GUIDANCE FOR SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING ON ZIMBABWE

UNCLAS STATE 066451 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNSC PREL PHUM ZI XA ZU SUBJECT: GUIDANCE FOR SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING ON ZIMBABWE ¶1. This is an action request. USUN may draw from the talking points in para 2 below during the UNSC formal meeting on the situation in Zimbabwe. USUN should also draw on these points in speaking to the press after the meeting. ¶2. Begin talking points: -- We appreciate (Under Secretary General Pascoe,s) briefing on the worsening situation in Zimbabwe. We are appalled by the downward spiral in the welfare of the Zimbabwean people as a result of government-sanctioned violence against opposition leaders and supporters and the government restrictions on humanitarian operations. With that in mind, I would like to make the following four points on the situation in Zimbabwe: -- First, the Government of Zimbabwe must immediately end all violence directed against opposition leaders and supporters so that the June 27 election can truly represent the will of the Zimbabwean people. The escalating violence and intimidation is seriously jeopardizing any hope of free and fair elections. Since the March 29 election, there have been at least 3,000 attacks, 54 murders, 200 missing people, over 25,000 people displaced, and 3,000 injured victims who have required medical treatment. -- We are deeply concerned that the government,s crackdown is increasingly targeting opposition leadership. On June 12, presidential candidate Morgan Tsvangirai was twice detained by police while attempting to campaign, bringing to four his total number of detentions in eight days. On June 12, Movement of Democratic Change (MDC) Secretary General Tendai Biti was arrested upon his return to Zimbabwe from South Africa and charged with treason, in addition to the already pending charges against him of communicating statements prejudicial to the State. He continues to be held incommunicado. We are greatly concerned about the poor conditions of Mr. Biti,s detention and urge his immediate release pending resolution of those charges. -- At least eight MDC Members of Parliament have been arrested or detained in the aftermath of the March 29 national elections in which the combined opposition won a majority of seats in parliament. Women, children, and the elderly relatives of MDC officials have also been singled out for beatings and even death in an ongoing attempt to intimidate would-be MDC voters and shake the foundations of the party's infrastructure. Without an immediate, major shift in the current environment, chances for a free and fair June electoral contest are remote. -- We also note with grave concern statements by Robert Mugabe that he and his political party would not respect an opposition victory on June 27, instead promising even greater violence against the Zimbabwean people. This threat should be retracted and the Government of Zimbabwe made to pledge to the Southern African Development Community, the African Union, and other observers that it will abide by electoral results counted in a transparent manner in the presence of electoral observers. -- Second, the Government of Zimbabwe should immediately lift its directive suspending the humanitarian operations of non-governmental organizations so that humanitarian aid can reach those in need regardless of their political views. Several million people, including orphans, vulnerable people, and those infected with HIV/AIDS, will suffer if emergency food distribution is suspended. -- Third, the crisis in Zimbabwe affects not only the welfare of the Zimbabwean people, but the well-being and stability of Zimbabwe,s neighbors. The Zimbabwean government's economic and political decisions have caused an exodus of Zimbabweans fleeing economic collapse and political unrest. People of Mozambican and Malawian origins living and working in Zimbabwe have in many cases been forced to return to their countries. -- Fourth, we support the efforts of the Southern African Development Community and African Union leaders, as well as the UN Secretary General to resolve the crisis in Zimbabwe during this critical transition period and beyond. It will take the political commitment of the entire international community to help Zimbabwe,s people before and after the June 27 election so that, while they can take pride in their history, they can also begin to look forward to a better future. RICE