Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PRETORIA820
2008-04-17 15:16:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Pretoria
Cable title:
AMBASSADOR REQUEST TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST ZIMBABWEAN
VZCZCXRO0844 OO RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHSA #0820 1081516 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 171516Z APR 08 FM AMEMBASSY PRETORIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4191 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHTN/AMCONSUL CAPE TOWN IMMEDIATE 5530 RUEHDU/AMCONSUL DURBAN IMMEDIATE 9755 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRETORIA 000820
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR ASSISTANT SECRETARY JENDAYI FRAZER FROM AMBASSADOR BOST
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/17/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL SF ZI
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR REQUEST TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST ZIMBABWEAN
ARMS SHIPMENT
Classified By: Chief of Mission Eric M. Bost. Reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRETORIA 000820
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR ASSISTANT SECRETARY JENDAYI FRAZER FROM AMBASSADOR BOST
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/17/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL SF ZI
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR REQUEST TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST ZIMBABWEAN
ARMS SHIPMENT
Classified By: Chief of Mission Eric M. Bost. Reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
1. (C) As you may be aware, there is currently a Chinese
vessel outside the port of Durban carrying six containers of
small arms ammunition, mortar ammunition, and mortar tubes.
The containers are consigned to the Zimbabwean Air Force. I
understand that technically the shipment is legal. According
to a statement from SAG Spokesperson Themba Maseko today, the
SAG will not interfere with the shipment, arguing that, "We
are not in a position to act unilaterally and interfere in a
trade deal between two countries." Our DATT also has
reliable information that the SAG Conventional Arms Control
Committee and Minister of Defense Lekota approved the
importation, transport, and exportation of the arms on or
about 14 April 2008.
2. (C) I believe that we need to speak out against the
transportation of arms into Zimbabwe for three reasons.
First, I would argue that this shipment should be halted
temporarily on moral grounds since it is possible that these
weapons may be misused against the Zimbabwean citizenry,
especially the opposition. Second, I would argue for
practical reasons that should ZANU-PF collapse, these weapons
could find their way onto the regional market. Third, though
we cannot legally stop the shipment, I believe that public
statements on our part that express our concern about the
potential use of these weapons may give the SAG pause.
3. (U) With these reasons in mind, I would like to make the
following statement here in Pretoria.
BEGIN TEXT
"The US Government is aware that there is a shipment of
weapons, including three million rounds of small arms
ammunition, from China outside the port of Durban awaiting
transit through South Africa to the Zimbabwean military. We
understand that this shipment is technically legal. However,
we urge the SAG and other governments in the region in the
strongest possible terms to temporarily deny transit through
their countries. We are arguing not on legal grounds, but on
moral grounds. Given the current electoral crisis in
Zimbabwe, coupled with the fact that security forces have
already been deployed to abuse the citizens of Zimbabwe
(especially opposition members),we fear that these bullets
are more likely to be used against the Zimbabwean citizens
than any outside threat. These weapons should not go to
Zimbabwe until it is clear that they will not be used against
the Zimbabwean citizenry. While the US has no direct
influence over the technical or administrative process of the
transit, I fear these bullets could cause a tragedy in
Zimbabwe. I would be remiss if I didn't take every
opportunity to speak out to prevent it.
END TEXT
4. (U) I understand that this shipment could move imminently,
perhaps even today. I urge the Department clearance of this
language expeditiously.
BOST
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR ASSISTANT SECRETARY JENDAYI FRAZER FROM AMBASSADOR BOST
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/17/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL SF ZI
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR REQUEST TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST ZIMBABWEAN
ARMS SHIPMENT
Classified By: Chief of Mission Eric M. Bost. Reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
1. (C) As you may be aware, there is currently a Chinese
vessel outside the port of Durban carrying six containers of
small arms ammunition, mortar ammunition, and mortar tubes.
The containers are consigned to the Zimbabwean Air Force. I
understand that technically the shipment is legal. According
to a statement from SAG Spokesperson Themba Maseko today, the
SAG will not interfere with the shipment, arguing that, "We
are not in a position to act unilaterally and interfere in a
trade deal between two countries." Our DATT also has
reliable information that the SAG Conventional Arms Control
Committee and Minister of Defense Lekota approved the
importation, transport, and exportation of the arms on or
about 14 April 2008.
2. (C) I believe that we need to speak out against the
transportation of arms into Zimbabwe for three reasons.
First, I would argue that this shipment should be halted
temporarily on moral grounds since it is possible that these
weapons may be misused against the Zimbabwean citizenry,
especially the opposition. Second, I would argue for
practical reasons that should ZANU-PF collapse, these weapons
could find their way onto the regional market. Third, though
we cannot legally stop the shipment, I believe that public
statements on our part that express our concern about the
potential use of these weapons may give the SAG pause.
3. (U) With these reasons in mind, I would like to make the
following statement here in Pretoria.
BEGIN TEXT
"The US Government is aware that there is a shipment of
weapons, including three million rounds of small arms
ammunition, from China outside the port of Durban awaiting
transit through South Africa to the Zimbabwean military. We
understand that this shipment is technically legal. However,
we urge the SAG and other governments in the region in the
strongest possible terms to temporarily deny transit through
their countries. We are arguing not on legal grounds, but on
moral grounds. Given the current electoral crisis in
Zimbabwe, coupled with the fact that security forces have
already been deployed to abuse the citizens of Zimbabwe
(especially opposition members),we fear that these bullets
are more likely to be used against the Zimbabwean citizens
than any outside threat. These weapons should not go to
Zimbabwe until it is clear that they will not be used against
the Zimbabwean citizenry. While the US has no direct
influence over the technical or administrative process of the
transit, I fear these bullets could cause a tragedy in
Zimbabwe. I would be remiss if I didn't take every
opportunity to speak out to prevent it.
END TEXT
4. (U) I understand that this shipment could move imminently,
perhaps even today. I urge the Department clearance of this
language expeditiously.
BOST