AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH ZIM ICT MINISTER NELSON

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 HARARE 000321

SIPDIS

AF/S FOR B. WALCH
DRL FOR N. WILETT
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU
ADDIS ABABA FOR ACSS
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR MICHELLE GAVIN
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR J. HARMON AND L. DOBBINS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/17/2019
TAGS: ECPS EINT PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM ZI
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH ZIM ICT MINISTER NELSON
CHAMISA

REF: HARARE 303

Classified By: Ambassador James D. McGee for reason 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY. Ambassador McGee met with Zimbabwean Minister
for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Nelson
Chamisa on April 8 as part of a series of calls on ministers
in the new government. They discussed the US$100,000 recently
paid by the USG to ZimPost for past delivery of personal mail
and the U.S. request to begin Diplomatic Post Office (DPO)
service to the Embassy. Chamisa pleaded for support to
provide basic computing technology to all ministers to enable
better cooperation within Cabinet. The meeting also gave a
glimpse into the dynamics of the new unity government when
Chamisa's secretary and Acting PermSec were overheard
worrying that Chamisa had canceled a notetaker from the MFA.
END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) Ambassador McGee began by explaining his efforts to
meet with ministers in the new government. He presented
Chamisa with copies of the MOU to establish DPO service,
explaining that the process had begun with the old
government. He noted that we did not need GOZ approval, but
wanted to work with them as partners on this issue. Chamisa
promised to review the MOU and said he did not see any reason
why it should be a problem. He then asked about the
US$100,000 owed to ZimPost for past delivery of personal mail
originating in the U.S. The Ambassador explained that this
amount had been paid.


3. (SBU) Chamisa proceeded to reiterate his vision for the
ministry, saying that he wanted to introduce internet
technology to the entire country, but first had to introduce
and explain what ICT could do for Zimbabweans. He said that
his PowerPoint presentation at the recent Victoria Falls
retreat had impressed many other ministers who weren't
familiar with the technology. His iPod was even more shocking
to some of them. Chamisa said that he wanted to push
e-awareness programs for MPs, councilors, and in the school
system.


4. (SBU) Chamisa asked for technical assistance for his
ministry, especially to procure basic computer technology for
all senior government officials. He said that currently
announcements about Cabinet meetings were broadcast on ZBC
radio and television because not all ministers could get
e-mail. The Ambassador suggested that all requests for
assistance should be channeled through Finance Minister Biti;
we would consider any such request.


5. (C) Before the meeting began, APAO, who accompanied the
Ambassador, overheard Chamisa's secretary and Kosmas
Chigwambwa, the acting PermSec, worrying that no one from the
MFA was there to observe the meeting per "government
procedure." They said that Chamisa had said this was "his
meeting" and so MFA was not needed. After speaking with
Chamisa about the issue, Chigwambwa told the secretary that
Chamisa had promised to talk with Mumbengegwi if there were
any issues.
Qany issues.


6. (C) COMMENT. We expect that Chamisa will quickly sign off
on the DPO agreement. We fully agree that government offices
need to be equipped with computer technology and will discuss
this issue with USAID. END COMMENT.


7. (C) UPDATE NOTE: Since the April 8 meeting, The Herald
announced that Chamisa had been stripped of postal and
telecommunications portfolios which were transferred to the
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure headed by
ZANU-PF's Nicholas Goche. The ramifications of this transfer

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are unknown, see reftel for further details.

MCGEE