Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LUSAKA294
2009-04-29 15:20:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Lusaka
how-toVZCZCXRO2258 RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHLS #0294 1191520 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 291520Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY LUSAKA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6941 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L LUSAKA 000294
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/26/2019
TAGS: PREL ZI ZA
SUBJECT: ZAMBIA GUN-SHY ON ZIMBABWE
Classified By: Ambassador Donald Booth for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L LUSAKA 000294
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/26/2019
TAGS: PREL ZI ZA
SUBJECT: ZAMBIA GUN-SHY ON ZIMBABWE
Classified By: Ambassador Donald Booth for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) A UK Foreign Office/Ministry of Defense team,
visiting Zambia to update its contingency plans for the
evacuation of UK nationals from Zimbabwe, cut short its visit
after the Zambian Government (GRZ) rejected its meeting
requests. According to the UK Deputy High Commissioner,
President Banda informed the mission that, in the event of an
emergency, the UK could count on the GRZ's full support.
Nevertheless, in the lead up to his State visit to Harare,
Banda considered it unwise for the UK representatives to meet
with their Zambian counterparts, lest news of the meetings
leak to Zimbabwean authorities. The Deputy High Commissioner
also told emboffs that she thought it unlikely that Banda
would support Zimbabwe contingency planning meetings at any
point in his presidency. The UK Defense Attache added that
UK-Zambian defense relations had cooled significantly under
the Banda Administration.
2. (C) Comment: Although defense cooperation in Zambia
typically has been challenging, the GRZ's flat-out rebuff of
the UK visit marks a new level of unresponsiveness and
intransigency. The GRZ's unwillingness to accommodate the UK
at any level sheds light on the value Banda places on good
relations with his Zimbabwean counterpart and his fear of
falling prey to accusations of collaboration with the British
(a criticism that Mugabe had levied at Banda's predecessor).
During an April 27 meeting, DCM sought out Foreign Ministry
Permanent Secretary Tens Kapoma's general views on the way
forward in Zimbabwe. Although Kapoma acknowledged the
opportunity presented by Banda's State visit to Zimbabwe in
order to convince Mugabe to satisfy international donor
expectations on human rights, Kapoma offered little insight
on Zambia's assistance or intervention strategies. While
Banda seems to disagree with land seizures and politically
motivated violence and detention and may tell Mugabe the
donors are concerned about such things, we do not believe
Banda will press Mugabe very hard, if at all, for better
behavior. This dearth of leadership and vision, and Banda's
apparent timidity, reinforces Embassy's previous reporting
that Banda is unlikely to confront problems in Zimbabwe at
the expense of his relationship with Mugabe.
BOOTH
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/26/2019
TAGS: PREL ZI ZA
SUBJECT: ZAMBIA GUN-SHY ON ZIMBABWE
Classified By: Ambassador Donald Booth for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) A UK Foreign Office/Ministry of Defense team,
visiting Zambia to update its contingency plans for the
evacuation of UK nationals from Zimbabwe, cut short its visit
after the Zambian Government (GRZ) rejected its meeting
requests. According to the UK Deputy High Commissioner,
President Banda informed the mission that, in the event of an
emergency, the UK could count on the GRZ's full support.
Nevertheless, in the lead up to his State visit to Harare,
Banda considered it unwise for the UK representatives to meet
with their Zambian counterparts, lest news of the meetings
leak to Zimbabwean authorities. The Deputy High Commissioner
also told emboffs that she thought it unlikely that Banda
would support Zimbabwe contingency planning meetings at any
point in his presidency. The UK Defense Attache added that
UK-Zambian defense relations had cooled significantly under
the Banda Administration.
2. (C) Comment: Although defense cooperation in Zambia
typically has been challenging, the GRZ's flat-out rebuff of
the UK visit marks a new level of unresponsiveness and
intransigency. The GRZ's unwillingness to accommodate the UK
at any level sheds light on the value Banda places on good
relations with his Zimbabwean counterpart and his fear of
falling prey to accusations of collaboration with the British
(a criticism that Mugabe had levied at Banda's predecessor).
During an April 27 meeting, DCM sought out Foreign Ministry
Permanent Secretary Tens Kapoma's general views on the way
forward in Zimbabwe. Although Kapoma acknowledged the
opportunity presented by Banda's State visit to Zimbabwe in
order to convince Mugabe to satisfy international donor
expectations on human rights, Kapoma offered little insight
on Zambia's assistance or intervention strategies. While
Banda seems to disagree with land seizures and politically
motivated violence and detention and may tell Mugabe the
donors are concerned about such things, we do not believe
Banda will press Mugabe very hard, if at all, for better
behavior. This dearth of leadership and vision, and Banda's
apparent timidity, reinforces Embassy's previous reporting
that Banda is unlikely to confront problems in Zimbabwe at
the expense of his relationship with Mugabe.
BOOTH