Secretary Clinton's June 11, 2009, Meeting with

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 061823 E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/11/2019 TAGS: OVIP CLINTON HILLARY PREL PHUM ZI SUBJECT: Secretary Clinton's June 11, 2009, Meeting with Zimbabwean Prime Minister Tsvangirai ¶1. (C) Classified by: Johnnie Carson, Assistant Secretary, African Affairs. Reason: 1.4 D. ¶2. (U) June 11, 2009, 10:00 a.m., Washington, D.C. ¶3. (U) Participants: United States The Secretary; Assistant Secretary Johnnie Carson, AF; Spokesman Ian Kelly, PA; Deputy Chief of Staff Jacob Sullivan, S; Brian Walch, AF Notetaker; Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai; Minister of Economic Planning Elton Mangoma; Minister of Regional Integration Priscilla Misihairabwi- Mushonga; Minister of Tourism Walter Mzembi; Secretary Ian Makone. ¶4. (C) SUMMARY. On June 11, Secretary Clinton lauded Prime Minister Tsvangirai for his commitment and courage, welcomed progress to date by the Transitional Government (TG),and stated that the U.S. continues to look to reengage, under the right conditions, with the TG to help the people of Zimbabwe. The Secretary indicated the U.S. is open to providing new assistance if we can both ensure it reaches intended recipients and convince skeptical publics that genuine change has occurred. She also cautioned that U.S. law significantly restricts our assistance options. Tsvangirai thanked the Secretary for ongoing U.S. humanitarian and related support and appealed for additional graduated/phased assistance in the areas of democracy and governance and health. He pointed to progress on the economy and the provision of basic services but acknowledged that significant challenges remain. END SUMMARY. -------------- CONCERN FOR ZIMBABWEANS -------------- ¶5. (C) The Secretary praised Tsvangirai for his commitment to Zimbabwe and his courage in joining the TG with President Mugabe. She commended Tsvangirai for progress to date but stressed the need for genuine reform on democracy, human rights, and rule of law. The Secretary lamented the suffering of the people of Zimbabwe and stated that the U.S. desires to reengage and provide assistance, under the right conditions, to help Zimbabweans. The Secretary recalled her 1997 visit to Zimbabwe as First Lady, noting the optimism and graciousness of the people with whom she met. -------------- PROGRESS TO DATE -------------- ¶6. (C) Tsvangirai thanked the Secretary for U.S. support �0A;during Zimbabwe's "tough period." He expressed a desire for Zimbabwe to become a respectable member of the international community. Tsvangirai pointed to concrete progress by the TG since its inception in February, namely the reduction of hyper-inflation and the re- opening of hospitals and schools. He indicated major areas of focus for the TG included making reforms to permit press freedom, drafting a new constitution, and establishing a national healing organ. Tsvangirai specifically pointed to a near-term goal of "free and fair elections" and a peaceful transfer of power. -------------- HELP US HELP YOU -------------- ¶7. (C) In response to Tsvangirai's appeal for graduated, phased U.S. assistance, the Secretary stated that we are open to providing more if there are guarantees that the aid reaches the people who need it. The Secretary noted with concern reports that the Minister of Education had been called to "pick up his new [government-issued] Mercedes" while struggling to obtain resources to re- open schools. She emphasized that we need to be able to point to sustained progress on democracy, human rights, and rule of law in order to be able to make a case with the Congress and others that restrictions on U.S. assistance to Zimbabwe should be modified. -------------- ENSURING TRANSPARENCY -------------- ¶8. (C) Tsvangirai asked Minister Priscilla Misihairabwi- Mushonga to provide an overview of the "Multi Donor Trust Fund" (MDTF) established as a transitional financial structure to ensure the proper use of foreign assistance. She jokingly referred to the MDTF as a "state avoidance" mechanism, hinting at donor concerns with misuse of funds by Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono. Misihairabwi noted that the MDTF was housed in the Finance Ministry and co-managed with international donor partners, thereby ensuring transparency. The Secretary suggested that it would be useful to receive a report showing progress areas resulting from foreign assistance. -------------- VIEW FROM ZANU-PF -------------- ¶9. (C) Tsvangirai asked Minister Walter Mzembi, representing the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party of President Mugabe, to address issues of inter-party relations and co- governance. Mzembi stressed that ZANU-PF is not monolithic, and that generational change was starting, albeit slowly, to take place within the party. He noted that most ZANU-PF members respected Tsvangirai's role as head of the Council of Ministers, the TG's policy making body. Mzembi opined that "there is no going back," with memories of cholera and economic collapse still fresh. The Secretary welcomed Mzembi's remarks, calling them "very heartening." Referring to the "forced marriage" of ZANU-PF with his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC),Tsvangirai joked that "we don't have to love each other." -------------- ZIMBABWE TRANSFORMING -------------- ¶10. (C) Tsvangirai concluded by noting that political and generational transitions are taking place in Zimbabwe. He regretted that Zimbabwe had fallen so far and pointed to the talents of its people, in particular its youth. The Secretary agreed on the importance of young people and noted their focus on results. With this in mind, the Secretary concluded that the U.S. would continue to develop specific deliverables on areas requiring progress by the TG. CLINTON