AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH ZIM VICE PRESIDENT MUJURU

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 HARARE 000500 SIPDIS AF/S FOR B.WALCH DRL FOR N. WILETT ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU ADDIS ABABA FOR ACSS NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR M. GAVIN STATE PASS TO USAID FOR J. HARMON AND L. DOBBINS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/18/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM ZI SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH ZIM VICE PRESIDENT MUJURU Classified By: Ambassador James D. McGee for reason 1.4 (b) and (d) -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. C) The Ambassador paid a courtesy call on Vice President Joice Mujuru on June 17, his first meeting with her. Mujuru, who was warm and engaged, expressed her support for the transitional process and bemoaned hardliners in her party who were attempting to sabotage it. She urged incremental assistance to award the transitional government's progress. The Ambassador acknowledged that Zimbabwe has made progress over the last year, but stressed that developmental assistance was dependent on substantial compliance with the Hague principles, particularly human rights and rule of law. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) Mujuru stated that while people (read the West) wanted fast change in Zimbabwe, it was significant that the MDC and ZANU-PF had come together in a unity government. Incremental assistance was necessary as a reward for progress and to move the country forward. There were those (she implied within ZANU-PF) who were opposed to the transitional government and would benefit from a descent into chaos. She implored the Ambassador to give a chance to those who supported progress. ¶3. (C) Seeking to portray herself as a reformer, Mujuru noted she had fought in the liberation struggle for basic human rights including freedom of speech and association. She was critical of arbitrary arrests and detentions without trial that continue to take place and emphasized she had spoken out against post-election violence. Mujuru said that the land reform process was a fait accompli, but that a land audit should be done to correct mistakes and ensure the equitable distribution of land. She added that President Robert Mugabe had charged her with the responsibility of accomplishing this, removing it from Vice President Joseph Msika who is in failing health. (NOTE: Reports indicate that the ageing Msika is in critical condition. END NOTE.) ¶4. (C) The Ambassador acknowledged progress, particularly the fact that an inclusive government had been formed, but said that compliance with the Hague principles, especially human rights and the rule of law, was necessary for more significant U.S. engagement. Mujuru said she understood -- Zimbabwe was not an ordinary country and therefore the world expected more of it. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶5. (C) Mujuru was warm and gracious and accepted the Ambassador's points. She did not bring up the issue of sanctions. The only expressed difference during the meeting was Mujuru's argument that more assistance was justified based on progress to date and in order for the government to progress, and the Ambassador's position that additional reform was necessary to justify additional significant assistance. ¶6. (C) Mujuru has been llied behind the scenes with the MDC and Tsvangirai, and, increasingly, more openly in Cabinet. Qand Tsvangirai, and, increasingly, more openly in Cabinet. Whether this is because of a new-found reformism or as a tactic against Emmerson Mnangagwa in the struggle to succeed Mugabe is unclear. Apart from Mnangagwa, she also faces a challenge from Oppah Muchinguri, former Minister of Women's Affairs and allegedly a former mistress of Mugabe. Muchinguri is now head of the powerful ZANU-PF women's league HARARE 00000500 002 OF 002 and (possibly with Mugabe's backing) may attempt to dislodge Mujuru from her position as vice president at the ZANU-PF congress in December. END COMMENT. MCGEE