, Chissano said that Mbeki needed some more time. Chissano acknowledged that his name had been mentioned as someone to help in Zimbabwe, but he quickly dismissed the suggestion since he was too busy with Uganda. He continued that if the only measurement of success was Mugabe's removal, then Mbeki had not succeeded. If the result of the proposed negotiation was pre-determined, then no true negotiation could transpire. ¶2. (SBU) The Sant' Egidio President Marco Impagliazzo told the Charge of the Community's deep concern about Zimbabwe. When asked if Sant' Egidio was involved in finding solutions in Zimbabwe, as they did so effectively in sponsoring the Peace Accord which ended Mozambique's Civil War in 1992, Impagliazzo responded "No, but we would be willing to help if asked." He even suggested that Dom Mateo Zuppi, a mediator who helped with the Mozambique negotiations, would be an ideal interlocutor since he "was friends with Mugabe and visited him every year." The Charge encouraged Impagliazzo to speak with the U.S. Embassies in Rome and Vatican City should he wish to pursue the idea. ¶3. (SBU) Comment: While a reception is not an ideal venue for a detailed discussion, Chissano seemed clearly to rule out any role for himself in Zimbabwe. For historical reasons, Sant' Egidio maintains an excellent reputation in Mozambique as the facilitators of peace. If this view is shared throughout the region, and the claim's about Zuppi's relationship with Mugabe prove true, speaking with Sant' Egidio about a possible role in Zimbabwe could be a conversation worth having. End Comment. Chapman