U.S. STATEMENT FOR UNSC INFORMAL CONSULTATIONS ON

UNCLAS STATE 062605 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL UNSC XA ZI SUBJECT: U.S. STATEMENT FOR UNSC INFORMAL CONSULTATIONS ON ZIMBABWE JUNE 12 ¶1. This is an action request. USUN may draw from the talking points in para 2 below during UNSC informal consultations on the humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe on June 12. USUN should also draw on these points in speaking to the press after the consultations. ¶2. Begin talking points: -- We appreciate U/SYG Pascoe,s briefing on the worsening humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe. We are deeply troubled by the downward spiral in the welfare of the Zimbabwean people as a result of government-sanctioned violence against opposition leaders and supporters and government restrictions on the operations of NGOs. -- Since the March 29 election, 54 people have been murdered for the mere suspicion of supporting the opposition, hundreds have been arrested, and tens of thousands have been injured or forced to flee their homes. -- On June 5, the Zimbabwean government extended its campaign of intimidation to NGOs, indefinitely suspending their operations and thereby turning its back on the humanitarian needs of its own people. -- The government has even begun to use food relief as a political weapon to achieve favorable election results. On June 6, Manicaland Governor Chugudu, "war vets," military, and police hijacked a truck hired by Catholic Relief Services and diverted 20 metric tons of U.S. Government humanitarian food destined for hungry school children to ZANU-PF supporters assembled at a political rally in Mutare. -- We welcome the UN Country Team,s June 6 Statement on the Deteriorating Humanitarian Situation, and join the UN in calling on the Government of Zimbabwe to immediately rescind the decision to suspend PVO/NGO field operations and to allow access of basic humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations throughout the country. -- We fear the situation will only get worse in the days leading to the June 27 election, with inevitable humanitarian and political consequences for Zimbabwe,s neighbors. The effects of the Zimbabwean government's policies are already being felt throughout the region. For example, people of Mozambican and Malawian origins living and working in Zimbabwe have in many cases been forced to return to their countries. And in South Africa, Zimbabweans who are fleeing to escape economic collapse and political unrest have been the target of vicious anti-foreigner attacks. The situation is clearly threatening stability in the region. -- We have supported and continue to support African efforts to resolve the crisis. Unfortunately, there is no indication to date that President Mugabe or his senior leadership is listening. We hope that Assistant Secretary General Haile Menkerios will be received by President Mugabe and permitted to work unhindered in facilitating a free and fair election. -- We believe a free and fair Presidential election on June 27 is vital to the stability of Zimbabwe and of the region and believe the Security Council must remain engaged as the election date approaches. RICE