Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09USUNNEWYORK223
2009-03-09 16:15:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
USUN New York
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR RICE'S INTRODUCTORY MEETING WITH

Tags:  PGOV PREL UNSC ZI ZU 
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VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUCNDT #0223 0681615
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 091615Z MAR 09
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6020
INFO RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000223 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL UNSC ZI ZU
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR RICE'S INTRODUCTORY MEETING WITH
ZIMBABWE PR CHIDYAUSIKU

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000223

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL UNSC ZI ZU
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR RICE'S INTRODUCTORY MEETING WITH
ZIMBABWE PR CHIDYAUSIKU


1. (SBU) During a March 5 introductory meeting, Zimbabwe
PermRep Chidyausiku told Ambassador Rice Zimbabwe wants to
engage with the U.S. He noted the dramatic decline in
health, education, infrastructure and quality of life in
Zimbabwe and asked for the U.S. to lift its sanctions.
Chidyausiku expressed appreciation for the U.S. and
international humanitarian assistance and asked for the U.S.
to have a little faith in Zimbabwe.


2. (SBU) Ambassador Rice replied that the U.S. has great
faith in the Zimbabwean people, but needs tangible political
results for the U.S. to increase its confidence in the
Zimbabwean government. She said Zimbabwe would have to show
a true commitment to powersharing and democracy in order to
overcome U.S. skepticism. She said Zimbabwe should: appoint
a legitimate Attorney General who supported rule of law;
appoint a credible central banker; release political
prisoners; enact true security sector reform; and enact a
sustainable economic and land reform plan.


3. (SBU) Chidyausiku said he thought that President Mugabe
would likely retire following the ZANU-PF party conference
scheduled for the end of the year, and that a new party
leader may emerge from that meeting. He said Mugabe, now 85,
was ready to retire in 2000, but the animosity between
Zimbabwe and the UK at that time motivated him to continue.
Mugabe was now a hero, Chidyausiku said, because of the
ongoing attacks on him by the international community.
Chidyausiku also stressed new elections would be held within
18 to 24 months, after the required new constitution is
ratified, which he believed would be a positive end to the
transition government. Ambassador Rice kept the door open to
engagement, but reiterated the new government needed to show
credible improvement for the U.S. to change its current
policies.
Rice