SWEDEN SHARES USG CONCERNS ON ZIMBABWE

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRETORIA 001740 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2018 TAGS: PREL SF ZI SUBJECT: SWEDEN SHARES USG CONCERNS ON ZIMBABWE Classified By: Political Counselor Raymond L. Brown. Reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Swedish diplomat Jon Ecklund (protect) on 6 August shared his government's concerns that fundamental issues will not/not be addressed in a unity government agreement brokered by President Mbeki between MDC Leader Morgan Tsvangirai and President Robert Mugabe. He specifically mentioned that they have been disappointed by the lack of any discussion during negotiations around human rights abuses and ongoing violence, and that its absence will not lead to any kind of real "transformation." In current talks, he said it appears as if everyone is focused on power -- how to get it and how much -- rather than justice, democracy, or institutional reform. As a result, Ecklund said that Stockholm is struggling to come up with a policy on how to reengage with Zimbabwe if an agreement is signed, especially if Mugabe retains any executive power with MDC's agreement. ¶2. (C) In the meantime, Ecklund said President Mbeki asked Stockholm to speak to Mugabe to see if they could influence him in anyway. Ecklund refused to give details, but mentioned that his Foreign Affairs Minister tried but that they do not have great access or leverage over Mugabe. He also said that they are privately urging all SADC capitals to refuse to recognize Mugabe as legitimate president and head of government in any sort of unity government. In addition, Stockholm is directing all of its diplomats in SADC countries to be more "pro-active" on Zimbabwe with their host governments. By doing so, he said he realizes Stockholm is jeopardizing its relationship with President Mbeki and the ANC, but does not believe that Mbeki is aware of Stockholm's increased diplomatic pressure. Regardless, he said that Stockholm will continue its pressure using human rights issues as an anchor, adding that one of Sweden's church groups just informed them that 18 bodies were discovered floating in a dam and that they fear there are many more that they do not know about. (NOTE: Sweden's unwavering support of the ANC during apartheid has resulted in excellent relationships with the Presidency, DFA, and the ANC. Ecklund was surprised when PolOff told him that the Zimbabwe crisis has strained our relationship with DFA and said that DFA is always willing to see him. END NOTE) ¶3. (C) Last, Ecklund passed on a document entitled, "Unpacking the Memorandum of Understanding Between Zanu-PF and MDC" (sent by email to AF/S). He did not reveal the author, but said it was done by civil society members with a human rights focus, meaning though they are not officially MDC, they are probably more likely to agree with them given the current conditions in Zimbabwe. Overall, the document is pessimistic. It notes that the three parties still seem far apart, that the MoU does not address the current humanitarian crisis or justice, and that the parties all commit themselves to returning the country to "prosperity," but not to democratic principles or good governance. It also questions ZANU-PF's commitment to peace, pointing out that public statements must be accompanied by practical steps, and that this has not been the case thus far. BOST