URGENT DEMARCHE SEEKING SUPPORT FOR UNSC

UNCLAS STATE 073173 SENSITIVE C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (ADDED SENSITIVE CAPTION) SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNSC PREL PHUM ZI XA ZU SUBJECT: URGENT DEMARCHE SEEKING SUPPORT FOR UNSC RESOLUTION ON ZIMBABWE REF: STATE 70836 ¶1. (SBU) Summary and Action request: On July 8, the U.S. will table a draft Security Council resolution on Zimbabwe and seek a vote on July 9. The draft resolution condemns the government-sponsored violence that made it impossible to hold free and fair elections in Zimbabwe and imposes an arms embargo as well as targeted sanctions against Zimbabwean officials responsible for the campaign of violence. Action addressees are requested to demarche host governments at the Ambassadorial level on an urgent basis to solicit their support for the resolution prior to the July 9 vote. Posts are requested to respond as quickly as possible by e-mail or cables slugged for IO/UNP-Rebecca Goldenberg. End Summary and Action Request. ¶2. (U) Talking Points: -- The Security Council will vote on the draft resolution on Zimbabwe on July 9. We urge you to support the draft resolution to send the strongest possible signal to Mr. Mugabe on the need to end the violence and begin a serious dialogue with the opposition to end the crisis that threatens Zimbabwe and the region. -- Your support for the resolution is urgently needed in light of the on-going violence in Zimbabwe and its effect on its neighbors, the region, and international security. Just this past weekend a group of armed militia raided two internally displaced person camps near Ruwa leaving eight individuals hospitalized and over a dozen others missing. On July 2, over 200 members of the opposition sought refuge at the U.S. Embassy in Harare, and internally displaced persons fleeing the violence have sought shelter in other embassies, churches, NGO facilities, and the opposition headquarters. -- The resolution contains targeted measures against those designated as having ordered, planned or participated in politically-motivated acts of violence. In particular, the measures are directed at those who led a well-orchestrated military-style campaign of violence and intimidation against the opposition and its supporters, including those who led the campaign &CIBD8 or &Coercion, Intimidation, Beating, and Displacement.8 According to media reports, this military operation involved up to 200 senior army officers, who established nearly 2,000 base camps around the country to conduct brutal violence against the opposition. The small farming village of Chaona, which had voted for Morgan Tsvingarai in the March election, was the first to feel the brunt of this military assault. Starting May 5, the village suffered a rampage that left seven individuals dead and many more seriously beaten and injured, including women and children. -- This military style offensive continued through the country targeting the members and supporters of the opposition. Then on election day, as an additional measure to ensure victory, the Mugabe regime forced voters to the polls and threatened to track through ballot serial numbers those who refused to vote or who cast their votes for Tsvangirai, despite his withdrawal from the run-off election. No election conducted in these circumstances can produce legitimate results. -- The people of Zimbabwe have few options to address their dire situation. Their government has failed them economically and politically. They were refused the chance to democratically express their views. Many are fleeing the country, further straining the resources of Zimbabwe,s neighbors. -- As much as one quarter of Zimbabwe's population is now outside of the country. Zimbabwe's neighbors are also bearing the brunt of Mugabe's failed policies and repression. -- The crisis in Zimbabwe is a threat to regional peace and security. As UN Deputy Secretary General Migiro said at the AU Summit last week, "Zimbabwe is the single greatest challenge to regional stability in Southern Africa." -- At the Africa Union Summit, African leaders issued a statement that expressed deep concern about the violence and loss of life in Zimbabwe. The Vice President of neighboring Botswana expressed his specific concern about the level of violence. -- In the face of this criticism, on July 4 Mr. Mugabe said that &if there is a . . . neighboring country itching for a fight . . . then let them try it,8 implicitly threatening the region with retaliation if they oppose his rule. -- We fully support efforts to reach a mediated solution to the crisis that respects the will of the Zimbabwean people and the results of the March 29 election. We believe that this draft resolution would reinforce those efforts by encouraging Mr. Mugabe to negotiate seriously and in good faith. -- We welcome the Statement by the G-8 Leaders that expressed their commitment to &take further steps, inter alia, introducing financial and other measures against those responsible for violence.8 -- United UN Security Council action will send a clear message to the Mugabe regime that its actions in defiance of the will of the Zimbabwean people will not be accepted by the international community. ¶3. (U) Additional Talking Points for Beijing and Moscow: -- We are pleased that the G-8 leaders reached agreement on a statement on Zimbabwe that expressed their commitment to &take further steps, inter alia, introducing financial and other measures against those responsible for violence.8 -- We understand that you have concerns about the draft resolution on Zimbabwe, but hope you will not block adoption of the resolution. The UNSC must send a united message to the Mugabe regime to immediately end the violence and to begin a serious dialogue with the opposition in order to achieve a solution that respects the will of the Zimbabwean people and the results of the March 29 elections. Such a dialogue is urgently needed to end the crisis that threatens Zimbabwe and the region. End points. RICE