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| Identifier | Subject | Date | Office | Classification | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06HARARE1492 |
NEW LAND SEIZURE LAW; DUTCH FARMERS CHALLENGE [...] (SBU) An Act requiring most farmers whose land was compulsorily acquired by the GOZ to cease farming and vacate their homes during the present summer growing season passes into law on December 20. Over 700 farmers could face eviction if the Act is implemented. In the meantime, an internation [...] |
2006-12-21 06:36:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN EAGR ZI |
| 06HARARE1493 |
CONFERENCE PAVES WAY FOR EXTENDING MUGABE'S TERM, [...] (C) In a well-scripted development, the December 14-17 ZANU-PF conference adopted a resolution recommending that the ruling party unify the presidential and parliamentary elections in 2010. The recommendation, which will require amending the constitution in Parliament, must first be approved [...] |
2006-12-21 07:15:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE1499 |
ZIMBABWE: 2006 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM [...] (U) This cable responds to reftel request to update information for the 2006 Country Reports on Terrorism. ------------------ GENERAL ASSESSMENT ------------------ 2. (SBU) Zimbabwe does not fit the criteria stipulated in paragraph 10 (a) and (b) of reftel instructions. Despite our str [...] |
2006-12-28 06:11:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC PTER PGOV PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE1500 |
UPDATE ON EFFORTS TO COMBAT TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS [...] Retransmission of Harare 1490 with correct subject line. (C) Summary. Recent developments in the GOZ's efforts to combat trafficking are encouraging, but we remain guarded that they have the political will and resources to follow through on stated plans. Since April, the government has esta [...] |
2006-12-28 07:00:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM ELAB USAID ZI |
| 06HARARE158 |
ZIMBABWE RAW SUGAR TARIFF RATE QUOTA UPDATE [...] (U) EconOff delivered reftel demarche to Zimbabwe Sugar Sales (ZSS), Zimbabwe,s designated sugar certifying authority, on January 30, 2006. ZSS informed EconOff that it plans to use its current quota and could supply up to 17,000 additional metric tons of raw sugar if there is an increase in [...] |
2006-02-13 12:52:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | EAGR ETRD ECON ZI |
| 06HARARE159 |
MDC MP COLTART: GOZ WEAKENING [...] (C) In a meeting on February 8 with the Ambassador, MDC MP for Bulawayo South David Coltart said the GOZ was beginning to show signs of crumbling under the strain of economic deterioration. The inner circle of the regime was getting rich but patronage was no longer reaching second tier membe [...] |
2006-02-13 13:25:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ZI MDC |
| 06HARARE160 |
MP ON "PRO-SENATE" FACTION ACTIVITIES, PLANS [...] (C) MDC pro-senate faction MP Priscilla Misihairabwa-Mushonga told poloff February 2 that little progress had been made in resolving the dispute that had split the MDC, though the tone was improving. She said the biggest challenge facing her faction was selecting a national leader. She repo [...] |
2006-02-14 05:01:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ECON PHUM ZI |
| 06HARARE165 |
STATUS OF PLANNING FOR ANNAN VISIT TO ZIMBABWE [...] (C) During a February 10 meeting, UNDP Resident Representative Agostinho Zacarias told the Ambassador that the UN Secretariat was still actively working on plans for a visit to Zimbabwe by SYG Annan. According to Zacarias, the issue had been raised during a one-on-one session between Presid [...] |
2006-02-14 10:29:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL EAID ZI |
| 06HARARE177 |
WHERE'S THE LOVE? - VALENTINE'S DAY ARRESTS [...] (U) On February 14, approximately 300 members of women's activist group Women of Zimbabwe Arise! (WOZA) marched in Harare, demanding affordable food and social justice. Police arrested around 250 of the women along with their lawyer, Tafadzwa Mugabe of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights. The p [...] |
2006-02-16 05:45:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM ASEC ZI |
| 06HARARE178 |
GONO ON POLICY FRUSTRATIONS, SUCCESSION TENSIONS, [...] (S) In a February 10 meeting with the Ambassador, Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono bemoaned the GOZ's unwillingness to address deepening corruption, fiscal indiscipline and parastatal inefficiencies. Depicting himself as under seige politically, he said the leadership had talked him into wi [...] |
2006-02-16 05:45:00 | Embassy Harare | SECRET | PGOV PREL ECON EFIN ZI |
| 06HARARE179 |
SANCTIONS INFORMATION FOR BUSINESS COMMUNITY [...] (SBU) This is an action request; please see para 3. 2. (SBU) Embassy has received numerous inquiries from American companies about the USG's targeted sanctions policy in Zimbabwe and its implication for their operations here. To be responsive to our business community, pre-empt additional i [...] |
2006-02-16 07:21:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV ETRD ASEC ZI |
| 06HARARE180 |
BELEAGUERED BUSINESS LEADERS SAY POLICY CHANGES [...] (C) At an economic roundtable hosted by the Ambassador on February 8, five leading businessmen had little doubt about the inevitability of a GOZ shift to market-driven policies but differed on its likely timing. They agreed that the speed of economic deterioration was accelerating, the econom [...] |
2006-02-16 14:44:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV EINV ETRD ZI |
| 06HARARE183 |
INFLATION SOARING EVER HIGHER [...] (SBU) The GOZ's Central Statistical Office (CSO) reported February 13 that the annualized rate of inflation reached 613 percent in January, up from 585 percent in December (ref D). Food and non-alcoholic beverages, which make up nearly one third of the consumer price index basket, posted an an [...] |
2006-02-17 05:40:00 | Embassy Harare | SECRET | ECON ETRD PREL PGOV ZI |
| 06HARARE185 |
SUPREME COURT REJECTS TSVANGIRAI ELECTION CHALLENGE [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Supreme Court on February 12 rejected MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai's application to have it take over his 2002 presidential election challenge from the High Court, where it has languished for years. Strapped for resources, the MDC will likely scale back its strategy of ch [...] |
2006-02-17 09:47:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PGOV PHUM PREL ZI MDC |
| 06HARARE186 |
LAURIE ON POLITBURO SHIFT ON WEST [...] (C) John Laurie, a former leading post-independence businessman and parliamentarian who maintains regular contact with a Politburo member and has a personal relationship with Mugabe, relayed to econoff on Feburary 8 that the Politburo recognized the accelerating pace of economic deterioration [...] |
2006-02-17 10:21:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON ZI |
| 06HARARE187 |
PARLIAMENT RESUMES, BUT FOR HOW LONG? [...] (C) Zimbabwe,s Parliament resumed on February 7, marking the first sitting of the Senate since that body was abolished in 1990. However, the legislative agenda is very thin and MPs could be sent home any day. Although two bills were introduced into the Senate, the supposedly august house rec [...] |
2006-02-21 04:20:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PGOV PHUM PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE191 |
AMBASSADOR OBSERVES FOOD [...] The Ambassador recently visited a WFP food distribution in rural Zimbabwe. He witnessed the labor-intensive and complicated nature of the distribution process. Community members were involved in almost all aspects of the process, helping to make it transparent, fair, and apolitical. --- [...] |
2006-02-21 13:32:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID EAGR PREL US ZI |
| 06HARARE200 |
MUGABE AT 82 - RIGID, DEFIANT, ISOLATED [...] (SBU) In a taped, edited 90-minute state media interview televised locally on Febuary 19, Robert Mugabe sounded familiar anti-western themes and evidenced little inclination to countenance economic or political reforms on the eve of his 82nd birthday. He was familiarly cagey about the process [...] |
2006-02-22 12:20:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON PINR KPAO ZI |
| 06HARARE210 |
ZIMBABWE SHAKEN BUT NOT STIRRED IN MOZAMBIQUE [...] (U) According to the United States Geological Survey, an earthquake registering 7.5 on the Richter Scale hit 140 miles southwest of Beira, Mozambique at 12:19 AM Central Africa Time (CAT) on 23 February 2006. The epicenter was at Espungabera, a small town right on Zimbabwe's eastern border wi [...] |
2006-02-23 09:57:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SENV TPHY PREL ASEC CASC ZI |
| 06HARARE215 |
FORMER STUDENT LEADER EMERGES AS PRO-SENATE [...] (C) On February 19, former student leader Arthur Mutambara, who now resides in South Africa, announced his decision to run for president of the pro-senate faction of the MDC. A number of pro-senate MDC MPs expressed strong support for Mutambara and said he would breathe new life into the part [...] |
2006-02-23 13:42:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ZI MDC |
| 06HARARE227 |
STUDENTS PROTEST IN RESPONSE TO COLLEGE TUITION [...] (C) Massive tuition increases at state colleges have triggered student unrest as the academic year resumes this month. The GOZ announced in early February that tuition for the coming year would jump from between Z$6 and Z$9 million to between Z$30 and Z$45 million. Upset that scholarships w [...] |
2006-02-24 09:30:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PGOV PHUM SOCI PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE232 |
OPPOSING DEEPER IMF ENGAGEMENT WITH ZIMBABWE [...] (SBU) By paying off its arrears to the IMF General Resources Account (GRA), the GOZ has met only one of two conditions for IMF re-engagement. The GOZ has failed persistently to implement - or even articulate - a comprehensive policy reform package to turn around the economy since falling subj [...] |
2006-02-28 09:44:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN PGOV ZI |
| 06HARARE252 |
ZIMBABWE ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS REPORT [...] (SBU) Zimbabwe is a country of origin and transit for trafficked persons. This year there were also two cases of girls trafficked to Zimbabwe from South Africa. Most of the information about the scope of trafficking remains anecdotal, however, the government and the police investigate and tra [...] |
2006-03-02 09:53:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM SMIG ASEC PREF ELAB ZI KWMN KFRD |
| 06HARARE263 |
MUTAMBARA ELECTED PRO-SENATE FACTION LEADER, [...] (C) Arthur Mutambara was elected President of the Pro-Senate faction of the MDC during its Congress on February 25. In his speech accepting the post, Mutambara praised Morgan Tsvangirai as a Zimbabwean hero but chastised him for becoming a "little Mugabe." Speaking primarily to a domestic [...] |
2006-03-02 16:50:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PGOV PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE266 |
ZVOBGO ON ZANU-PF, CHANGE [...] (C) Eddie Zvobgo, Jr., the popular son of Robert Mugabe's late principal intra-party rival of the last ten years, told the Ambassador on March 1 that the ZANU-PF faithful all recognized the need for substantive change, including realignment to the West. Nonetheless, change probably would wai [...] |
2006-03-02 18:05:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON PHUM ZI |
| 06HARARE279 |
ZIMBABWE 2006 INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT [...] (U) The Government of Zimbabwe,s misgovernance has severely crippled the local economy, making it unlikely to attract or absorb significant foreign direct investment in 2006. Investment prospects in Zimbabwe are bound to remain dismal due to the country,s unstable economic and political env [...] |
2006-03-07 14:18:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | EINV EFIN ETRD ELAB KTDB PGOV |
| 06HARARE281 |
AGRICULTURE EXPERTS PRESENT SOBERING VIEW OF THE [...] (SBU) At an agriculture sector roundtable on February 24, local experts provided a sobering overview of the sector to visiting USDA crop analyst Dr. Curt Reynolds. Reynolds said that he expected an increase in maize production over 2005. A Commercial Farmers, Union representative declined to [...] |
2006-03-07 16:42:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN PGOV ASEC ZI |
| 06HARARE298 |
GOZ EYING CONTROL OF MINING SECTOR [...] (C) Minister of Mines Amos Midzi announced on March 3 that Cabinet had approved in principle amendments to the Mines and Minerals Act that would force foreign-owned mining companies to hand over 51 percent of their shares to the GOZ. The GOZ is preparing to present the legislation to Parliamen [...] |
2006-03-08 17:29:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV EMIN ECON EFIN PREL PHUM ZI |
| 06HARARE300 |
GOZ EYING CONTROL OF MINING SECTOR [...] (C) Minister of Mines Amos Midzi announced on March 3 that Cabinet had approved in principle amendments to the Mines and Minerals Act that would force foreign-owned mining companies to hand over 51 percent of their shares to the GOZ. The GOZ is preparing to present the legislation to Parliamen [...] |
2006-03-09 10:13:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EMIN PGOV PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE303 |
MORE ARRESTS, SUPPOSED MDC LINKS IN ARMS SEIZURE [...] (U) The GOZ-controlled Herald newspaper on March 9 reported that ten more suspects had been arrested in connection with the March 7 discovery of arms in Mutare (reftel). The article did not identify all of those reportedly in custody but claimed that a number of MDC officials had been arrest [...] |
2006-03-09 16:16:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PGOV PHUM PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE308 |
EDUCATION BILL PASSES AS SCHOOLS CRY FOUL [...] (C) The widely unpopular Education Bill passed Parliament on February 28, enhancing GOZ powers to interfere with the operations of private schools. In consultation with school groups, the GOZ amended many of the more objectionable provisions. However, according to Jameson Timba, the chairma [...] |
2006-03-10 12:40:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PGOV PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE309 |
GOZ BLAMES U.S., U.K., "RULE CHANGE" FOR IMF VOTE [...] (U) The state-controlled Herald Newspaper on March 10, under a headline "US, UK block IMF funds", claimed that the United States and the U.K. improperly engineered the IMF's March 8 decision to deny Zimbabwe technical assistance and restoration of its voting rights. The article claimed that [...] |
2006-03-10 12:43:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL EFIN KPAO PGOV ZI |
| 06HARARE310 |
ZIMBABWE - INPUT FOR 2006 REPORT ON AGOA [...] Zimbabwe continues to fall short of AGOA,s qualifying criteria. Post,s input for the annual AGOA report (reftel) follows: ------- Economy ------- 2. The government has an interventionist approach to the economy and Zimbabwe is generally unwelcoming to foreign investment. Private sec [...] |
2006-03-10 12:44:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC ECON EFIN ELAB ETRD PGOV PHUM ZI |
| 06HARARE317 |
ARMS CACHE SUSPECTS CHARGED, LINKED TO [...] (SBU) The GOZ on March 11 charged eight suspects connected to last week,s arms seizure in Mutare (reftel). The eight were charged under Public Order and Security Act (POSA) prohibitions against processing weapons to commit banditry, sabotage, or terrorism. Appearing in a Mutare court to be c [...] |
2006-03-14 16:53:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PGOV PHUM PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE319 |
JUDGE FREES SEVEN ARMS CACHE DEFENDANTS [...] (C) Ruling that police had acted improperly, High Court Judge Charles Hungwe on March 14 withdrew charges against all suspects linked to the arms cache discovered in Mutare last week, except for Michael Peter Hitschmann (reftel). The seven were released the morning of March 15. Zimbabwe Lawy [...] |
2006-03-15 16:48:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PGOV PHUM PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE321 |
CIVIL SOCIETY LEADER DISSES MDC FACTIONS AND [...] (C) The chairman of the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), Lovemore Madhuku, told poloffs March 13 that the opposition MDC was failing to exploit Zimbabweans' deepening economic frustration and that civil society would take the lead if necessary. Madhuku said ZANU-PF was doing a better j [...] |
2006-03-15 17:00:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE342 |
SUBJECT: ENGAGING ZIMBABWE: LOCAL DIPLOMATIC [...] (C) The GOZ,s latest charm offensive combined with the country's continuing downward spiral has resulted in another bout of diplomatic soul-searching in Harare. The international community here has been debating whether to engage the GOZ and if so what the message should be. Heads of OECD Mi [...] |
2006-03-17 11:30:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV EAID ZI |
| 06HARARE349 |
MUGABE SIGNALS "FLEXIBILITY" ON MINING LAW [...] (C) Zimplats CEO Craig Sebborn told econoff March 16 that he and the visiting Implats CEO had made their case the day before directly to President Mugabe that the proposed changes to the Mines and Mineral Act (reftel) amounted to nationalization of the industry and would harm the sector's deve [...] |
2006-03-20 16:46:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EMIN PGOV ZI |
| 06HARARE355 |
CONGRESS REAFFIRMS TSVANGIRAI'S GRASSROOTS [...] (C) Despite GOZ pressure, an estimated 15,000 enthusiastic delegates, many of whom traveled at their own expense, attended the MDC anti-Senate faction's Congress on March 17-19 and reaffirmed their support for Morgan Tsvangirai, who was unanimously reelected president. MPs SIPDIS Thokozan [...] |
2006-03-21 16:49:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PGOV PHUM PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE372 |
MOYO ON POLITICAL LANDSCAPE, AVENUES FOR CHANGE [...] (C) Independent MP Jonathan Moyo told poloff March 22 that the growing proximity of Mugabe's departure and economic collapse were increasing a national impetus for political change. In this uncertain environment, securocrats were the only ones focusing on policy and stability, and they were [...] |
2006-03-24 12:44:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI |
| 06HARARE374 |
IOM CHIEF ON LACK OF GOZ COOPERATION, FUNDING WOES [...] (C) On March 22, Mohammed Abdiker, Chief of Mission for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Harare, told the Ambassador that the GOZ continued to hinder efforts to assist internally displaced persons (IDPs), many of whom were living in dire conditions. IOM nonetheless was bui [...] |
2006-03-27 15:37:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID PHUM PREL KWMN ZI |
| 06HARARE376 |
ZLHR DIRECTOR ON ANTI-REGIME ACTIONS AT HOME AND [...] (C) Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) Director Arnold Tsunga on March 23 told the Ambassador that he enjoyed surprisingly good relations with many GOZ authorities, who he said were increasingly ambialent about GOZ repression. He said that despite GOZ harassment, ZLHR continued its act [...] |
2006-03-27 17:37:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM EAID PGOV ASEC PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE383 |
MFA OFFICIAL CRITICIZES GOZ FOR STATE OF U.S. [...] (C) In a March 27 courtesy call on the Ambassador, the outgoing MFA Head of Protocol and new DCM at the Zimbabwean Embassy in Washington, Gideon Gapare, told the Ambassador that the GOZ wanted dialogue with the U.S. The Ambassador responded that the U.S. was also open to dialogue but that the [...] |
2006-03-28 13:48:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE384 |
MUTAMBARA OUTLINES STRATEGY ON MDC SPLIT. [...] (C) Arthur Mutambara, the recently elected president of the pro-Senate faction of the MDC, told the Ambassador on March 27 that he favored reunification but stressed that what separated his faction from that of Morgan Tsvangirai was values, especially democracy and the use of violence. Mutamba [...] |
2006-03-28 15:36:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE413 |
BANK CEO ON FOREX RATE MOVEMENTS [...] (SBU) CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Washington Matsaira told the Ambassador on April 3 that a combination of attractive interest rates on GOZ Treasury bills and increased availability of fuel had contributed to a cooling of the parallel foreign exchange market over the past month. The parall [...] |
2006-04-07 13:22:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV ASEC ZI |
| 06HARARE42 |
MUGABE CONFIDANT FLOATS TRIAL BALLOON [...] (C) In a January 10 meeting with Ambassador, Father Fidelis Mukonori, Zimbabwe's senior Jesuit and a confidant of Robert Mugabe, recommended western re-engagement, including a secure "way out" for Mugabe. The Ambassador responded he would be open to discussing with GOZ leaders the post-Mugabe [...] |
2006-01-12 15:40:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL EAID PHUM ZI |
| 06HARARE424 |
REENERGIZED ANTI-SENATE MDC WING PLANS INCREASED [...] (C) In a series of separate meetings with the Ambassador, leaders of the anti-Senate faction of the MDC depicted an opposition party that was reenergized by a successful Congress and prepared to confront the regime with greater energy and focus. Morgan Tsvangirai said he would conduct nation [...] |
2006-04-11 11:28:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PGOV PHUM PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE43 |
ZIMBABWE AVIAN FLU UPDATE [...] (SBU) Summary: Contrary to earlier indications (Ref B), the GOZ has not yet lifted its general ban on the export of poultry and poultry products following the discovery of type H5N2 avian influenza (AI) in Zimbabwe late last year. The GOZ is investigating the phyto-sanitary capabilities of ex [...] |
2006-01-13 05:23:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | TBIO SENV ECON ETRD EAGR EAID PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE434 |
NEW LEGISLATION WOULD TIGHTEN GOZ'S GRIP [...] (C) The GOZ in recent weeks has put forward several bills to Parliament, many of which would bolster the state's security apparatus. The Suppression of Foreign and International Terrorism Bill would update Zimbabwe's counterterrorism laws, and the Interception of Communications Bill would al [...] |
2006-04-13 14:30:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER ASEC PINR EAGR TBIO PGOV ECPS PHUM PREL |
| 06HARARE46 |
INFLATION ENDS 2005 ON A HIGH, POISED FOR INCREASE [...] (S/NF) Summary: The GOZ,s Central Statistical Office (CSO) reported that the cost of living increased to 585.8 percent in December, up from the annualized November rate of 502 percent (ref A). A steep increase in the price of transportation services and food dominated the month-on-month ri [...] |
2006-01-13 09:26:00 | Embassy Harare | SECRET | ECON EFIN PGOV ASEC ZI |
| 06HARARE469 |
AG EXECUTIVES GLOOMY ON ECONOMIC SITUATION, [...] (C) At an agriculture roundtable hosted by the Ambassador on April 12, five sector leaders lamented the GOZ's paralysis on economic policy and its continuing negative impact on agriculture. Expressing concerns over prospective chaos and even violence if the economy deteriorated further, some [...] |
2006-04-21 12:39:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | EAGR PGOV BEXP ECON PHUM SOCI ZI |
| 06HARARE49 |
TSVANGIRAI ON MDC CONGRESS(ES), ACTION PLAN, [...] (C) Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai told the Ambassador on January 13 that he was pleased with progress on his party's provincial congresses and ongoing reconstitution of the party leadership. He reported on preparations for the March 18-19 MDC national congress, which included meetings [...] |
2006-01-17 15:04:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI |
| 06HARARE493 |
GOZ UNVEILS YET ANOTHER VACUOUS RECOVERY PLAN [...] (C) Long on grand targets, undefined "quick-win strategies," and unrealistic time frames for recovery, Zimbabwe's latest economic recovery plan falls woefully short on substance. The four priority areas outlined in the National Economic Development Priority Programme (NEDPP) announced on Apri [...] |
2006-04-28 11:41:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EAGR EFIN PGOV ASEC ZI |
| 06HARARE532 |
AU REQUESTS "PROVISIONAL MEASURES" FROM GOZ IN [...] (C) Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) Executive Director Arnold Tsunga conveyed to the Ambassador on May 5 a copy of a letter dated April 7, 2006, to President Mugabe from Ambassador Salamata Sawadogo, Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' rights (ACPHR) (full text [...] |
2006-05-09 14:15:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI |
| 06HARARE533 |
DEMONSTRATORS TAP SCHOOL FEE RESENTMENT [...] (U) Police arrested 185 demonstrators who had been protesting school fees at a Women of Zimbabwe Arise! (WOZA) demonstration in Bulawayo on May 4; all were released as of May 8. A brief WOZA demonstration in Harare May 8 attracted 80-100 participants. None of the participants were arrested [...] |
2006-05-09 15:34:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PGOV PHUM PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE553 |
ZIMBABWEANS ON THE EDGE OF A BREAKDOWN: THE VIEW [...] (C) During a May 2-3 visit to Bulawayo, Ambassador Dell met with both factions of the MDC, an activist organization, and a local economist. MDC anti-Senate faction Vice-President Thokozani Khupe argued that Zimbambweans were ready for mass peaceful action but needed to see the opposition taki [...] |
2006-05-11 18:06:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE560 |
ZIMPLATS NEARS DEAL TO RELEASE PLATINUM CLAIMS TO [...] No summary [...] |
2006-05-12 12:45:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EMIN PGOV ZI |
| 06HARARE563 |
ZIMPLATS NEARS DEAL TO RELEASE PLATINUM CLAIMS TO [...] (C) Zimplats CEO Greg Sebborn told econoff on May 2 that the company had agreed in principle to release undeveloped platinum claims to the GOZ. In a 4-way deal that could be close to conclusion, the claims would go to the Russian mining firm Norilsk, the GOR would provide Air Zimbabwe with Il [...] |
2006-05-12 12:47:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EMIN PGOV ZI |
| 06HARARE583 |
"OPERATION ROUND-UP" SO FAR LARGELY ILLUSORY [...] (U) The GOZ-controlled Herald daily reported in a front-page story on May 15 that Harare police last week had picked up 10,000 "squatters, vagrants and street youths" for relocation to rural areas after "screening." According to the article, the exercise was part of "Operation Round-Up", an [...] |
2006-05-17 16:55:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ASEC ZI |
| 06HARARE586 |
IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED AT REFUGEE CAMP [...] (C) During poloff's May 10 visit to the remote Tongogara Refugee Camp, home to approximately 2,300 of the 12,300 refugees Zimbabwe hosts, UNHCR officials lamented budget challenges to camp operations and outlined areas of need, such as water distribution and opportunities for self-sufficiency. [...] |
2006-05-18 14:02:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREF EAID ZI |
| 06HARARE59 |
HARARE BFIF PROJECT PROPOSAL [...] (U) Embassy Harare proposes to draw on the Business Facilitation and Incentive Fund (BFIF)(reftel) to sponsor a business/economic policy forum on "A Foundation for Economic Turnaround: Private Sector Perspectives." 2. (SBU) With Zimbabwe's GDP having contracted by more than a third in jus [...] |
2006-01-20 04:46:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ABUD AMGT BEXP BTIO ECON ETRD ZI |
| 06HARARE610 |
ANTI-SENATE MDC FACTION WINS PARLIAMENTARY [...] (C) The anti-Senate MDC faction candidate, Emmanuel Chisvuure, successfully defended the Budiriro constituency in a by-election held on May 20. The seat was vacant as a result of the February death of MDC M.P. Gilbert Shoko. In a tally confirmed by an independent election observing body, Ch [...] |
2006-05-22 16:08:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PREL PGOV ZI |
| 06HARARE626 |
ZCTU LABOR CONFERENCE LACKS SPARK [...] (SBU) At the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions' (ZCTU) Sixth General Conference in Harare May 19-20, the approximately 300 delegates in attendance reconfirmed most of the ZCTU leadership but took little concrete action to confront the GOZ over its disastrous policies. ZCTU Secretary General W [...] |
2006-05-24 16:50:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC ECON ELAB PGOV PHUM ZI |
| 06HARARE629 |
ZIMPLATS TURNS OVER 36 PERCENT OF ITS GROUND TO GOZ [...] (C) Zimplats CEO Greg Sebborn told econoff on May 24 that the company was signing an agreement that day to release 36 percent of its ground to a GOZ mining development parastatal. In return, it would receive a not yet quantified "empowerment credit" in connection with ongoing GOZ plans to ind [...] |
2006-05-26 10:07:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EMIN PGOV ZI |
| 06HARARE665 |
ZLHR ON INTRA-AU FRICTION OVER HUMAN RIGHTS; [...] (C) Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) representatives on May 31 advised the CDA on efforts by the Council of Ministers of the African Union, at GOZ instigation, to thwart the African Commission on Human and People's Rights (ACHPR) through procedural improprieties and budget manipulatio [...] |
2006-06-05 17:11:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI |
| 06HARARE666 |
BENNETT'S LAWYER ON ASYLUM CASE [...] (C) Arnold Tsunga, the attorney for MDC Treasurer Roy Bennett, on May 31 told the CDA that Bennett had appealed the South African Department of Home Affairs' recent rejection of Bennett's asylum application. (Embassy has forwarded the original application and judgment to AF/S.) However, Tsun [...] |
2006-06-05 17:14:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI |
| 06HARARE670 |
ZVOBGO ON STASIS, PROSPECTS FOR CHANGE IN ZANU-PF [...] (C) ZANU-PF businessperson and provincial official Eddie Zvobgo told poloff June 1 that the ruling party would remain in disarray and paralyzed by succession tensions until Mugabe passed from the scene. However, he did not believe Mugabe intended to leave office any time soon. Moreover, neit [...] |
2006-06-07 14:15:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI |
| 06HARARE683 |
BITI ON MDC PLANS, INTER-PARTY ENGAGEMENT [...] (C) MDC anti-senate faction Secretary General Tendai Biti on June 7 told poloff that resource constraints would probably delay faction plans to get people on the streets. He reported that ZANU-PF's Mnangagwa and Mujuru factions each were making pitches to faction President Morgan Tsvangirai, w [...] |
2006-06-12 07:30:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM ASEC PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE696 |
GOZ DIVIDING, CONQUERING PLATINUM INDUSTRY [...] (SBU) Post's econoff and Johannesburg FSN resource specialist held meetings in Johannesburg on May 30 and June 2 with South African-based officials of the three platinum mining companies active in Zimbabwe. The meetings revealed that the sector is divided in how to respond to the GOZ's aggres [...] |
2006-06-13 07:49:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC ECON EFIN EMIN PGOV ZI |
| 06HARARE698 |
FLAGGING PRO-SENATE MDC FACTION WRITES OFF [...] (C) MDC pro-Senate faction leaders on June 6 outlined their plans for the immediate future to emboffs, especially including outreach to the Embassy and a possible trip to the United States by the faction's president. Pro-Senate faction Secretary General Welshman Ncube and deputy Secretary Gen [...] |
2006-06-13 11:26:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PGOV PHUM PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE7 |
DESPITE GOZ RHETORIC, COOPERATION WITH UN ONGOING [...] (C) In the month since UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Jan Egeland visited Zimbabwe, the GOZ has continued its vitriolic attacks against the envoy and the UN, especially over the issue of shelter for the victims of Operation Murambatsvina. [...] |
2006-01-04 13:38:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID PHUM PGOV PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE70 |
ZIMBABWE 2005-2006 INSCR: PART II: FINANCIAL [...] (U) Zimbabwe faces a serious and growing problem with official corruption and many other common risk factors associated with money laundering. Zimbabwe has the legal framework in place to combat money laundering but the growing economic vulnerability of Zimbabwean officials and the decline of [...] |
2006-01-23 14:29:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN KCRM KTFN PTER SNAR ZI |
| 06HARARE702 |
TSVANGIRAI ON EUROPE TRIP, NEXT STEPS [...] (C) In a June 11 meeting with the Charge, MDC anti-senate faction President Morgan Tsvangirai said he made important progress in refurbishing the faction's relationships with donors and the diaspora during a European tour earlier in the month. The opposition leader reiterated the faction's co [...] |
2006-06-14 11:29:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM EAID ZI |
| 06HARARE721 |
MURAMBATSVINA ECHOES CONTINUING [...] (C) On June 15, officials from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that municipal police burned down the houses and possessions of approximately 100 families in the Harare suburb of Glen Norah early that day. City officials had served an eviction notice to the families [...] |
2006-06-15 15:40:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ASEC ZI |
| 06HARARE724 |
US SUBSIDIARY CONFESSES SANCTIONS SINS [...] (C) The Managing Director of the Zimbabwe branch of Greif, an Ohio-based packaging company, told poloff on June 14 that his branch had been knowingly violating US financial sanctions for several years by providing services to Robert Mugabe and other specially designated nationals (SDNs). Tich [...] |
2006-06-15 17:32:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KFPC PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE725 |
MADHUKU ON NCA PLANS, ATMOSPHERICS FOR CIVIL [...] (C) National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) Chairperson Lovemore Madhuku on June 14 told poloff that his organization would organize street demonstrations in the capital within three weeks, with or without collaboration from the opposition MDC and others in civil society. The NCA planned to e [...] |
2006-06-16 09:22:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI |
| 06HARARE731 |
GOZ POLICIES CRIPPLING BANKING SECTOR [...] (SBU) Stricter liquidity controls implemented in January by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) are sapping the banking sector of vital capital at the same time as the industry struggles to comply with higher capital requirements that take effect later this year. This impending crunch has fue [...] |
2006-06-19 15:32:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE74 |
HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYERS LATEST GOZ TARGET [...] (C) The GOZ has stepped up its pressure against the prominent local NGO Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR). Police attempted to arrest the NGO,s Executive Director and reportedly are still searching for him and another lawyer involved with the independent radio station Voice of the Peop [...] |
2006-01-24 11:43:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE764 |
FORMER ZANU-PF OFFICIAL LAUNCHES NEW OPPOSITION [...] (U) Daniel Shumba, a former ZANU-PF provincial chairman for Masvingo, officially launched the United People,s Party (UPP) on June 24 in Harare before a smaller than advertised crowd of approximately 800 supporters. (N.B. Shumba was one of the six provincial chairmen forced out of the ruling pa [...] |
2006-06-27 15:33:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ASEC ZI |
| 06HARARE765 |
INFORMATION MINISTER'S PASSING LEAVES NO VOID [...] (U) The state media on June 22 announced the June 21 death of Minister of Information and Publicity Tichaona Jokonya. A former Permanent Representative at the UN and Executive Director of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Jokonya was 67. The minister had been treated in the United States for [...] |
2006-06-27 15:43:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KPAO ZI |
| 06HARARE766 |
GOZ LAND REFORM BRIEFING: THE MASK COMES OFF [...] (C) Minister for State Security, Lands, Land Reform and Resettlement Didymus Mutasa told the diplomatic corps at a June 21 briefing that the GOZ would honor its international agreements and either provide compensation or return foreign-owned farms that had been expropriated. However, he offe [...] |
2006-06-27 15:51:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL EAGR ECON EINV ZI |
| 06HARARE77 |
TRIPARTITE NEGOTIATING FORUM YIELDS LITTLE [...] (U) The GOZ-controlled Herald newspaper reported in its headlines on January 20 that the Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF) had agreed to a Prices and Income Stabilization Protocol. The article noted, however, that the major sticking point of tying wages to the Poverty Datum Line remained unr [...] |
2006-01-24 14:11:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ELAB PGOV PREL ECON ZI |
| 06HARARE770 |
NO STABILITY IN SIGHT FOR ZIMBABWE'S LAND REFORM [...] (C) Commercial Farm Union Vice President Trevor Gifford on June 27 updated poloff on the GOZ's latest 99-year lease form, which would vest in the GOZ unfettered authority to repossess any properties distributed in its ongoing chaotic land reform process. Gifford said the form offered insuffi [...] |
2006-06-28 15:26:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | EAGR PGOV ASEC EINV PHUM PREL ECON ZI |
| 06HARARE772 |
A CHASTENED MUTAMBARA SEEKS ASSISTANCE AND TOUTS [...] (C) MDC pro-Senate faction President Arthur Mutambara on June 27 sought the Ambassador's assistance and advice in connection with a planned U.S. visit. The Ambassador responded that we would support the visit and added that we would provide equitable assistance to Mutambara,s faction in the [...] |
2006-06-29 14:24:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI |
| 06HARARE783 |
MUTARE BISHOP ON DIALOGUE WITH MUGABE, NATIONAL [...] (C) In a June 29 meeting with the Ambassador, Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe Bishop Trevor Manhanga said President Mugabe seemed genuine in his recent efforts to reach out to religious leaders. He said Central Intelligence Organization (CIO) head Happyton Bonyongwe was facilitating the bis [...] |
2006-07-03 14:06:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI |
| 06HARARE785 |
DEMARCHE DELIVERED: WTO DOHA ROUND NEGOTIATIONS, [...] On June 29, the Embassy conveyed the WTO demarche (reftel) to Beatrice Mutetwa, Director of International Trade at the Ministry of Industry and International Trade, Mr. Thadeous Chifamba, Director of Multilateral Affairs and Mr. Vova Chikanda, Director, the America Desk at the Ministry of Fore [...] |
2006-07-03 16:05:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | WTRO ETRD ECON |
| 06HARARE791 |
PRO-SENATE MDC MP LLEGEDLY ATTACKED BY ANTI-SENATE FACTION [...] (SBU)MDC pro-Senate faction MP Trudy Stevenson was severely assaulted on July 2 along with four other pro-Senate faction officials. Stevenson, who was reportedly attacked with a machete and rocks, has alleged that youths aligned to the anti-Senate MDC faction of Morgan Tsvangirai carried out [...] |
2006-07-05 16:19:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL ZI ASEC PGOV |
| 06HARARE800 |
BUSINESS CONGRESS UNDERSCORES GOZ'S ECONOMIC [...] (SBU) The Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce,s (ZNCC) annual congress, which brought together private and public sector participants in late June to address Zimbabwe's economic decline, was a dismal failure that highlighted in particular the GOZ,s inability to consider needed economic refo [...] |
2006-07-07 10:22:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE803 |
VICTIMIZED MP DOWNPLAYS TSVANGIRAI LINK IN PRIVATE [...] (SBU) Pro-Senate MDC MP Trudy Stevenson on July 7 told USAID local staff member that she did not believe the anti-Senate leadership ordered the July 2 attack on her and four other pro-Senate officials (reftel). Recovering at home and in high spirits, she said it was even possible that the GOZ [...] |
2006-07-10 16:01:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PGOV PHUM PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE824 |
SELF-HELP INTERIM OBLIGATION REPORT - HARARE [...] Following is the interim report on project selection of AmEmbassy Harare's FY-05 Self-Help allowance of US $100,000. Post does not anticipate returning any money for re-allocation. Post has focused funding on the following areas based on the current harsh economic climate and the HIV/Aids p [...] |
2006-07-12 13:32:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON AFIN |
| 06HARARE840 |
IMPLEMENTATION OF FOOD SECURITY AND RURAL [...] In response to questions in reftel, Zimbabwe Sugar Sales (ZSS) reported that it plans to ship Zimbabwe's full allocation of sugar to the U.S. for delivery by September 30, 2006. 2. ZSS reported that Zimbabwe could supply an additional 3,000 MTRV by September 30, 2006 if there is an inc [...] |
2006-07-13 08:12:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD EAGR ZI |
| 06HARARE86 |
EMBASSY HARARE RESPONSES TO OIG FORMAL [...] (U) Following are Embassy Harare's responses to the formal recommendations made by the OIG Report of Inspection, Embassy Harare, Zimbabwe number ISP-I-05-37A, dated September 2005. RECOMMENDATION 1: (U) Embassy Harare should establish and implement grant management procedures that include lin [...] |
2006-01-27 07:49:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ASIG AMGT |
| 06HARARE884 |
CENTRAL BANK HEAD - RUNNIN' OUT OF ZEROES [...] (S/NF) Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono acknowledged to the Ambassador in a July 13 meeting that the Zimbabwean economy was in a state of crisis. Despite a modest drop in the annual rate, which he claimed reflected an abundant harvest, inflation remained the country,s greatest problem. It wa [...] |
2006-07-17 07:05:00 | Embassy Harare | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE908 |
GEARING UP FOR AUGUST RURAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS [...] (C) Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) chairperson Reginald Matchaba-Hove told the Ambassador July 12 that ZESN was planning to observe the local elections expected to be held August 19. He said there were rumors the elections might be delayed but there had been no official announcement [...] |
2006-07-18 13:11:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PGOV PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE918 |
STEVENSON ATTACK TRIAL COMMENCES [...] (C) The trial of six youths accused of assaulting pro-Senate MDC MP Trudy Stevenson and four other pro-Senate faction officials resumes on July 20 (ref A). The lawyer for three of the accused contends that the evidence is circumstantial and that only one of the victims was able to identify t [...] |
2006-07-19 16:37:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PGOV PHUM ZI |
| 06HARARE929 |
SELF-HELP INTERIM OBLIGATION REPORT FY06 - HARARE [...] No summary [...] |
2006-07-24 16:31:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON AFIN ZI |
| 06HARARE93 |
ZIMBABWEQS AMBASSADORQS SPECIAL SELF-HELP PROGRAM [...] (U) Post does not anticipate returning any of its USD 100,000 FY 2005 Self-Help Allowance for re-allocation. Funds were obligated on September 30, 2005 as outlined in paragraph 3 below. 2. (U) For FY 2006, post requests an increase in Self-Help funding from USD 100,000 to USD 120,000 for tw [...] |
2006-01-30 11:18:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON PGOV PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE933 |
STEVENSON ATTACK TRIAL POSTPONED A MONTH [...] (U) The trial of six accused assailants of pro-Senate MDC MP Stevenson and four other pro-Senate faction officials convened on July 20. Magistrate William Bhila immediately postponed the case until August 23 so that prosecutors could amend the charges to include a seventh suspect arrested on [...] |
2006-07-25 10:25:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PGOV PHUM PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE946 |
LATEST CLEAN UP OPERATION TARGETS MBARE MARKET [...] (SBU) Officials from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on July 21 reported to post that police on July 14 and 15 demolished the Magaba informal marketplace in Harare's high-density suburb of Mbare. Magaba venders told an Embassy local staff member on July 24 that police on h [...] |
2006-07-27 11:08:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE95 |
MDC INSIDER ON INTRA-PARTY NEGOTIATIONS [...] (C) MDC MP Tendai Biti, who has been negotiating with Welshman Ncube,s faction on behalf of MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai, told the Ambassador January 19 that he had SIPDIS prepared a document that would lead to an amicable MDC &divorce.8 The Harare East MP said he had also prepared a dr [...] |
2006-01-30 15:32:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PGOV PHUM PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE96 |
ADVERSE REACTION TO GONO'S POLICY STATEMENT [...] (C) Reaction to Reserve Bank (RBZ) Governor Gideon Gono's Monetary Policy Statement for the Fourth Quarter (details septel) has been largely negative. The independent media gave the most prominent coverage to Gono's public reference to the regime,s concern about public unrest over food insec [...] |
2006-01-30 16:02:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI |
| 06HARARE963 |
61ST UN GENERAL ASSEMPLY: HIGH-LEVEL ATTENDANCE [...] No summary [...] |
2006-07-31 16:18:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL OTRA OVIP KSEP UNGA |
| 06HARARE964 |
GOZ HYPING CHINA'S ROLE IN ZIMBABWE,S ECONOMY [...] (C) Despite GOZ attempts to hype supposed dividends from its relationship with China including the June visit of Vice President Joyce Mujuru to Beijing, business sector contacts tell us that promised Chinese investments have largely failed to materialize. The only major industry in which Chin [...] |
2006-08-01 07:44:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON ZI CH |
| 06HARARE97 |
PARALLEL EXCHANGE RATE JUMPS 50 PERCENT [...] (SBU) After a period of relative stability over the holiday season, the parallel rate suddenly jumped 50 percent in the past week. The jump coincided with renewed business activity, a dearth of forex on the interbank market, and the arrival of an IMF mission sent to assess the state of the ec [...] |
2006-01-30 16:08:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN PGOV ASEC ZI |
| 06HARARE970 |
GONO ANNOUNCES MONETARY STATEMENT BOMBSHELL [...] (C) In his mid-term Monetary Policy Statement on July 31, Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono announced a currency redenomination that will slash three zeros from Zimbabwe's inflation-ridden notes. This conversion will be carried out through August 21, after which the old notes will become wor [...] |
2006-08-01 15:37:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC ECON PGOV PHUM PREL ZI |
| 06HARARE972 |
2006 REPORT ON INVESTMENT DISPUTES AND [...] The US Government is aware of eight (8) claims of US persons which may be outstanding against the Government of Zimbabwe (GOZ). All eight claims arise out of the GOZ's Land Resettlement Program, which commenced in 2000. The general pace of land seizure has slowed, as very few non-indigenous [...] |
2006-08-01 16:13:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | EINV KIDE OPIC CASC PGOV |
| 06HARARE977 |
ZIMBABWE - FY-2006 ESF REQUEST [...] (SBU) As stated in the Mission Performance Plan, Zimbabwe today is a paradox. On the one hand, President Robert Mugabe and his ruling party have tightened their grip over the country in the past year and have benefited from the split in the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). On [...] |
2006-08-03 13:04:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | AFIN AMGT EAID ECON PGOV PHUM PREL XA ZI |
| 06HARARE98 |
MONETARY POLICY STATEMENT THIN ON REMEDIES [...] (SBU) Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono,s Quarterly Monetary Policy Review Statement of January 24 failed to present policy changes to stem Zimbabwe,s economic implosion. Gono conceded that Zimbabwe,s officially reported mid triple-digit inflation had not yet peaked. Tacitly admitting events [...] |
2006-01-30 16:26:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV ASEC ZI |
| 06SECION01OF02HARARE628 |
LABOR STRIKES LOMING [...] C) General Agriculture and Plantation Workers Unio of Zimbabwe (GAPWUZ) General Secretary GertrudeHambira told econoff on May 24 that within two weks the union would likely announce a strike by aricultural workers over wages. Zimbabwe Congressof Trade Unions (ZCTU) Secretary General Wellingon [...] |
2006-05-26 10:03:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ELAB PGO PHUM ECON ASEC ZI |
| 07HARARE1002 |
BFIF FUNDING ONCE AGAIN CATALYZES PRIVATE SECTOR [...] (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 13. ------- Summary ------- 2. (SBU) On October 2, for the second consecutive year, the American Business Association of Zimbabwe (ABAZ), generously supported by the Business Facilitation and Incentive Fund (BFIF) and the private secto [...] |
2007-11-07 14:48:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE1003 |
ZIMBABWE INFLATION REQHES 60,000 PERCENT [...] (C) PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) put the annual (monthly) rate of increase in the cost of living for low, middle and high-income earners in October at 73,221 percent (181 percent), 62,414 percent (123 percent), and 68,609 percent (174 percent) respectively. TM Supermarkets shared its October [...] |
2007-11-07 14:50:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN ECON PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE1004 |
MUGABE STRONG DESPITE DISSENSION WITHIN ZANU-PF; [...] (C) Summary: While much can happen between today and the 2008 elections, the current situation appears to favor continued rule by President Robert Mugabe. Mugabe, despite significant sentiment within ZANU-PF that he step down, maintains firm control of ZANU-PF and observers expect him to eme [...] |
2007-11-08 12:51:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE1007 |
ZIMBABWE SANCTIONS: IDENTIFIERS FOR TARGETED [...] (C) This cable provides unclassified identifier data for the newly proposed Zimbabwe sanctions targets. Note that in each case involving a family relationship, the family ties have been confirmed by Embassy Political/Economic Section contacts or internet sources. Where internet sources are [...] |
2007-11-08 14:32:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE1011 |
Zim Notes November 9, 2007 [...] The Embassy Harare Political/Economic Section began producing Zim Notes in July, 2007 to present a perspective on current events in Zimbabwe. Suggestions are always welcome. If you would like to receive Zim Notes by email, as well, please contact Frances Chisholm at chisholmfm@state.gov. Dist [...] |
2007-11-09 10:21:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM ECON ZI |
| 07HARARE102 |
MUGABE RESHUFFLES HIS CABINET--GONO TRIUMPHANT, [...] (U) Summary. In what the MDC spokesperson termed as "rearranging the deck of a sinking Titanic," President Mugabe yesterday carried out a long-expected cabinet reshuffle. With the exception of the sacking of Minister of Finance Minister Herbert Murerwa and the replacement of Minister of Agri [...] |
2007-02-07 15:47:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ECON ZI |
| 07HARARE1041 |
CREDENTIALS PRESENTATION UNEVENTFUL [...] (C) Ambassador presented credentials to GOZ President Robert Mugabe at 10 am on Thursday, November 22. Also presenting on November 22 were Ambassadors from Australia, Russia and Mexico (the latter resident in Pretoria). Over tea following the US presentation, Mugabe recounted his views on th [...] |
2007-11-23 07:43:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ZI |
| 07HARARE1042 |
CASH SHORTAGE HITS ZIMBABWE [...] (C) Zimbabwe is in the throes of a cash shortage crisis that could threaten the stability of the financial sector. With the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) providing commercial banks with less than half their cash requirement, bank account holders are able to withdraw only a fraction of their [...] |
2007-11-23 09:29:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN ECON PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE1053 |
KUDOS FOR LUSAKA,S ASSISTANCE IN TRANSFORMATIONAL [...] No summary [...] |
2007-11-26 15:16:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | APER ZI ZA |
| 07HARARE1059 |
OTHER DONORS CAUTOUS ABOUT ADDRESSING [...] (C) On November 26 USAID hosted a meeting with Ambassador, Ambassadors from the UK Australia, the EU, Sweden and the Netherlands a well as aid agency chiefs from Canada and the U, to discuss addressing misunderstandings among poitical leaders and SADC negotiators about donor conditions for ree [...] |
2007-11-27 11:08:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL EAID PGOV ECON ZI |
| 07HARARE107 |
OPPOSITION TO MUGABE,S 2010 EXTENSION WIDESPREAD [...] (SBU) According to Embassy interlocutors from a broad spectrum of Zimbabwe's political elite, President Robert Mugabe and his inner circle have encountered stronger than expected resistance in their attempts to extend his term to 2010, including from within Mugabe's own party. Our interlocu [...] |
2007-02-08 15:08:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ECON ZI |
| 07HARARE1073 |
Zim Notes November 30, 2007 [...] The Embassy Harare Political/Economic Section began producing Zim Notes in July, 2007 to present a perspective on current events in Zimbabwe. Suggestions are always welcome. If you would like to receive Zim Notes by email, as well, please contact Frances Chisholm at chisholmfm@state.gov. Dist [...] |
2007-11-30 09:56:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM ECON ZI |
| 07HARARE1080 |
SADC TALKS ENTER FINAL PHASE [...] (SBU) MDC negotiators Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube told diplomats December 4 that the final phase of SADC-sponsored negotiations will take place in South Africa between December 5 and December 10. Agreement has been reached on a draft constitution, a new electoral law, reform of POSA, and r [...] |
2007-12-05 13:41:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ASEC ZI |
| 07HARARE109 |
FY06 BFIF DETAILED ACTUAL EXPENDITURES - ZIMBABWE [...] No summary [...] |
2007-02-09 08:26:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | ABUD BEXP BTIO EINV ETRD AFIN |
| 07HARARE1091 |
WORLD BANK MISSION DEPARTS PESSIMISTIC ABOUT [...] (SBU) A World Bank mission which visited Harare November 22-30 reported skyrocketing hyperinflation, a shrinking tax revenue base, and out-of-control public spending that only comprehensive, mutually reinforcing policy reforms could begin to reverse. The GOZ, however, is about to announce a o [...] |
2007-12-06 13:18:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE1093 |
Zim Notes December 7, 2007 [...] The Embassy Harare Political/Economic Section began producing Zim Notes in July, 2007 to present a perspective on current events in Zimbabwe. Suggestions are always welcome. If you would like to receive Zim Notes by email, as well, please contact Frances Chisholm at chisholmfm@state.gov. Dist [...] |
2007-12-07 10:51:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM ECON ZI |
| 07HARARE1106 |
CIVIC ACTIVISTS KEEP UP STREET PRESSURE [...] (U) In the past week, activists from Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) and National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), two local pro-democracy NGOs, staged separate street demonstrations in Harare that resulted in beatings by police and arrests. WOZA and NCA remain the most active civil society grou [...] |
2007-12-12 09:41:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV ZI ASEC WMN |
| 07HARARE1107 |
SADC TALKS STALL, BUT MDC INTENDS TO CONTEST [...] (C) MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai told the Ambassador December 11 that MDC negotiators had returned from South Africa without an agreement. Sticking points are MDC insistence on: --implementation of a new constitution before the election; --reconstitution of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commissi [...] |
2007-12-12 09:42:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ASEC ZI |
| 07HARARE1118 |
ZIMBABWE,S MULTIPLE EXCHANGE RATES, [...] (SBU) Players in Zimbabwe's formal and informal economy primarily use three different exchange rates: a grossly overvalued official rate that is forced on exporters but a source of patronage for the ruling party in selling forex; a parallel rate for cash, which has become extremely scarce rec [...] |
2007-12-14 10:26:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN ECON PGOV AMGT ZI |
| 07HARARE1119 |
Zim Notes December 14, 2007 [...] The Embassy Harare Political/Economic Section began producing Zim Notes in July, 2007 to present a perspective on current events in Zimbabwe. Suggestions are always welcome. If you would like to receive Zim Notes by email, as well, please contact Frances Chisholm at chisholmfm@state.gov. Dist [...] |
2007-12-14 10:30:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM ECON ZI |
| 07HARARE1125 |
SADC TALKS CONTINUE; MDC TO PRESENT UNITED FRONT [...] (C) SADC talks, stalemated over MDC demands for implementation of a new constitution and electoral reforms before elections and for an election date later than March, are continuing. The MDC presented its case last weekend to South African president Thabo Mbeki who promised to talk to Zimbab [...] |
2007-12-17 15:25:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ASEC ZI |
| 07HARARE1130 |
ZIMBABWE HUNTING SUPPORTS REGIME INSIDERS AND [...] (C) Summary. Despite a 50 percent decline in receipts since 2004, the $17.5 million a year safari hunting business remains an important source of foreign currency in Zimbabwe. At least 12 regime insiders on the U.S. financial sanctions list reportedly have interests in the industry. Hunting [...] |
2007-12-19 12:36:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL SENV ZI |
| 07HARARE1134 |
GONO DODGES EFFECTIVE REFORM IN SIMPLY ISSUING NEW [...] (C) Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor Gono announced the issuance of new, higher-denominated bearer cheques on December 19, 2007 and the withdrawal of the previously largest note as a move against cash hoarders. He did not remove any zeros from the currency. Two days later, Zimbabwe [...] |
2007-12-21 09:05:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE1135 |
Zim Notes December 21, 2007 [...] The Embassy Harare Political/Economic Section began producing Zim Notes in July, 2007 to present a perspective on current events in Zimbabwe. Suggestions are always welcome. If you would like to receive Zim Notes by email, as well, please contact Frances Chisholm at chisholmfm@state.gov. Dist [...] |
2007-12-21 10:33:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM ECON ZI |
| 07HARARE1137 |
IMF MISSION CHIEF WARNS THAT ZIMBABWE'S [...] (C) IMF Mission Chief Robert Sharer on December 13 told a gathering of ambassadors from donor countries that Zimbabwe's economic situation was gloomy and worsening. Inflation had begun to grow exponentially and had probably reached 100,000 percent. Real output had probably contracted by about [...] |
2007-12-28 09:25:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN ECON PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE115 |
ZANU-PF FLEXES MUSCLES IN UPCOMING BY-ELECTION [...] (SBU) Summary. ZANU-PF is expected to win the February 17 Chiredzi South by-election, also being contested by candidates from both MDC factions and the United People's Party (UPP), a ZANU-PF off-shoot. The MDC and UPP candidates are from the area and belong to its dominant Shangaan ethnic gr [...] |
2007-02-13 15:07:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ZI |
| 07HARARE116 |
MUGABE'S GRIP LIMITS ECONOMIC REFORM [...] (C) Muyaradzi Kereke, Senior Advisor to Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor Gideon Gono, told econoff on February 9 that Gono would seek permission from President Mugabe to allow a devaluation of the currency for the donor community. To make the policy shift palatable to Mugabe, Gono woul [...] |
2007-02-13 17:21:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN ECON ELAB PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE123 |
POLICE ARREST SCORES OF WOMEN AND STUDENTS TO [...] (U) Summary. Police in Harare and Bulawayo on February 13 arrested more than 250 participants in peaceful demonstrations staged by Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) to protest the country's worsening political and economic crisis. An estimated 2,000 WOZA supporters participated in the group's an [...] |
2007-02-15 09:09:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PGOV PREL ZI |
| 07HARARE128 |
EDUCATION ALLOWANCE FOR ZIMBABWE - YEAR 2007 - HARARE 574 [...] No summary [...] |
2007-02-20 15:03:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | APER AFSN |
| 07HARARE130 |
POLICE ZEALOUSLY CRACK DOWN ON OPPOSITION RALLIES [...] (C) Police and ZANU-PF youth paramilitaries in Harare and Bulawayo violently broke up rallies over the weekend by the two opposition MDC factions. On February 18 in Harare, riot police acting in defiance of a High Court order used water cannons, teargas and batons to prevent an anti-Senate MDC [...] |
2007-02-20 15:25:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL ZI ASEC |
| 07HARARE133 |
ZANU-PF WINS BY-ELECTION AMID LOW TURNOUT [...] (SBU) ZANU-PF retained the Chiredzi South parliamentary seat in the by-election held February 17 with 66.7 percent of the vote. The anti-Senate MDC candidate garnered 21.1 percent of the tally, while the pro-Senate flag bearer came in fourth behind the UPP candidate. Voting day was peaceful, [...] |
2007-02-21 11:42:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ZI |
| 07HARARE137 |
A TENUOUS RECOVERY FOR ZIMBABWE TOBACCO [...] (SBU) Embassy interlocutors in the tobacco sector told us Zimbabwe would likely produce 70-80 million kg of tobacco this season, up from last year's all time low of 55 million kg. They attributed the improvement to massive (and unsustainable) off-budget subsidies, favorable growing condition [...] |
2007-02-22 13:39:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAGR EFIN ETRD ECON PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE14 |
ZIMBABWE 2007 INVESTMENT CLIMATE [...] (U) The Government of Zimbabwe's corruption and mismanagement have severely crippled the local economy making it unlikely to attract or absorb significant foreign direct investment in 2007. GDP has declined by 40 percent in the past 6 years, the largest peacetime drop ever recorded. Inflatio [...] |
2007-01-05 10:08:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EINV EFIN ETRD ELAB KTDB PGOV |
| 07HARARE154 |
COPING IN ZIMBABWE'S MANUFACTURING SECTOR [...] (SBU) Wilson International, a world class manufacturer of billiard tables and bedroom furniture, has become a low-cost outsourcer for a South African manufacturer and has also "twinned" creatively with Zimbabwean importers on forex deals in order to survive in Zimbabwe's harsh business clima [...] |
2007-02-28 10:11:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD PGOV ZI CH |
| 07HARARE156 |
TEACHERS SCORE "VICTORY", CALL OFF STRIKES [...] (U) On February 23 both the Zimbabwe Teachers' Association (ZIMTA) and the Progressive Teachers' Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) called off strikes that had crippled numerous schools throughout the country. Teachers returned to work after the Civil Service Association Apex Council, which represents a [...] |
2007-02-28 14:43:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM ELAB PGOV PREL ZI |
| 07HARARE157 |
IOM RECEPTION CENTER PROVIDES MUCH NEEDED RELIEF [...] (U) Poloffs from Embassies Harare and Pretoria met on January 30 in the town of Beitbridge, Zimbabwe to tour the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Reception Center for Zimbabweans deported from South Africa. Since opening its doors, the IOM Center has provided much needed relief [...] |
2007-03-01 10:17:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREF PHUM PGOV ZI SF |
| 07HARARE170 |
TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (TIP) REPORT - ZIMBABWE [...] (SBU) This is Embassy Harare's response to questions in paragraphs 27-30 of SECSTATE 202745. -------- Overview -------- -- A. (SBU) Zimbabwe is a country of origin, transit and destination for internationally and domestically trafficked persons. Women and young girls are the most at ris [...] |
2007-03-07 13:25:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KCRM PHUM KWMN ELAB KFRD PREF SMIG |
| 07HARARE172 |
AMBASSADOR VISITS ZIMBABWE'S PREMIER PLATINUM [...] (SBU) On February 6, Zimplats executives guided Ambassador Dell on a day-long tour of the company's platinum mining and processing operations in the second largest platinum deposit in the world. Having made peace, temporarily at least, with the GOZ under pressure of expropriation by ceding a [...] |
2007-03-07 14:43:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EMIN ECON PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE183 |
ZANU-PF GOVERNOR MSIPA ON SUCCESSION, FARM [...] (C) Cephas Msipa, ZANU-PF governor of Midlands Province, despairingly told polecon chief in a March 7 meeting in his Gweru office he believed the present government was betraying the liberation ideals of freedom and an end to poverty. He described President Robert Mugabe as a close friend, b [...] |
2007-03-09 10:03:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ECON PHUM ZI |
| 07HARARE195 |
POLICE BRUTALLY DISRUPT PRAYER RALLY AND ARREST [...] (C) Security forces on March 11 brutally suppressed a prayer rally planned by the Save Zimbabwe Campaign and arrested more than 100, including MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai and other key opposition leaders. Observers SIPDIS report that more than 1,000 police officers were deployed to th [...] |
2007-03-12 15:39:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ASEC ZI |
| 07HARARE198 |
TSVANGRIRAI AND MISTREATED OPPOSITION DETAINEES [...] (C) A badly beaten MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai and fifty members of his party, including senior leaders from both factions, finally appeared in court March 13. No charges were filed with the court appearance turning on access to medical treatment. The Ambassador and other diplomats obse [...] |
2007-03-13 16:37:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ASEC ZI |
| 07HARARE204 |
TSVANGIRAI, OPPOSITION ACTIVISTS FREED [...] (C) Police late on March 13 released all of the MDC activists arrested on March 11 (Ref B) without filing charges. Eleven of the detainees, including Morgan Tsvangirai, are still being treated at Avenues Hospital. SIPDIS Separately, witnesses claim that Gift Tandare, the MDC youth killed [...] |
2007-03-14 14:37:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ASEC ZI |
| 07HARARE205 |
SIGNS OF INDEPENDENCE IN ZIMBABWE'S PARLIAMENT [...] (C) Ruling party and opposition legislators in Parliament's 14 portfolio committees have demonstrated a growing willingness to challenge executive authority. The MPs have worked to conduct bipartisan public hearings, question ministers, and produce reports critical of the GOZ. This new-found [...] |
2007-03-14 14:45:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ASEC ZI |
| 07HARARE213 |
FUNERAL MARCH DELAYED TO LET LEADERS RECOVER, [...] (C) MDC leaders have been forced to postpone the wake and funerary march for the MDC activist killed by police to allow Morgan Tsvangirai to participate and resolve logistical issues. They hope to finalize plans tomorrow. Tsvangirai remains at Avenues Hospital, where the Ambassador visited h [...] |
2007-03-15 14:43:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ASEC ZI |
| 07HARARE217 |
ZIMBABWE - INPUT FOR 2007 PRESIDENT'S REPORT ON [...] Zimbabwe continues to fall far short of AGOA's qualifying criteria. Post's input for the 2007 President's Report on AGOA (reftel) follows: ------------------------------ Market Economy/Economic Reform ------------------------------ 2. The Zimbabwean Government (GOZ) pays lip service to [...] |
2007-03-16 09:37:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD ELAB PHUM PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE218 |
OPPOSITION TELLS OF ASSAULT, CHARTS UNITED WAY [...] (C) Key opposition leaders, excluding Morgan Tsvangirai (released from the hospital but recovering at home) held a press conference March 16 during which they recounted the brutal beatings they and other opposition members sustained at the hands of police and security officials. The oppositi [...] |
2007-03-16 13:23:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ASEC ZI |
| 07HARARE226 |
AMBASSADOR DELL WALKS OUT ON GOZ FOREIGN [...] (U) GOZ Foreign Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi summoned Western diplomats March 12 for a "briefing" on the current situation. Before the briefing began, Ambassador Dell sought assurances that the minister would give diplomats the opportunity to respond and express their concerns. When he [...] |
2007-03-19 16:48:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV PHUM ZI |
| 07HARARE227 |
GOZ PREEMPTS ACTIVIST'S BURIAL, PROMISES MORE [...] (C) President Mugabe on March 16 promised ZANU-PF's youth wing more violence against opposition supporters. GOZ security forces over the weekend severely attacked the MDC spokesman, prevented two opposition leaders from seeking treatment in Johannesburg of their injuries sustained on March 1 [...] |
2007-03-19 17:10:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ASEC ZI |
| 07HARARE232 |
RECOMMENDATIONS TO STRENGTHEN FINANCIAL AND VISA [...] (SBU) U.S. sanctions have played a key role in putting pressure on the Government of Zimbabwe (GOZ). Post believes that now is the time to deepen and expand the financial and visa sanctions, and to apply further pressure on the regime as it increasingly shows signs of crumbling and fragmentin [...] |
2007-03-20 11:25:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | CVIS EFIN PGOV PHUM PINR PREL ZI |
| 07HARARE239 |
ZIMBABWE'S CENTRAL BANK DESPERATELY TRYING TO [...] (C) According to a senior official at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), Zimbabwe will likely produce less than half the country's maize requirements. South African banks were reluctant to lend to the GOZ the forex needed to finance imports so the RBZ has turned to the street, fuelling rapid [...] |
2007-03-22 14:23:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | EAGR EFIN PHUM PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE241 |
ZIMBABWE'S INCREASED VIOLENCE A GOZ CREATION [...] (U) While the GOZ has tried to portray the MDC as a purveyor of violence, largely by trumpeting two alleged petrol bomb attacks, there is scant evidence to support their claims. In fact, we hear every day of more and more evidence of government-sponsored violence. On March 22, Save Zimbabwe [...] |
2007-03-22 14:48:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ASEC ZI |
| 07HARARE242 |
COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR POLITICAL OFFICERS SIKO AND [...] Embassy Harare grants country clearance and warmly welcomes the visit of political officers John Siko and Kerry Varano for consultations with Embassy officials from March 25 to 30. Embassy acknowledges that travelers hold top secret clearances. 2. The Embassy has confirmed your reservatio [...] |
2007-03-23 07:05:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | OTRA ZI |
| 07HARARE245 |
ZIMBABWE UPDATE: MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR SLAIN [...] (SBU) The memorial service for slain MDC activist Gift Tandare will be held tomorrow. The organizers are planning a low-key event to avoid government intervention. Western diplomats plan to attend as a further restraint. Separately, the pro-Senate MDC faction's plans for a weekend rally to [...] |
2007-03-26 14:23:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV PHUM ZI |
| 07HARARE246 |
ACTIVIST'S MEMORIAL SERVICE PROVIDES CALL FOR [...] (U) The Christian Alliance under the auspices of Save Zimbabwe Campaign held a spirited memorial service in Harare on March 27 for the opposition activist, Gift Tandare, killed by police on March 11. A crowd of over 600 attended the service at which MDC leaders Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mu [...] |
2007-03-27 16:11:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL ZI |
| 07HARARE254 |
POLICE RAID MDC HQ, BRIEFLY DETAIN TSVANGIRAI [...] (SBU) Scores of riot police cordoned off several blocks around MDC headquarters in downtown Harare on March 28 and invaded MDC offices. The police actions came just before MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai was to hold a press conference to address the abductions of several MDC leaders in the pr [...] |
2007-03-28 16:43:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE269 |
MDC UNDER SIEGE: ABDUCTIONS, ARRESTS, GOVERNMENT [...] (C) Assailants believed to be government agents have abducted and beaten at least nine opposition supporters since March 3. Additionally, the police reported 35 opposition activists were in custody following a series of raids, including on MDC headquarters March 28. Human rights lawyers said [...] |
2007-03-30 11:47:00 | Embassy Harare | SECRET | PHUM PGOV ASEC ZI |
| 07HARARE270 |
JONATHAN MOYO ON MUGABE SUCCESSION, U.S. POLICY [...] (C) Jonathan Moyo, former Minister of Information and erstwhile Mugabe intimate, told the Ambassador March 30 that Mugabe is aware that there is diminishing support for him within ZANU-PF and around the country. However, if Mugabe decides to run for president again in 2008, Moyo said it is u [...] |
2007-03-30 12:30:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE274 |
INSIDE LOOK AT ZANU-PF CENTRAL COMMITTEEQ,S [...] (C) According to Embassy contacts, President Robert Mugabe steamrolled the ZANU-PF Central Committee meeting on March 30 and forced himself on the ruling party as its candidate for the presidential election in 2008. However, our sources emphasized that Mugabe's peremptory actions have only g [...] |
2007-04-02 15:30:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE275 |
VIOLENCE ANTICIPATED AS LABOR UNION CALLS FOR [...] (C) The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) nationwide stay-away is set for April 3 and 4. The stay-away is ostensibly a protest against dismal wages and worsening economic conditions. However, it comes in the charged atmosphere caused by the government crack down on dissent and is seen [...] |
2007-04-02 15:33:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV ELAB ASEC ZI |
| 07HARARE284 |
CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE RELEASES HARD-HITTING [...] (C) The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Zimbabwe is releasing April 5 a pastoral letter which blames the suffering of the Zimbabwean people on a small black elite which replaced a small while elite, and has perpetuated colonial-like misrule. The letter refers to the assault, beating, and tor [...] |
2007-04-04 15:25:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM ZI |
| 07HARARE301 |
LABOR STAYAWAY PRODUCES MIXED RESULTS [...] (SBU) The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) two-day nationwide stay-away attracted a mixed response. Many businesses in Harare and other major cities closed or had limited operations at the start of the first day with a greater percentage of workers in the country's depressed industria [...] |
2007-04-05 16:16:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV ELAB ZI |
| 07HARARE311 |
MUTAMBARA BACKS TSVANGIRAI FOR 2008 [...] (C) Arthur Mutambara, leader of the MDC's pro-Senate faction told the Ambassador April 10 that both MDC factions would work together in a coalition, fielding one candidate for president, and that anti-Senate faction leader Morgan Tsvangirai would be that candidate. Mutambara was confident S [...] |
2007-04-12 10:59:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE319 |
SUBJECT: DIAMONDS: THE GOVERNMENT OF ZIMBABWE,S [...] (C) Zimbabwe is at risk of losing its Kimberley Process Certification as a result of the how the GOZ has handled the discovery of diamond deposits in Eastern Zimbabwe. The state-owned Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) seized the deposits from African Consolidated Resources (ACR) [...] |
2007-04-13 07:41:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ECON EMIN ETRD ZI |
| 07HARARE322 |
ZIMBABWE,S STRUGGLING FERTILIZER INDUSTRY [...] (C) Battered by adversities, fertilizer production in Zimbabwe sunk last year to its lowest level since 1972. Sable Chemical Industries Ltd, the main producer, has been operating at 40-50 percent capacity for the past year due to foreign exchange shortages and price controls. It is also stru [...] |
2007-04-13 10:08:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ECON ETRD ZI |
| 07HARARE326 |
FORMER ZANU-PF INSIDER OUTLINES A "THIRD" WAY [...] (C/NF) Former Information Minister and Presidential Spokesman Jonathan Moyo requested a meeting with the Ambassador April 17. Moyo told the Ambassador that Nelson Mandela, on behalf of the ANC, had attempted to send a message to President Mugabe in advance of the March 30 Central Committee m [...] |
2007-04-17 16:44:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE331 |
GOZ'S NEGATIVE REACTION TO CATHOLIC CHURCH'S [...] (SBU) The hard-hitting pastoral letter (Ref) of the Catholic Bishops Conference was made public on April 12 and read by priests in churches throughout the country on Sunday, April 15. We understand that many priests gave copies of the letter to their parishioners to take home and discuss with [...] |
2007-04-19 15:32:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM ZI |
| 07HARARE336 |
GOZ SETS SIGHTS ON NGOS, CUTS PARLIAMENTARY [...] (SBU) The GOZ has turned its attention to NGOs perceived as unfriendly and to be working with the political opposition and Western governments. The USG-funded State University of New York (SUNY) parliamentary support project became the first victim on April 13 when Clerk of Parliament announc [...] |
2007-04-23 15:25:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ZI |
| 07HARARE341 |
LOCAL OBSERVERS HIGHLIGHT ROADMAP, PITFALLS TO [...] (SBU) Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) Chairperson Reginald Matchaba-Hove on April 17 told poloffs that preparatory work needed to begin now to ensure that elections to be held next year will be free and fair. The SADC summit in Tanzania had locked the GOZ into presidential and parli [...] |
2007-04-24 12:56:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ZI |
| 07HARARE343 |
WOZA POWER OUTAGE PROTESTS DRAW HARSH POLICE [...] (C) Over 500 Women of Zimbabwe Arise! (WOZA) supporters on April 19 held simultaneous demonstrations at several government offices in Bulawayo to protest frequent power outages; police arrested more than 80. Approximately 450 WOZA supporters staged a second series of simultaneous protests at [...] |
2007-04-24 15:36:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL ZI |
| 07HARARE344 |
AMBASSADOR,S MEETING WITH MDC,S TSVANGIRAI [...] (C) MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai told the Ambassador April 24 that he would plan to visit Washington the second week of May. The Ambassador urged Tsvangirai during his visit to present a strategic vision of the way forward toward elections next year. On the SADC initiative, Tsvangirai accused [...] |
2007-04-24 15:55:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SF ZI |
| 07HARARE350 |
ZIMBABWE: TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS SOLICITATION FOR [...] (U) In response to reftel, Embassy Harare forwards the following five summary excerpts from anti-trafficking proposals submitted by International Organization for Migration (IOM), Save the Children Norway, Musasa Project, Girl Child Network and Human Rights Trust of Southern Africa (SAHRIT). T [...] |
2007-04-26 06:36:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PGOV PREL ZI |
| 07HARARE38 |
HARARE BFIF PROJECT PROPOSAL [...] (U) Embassy Harare proposes to draw on the Business Facilitation and Incentive Fund (BFIF) to sponsor two events: in order of priority, a sequel to the successful October 2006 BFIF-funded "Just Business" forum (Ref A); and a one-day trade fair with the theme of intellectual property rights ( [...] |
2007-01-18 09:02:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ABUD AMGT BEXP BTIO ECON ETRD KIPR ZI |
| 07HARARE383 |
INTIMIDATION CAMPAIGN CONTINUES WITH ARREST OF [...] (C) The government on May 4 arrested Alec Muchadehama and Andrew Makoni, two prominent human rights lawyers who have been representing 31 opposition officials arrested over the last six weeks. The two lawyers were charged with obstruction of justice. Police subsequently ignored a series of c [...] |
2007-05-07 14:32:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL ZI |
| 07HARARE385 |
DUTY PAYABLE IN FOREX CRASHES BOOMING USED CAR [...] (SBU) As of April 6, the GOZ is requiring that duty and other taxes be paid in foreign exchange on a range of items recently declared luxury goods, from most passenger vehicles to suitcases and mirrors. The policy shift closed a loophole that had made the used car market the hottest new busi [...] |
2007-05-07 15:17:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD ECON PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE394 |
LAWYER'S MARCH ENDS IN VIOLENCE [...] (U) A May 8 march organized by the Law Society of Zimbabwe to protest the arrest of two human rights lawyers, Alec Muchadehama and Andrew Makoni (reftel), ended with violence as riot police used batons to disperse and beat a crowd of approximately 40. Police temporarily detained several of the [...] |
2007-05-08 15:02:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL ZI |
| 07HARARE413 |
GONO TINKERS AS ECONOMIC CRISIS DEEPENS [...] (C) Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor Gono failed to address the structural problems underlying Zimbabwe,s hyperinflation and contracting production in his April 26 interim Monetary Policy Statement (MPS). Gono announced an implicit devaluation of the currency, but it fell far short of [...] |
2007-05-11 08:54:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | EFIN ETRD EMIN PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE418 |
MDC CEDES BY-ELECTION TO ZANU-PF [...] (SBU) The two factions of the MDC have decided not to contest the Zaka East Parliamentary By-election on June 9, virtually ensuring victory for the ZANU-PF candidate, retired Colonel Livingstone Chineka, who is part of the Mujuru faction. Zimbabwe Electoral Support Network (ZESN) said it pla [...] |
2007-05-14 15:42:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ZI |
| 07HARARE42 |
TSVANGIRAI OPPOSES 2010 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION [...] (U) MDC anti-Senate faction leader Morgan Tsvangirai at a press conference at MDC headquarters vowed to resist a postponement of the 2008 presidential election until 2010. Tsivangirai also said that constitutional reform should SIPDIS precede elections and allowed that negotiations on refor [...] |
2007-01-18 15:17:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ZI |
| 07HARARE425 |
AMBASSADOR'S FUND FOR REFUGEES FY 2007 - ZIMBABWE [...] (U) Per reftel, post submits the following request for Ambassador's Fund for Refugees funding for a project to improve the educational facilities at Tongogara Refugee Camp in Zimbabwe. ----------------------------------- Description of the Service Required ---------------------------------- [...] |
2007-05-15 14:50:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | PREF |
| 07HARARE443 |
THE COLLAPSE OF A ONCE SHINING EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM [...] (U) The University of Zimbabwe (UZ) is on the verge of collapse as a result of a continuing three- month strike by lecturers, insufficient resources, and dilapidated conditions. Additionally, the UZ has been wracked by violence as security forces have attacked students protesting university c [...] |
2007-05-18 10:11:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE448 |
CAMPAIGN 2008: A ROAD TO DISASTER? [...] (C) The ruling ZANU-PF party remains beset with infighting over Robert Mugabe's efforts to hang on to power. Mugabe is likely to secure the ruling party's endorsement as its candidate for next year's presidential lection at an Extraordinary Congress to be held later this year, according to ru [...] |
2007-05-21 15:00:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ZI |
| 07HARARE449 |
GOZ REACTS TO CATHOLIC BISHOPS' PASTORAL LETTER [...] (C) After several weeks of silence, the GOZ, through newspaper interviews with President Robert Mugabe and Minister of Local Government, Public Works and Urban Development Ignatius Chombo, slammed the pastoral letter of the Catholic Bishops' Conference disseminated and read at the beginning o [...] |
2007-05-21 15:01:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM ZI |
| 07HARARE463 |
JONATHAN MOYO ON ZANU-PF TURMOIL [...] (C) Former Information Minister and Presidential Spokesman Jonathan Moyo told poleconchief May 24 that President Robert Mugabe continues to face internal ZANU-PF opposition, primarily from the Mujuru faction, both in the GOZ cabinet and in the provinces. There is also a split within Mugabe' [...] |
2007-05-24 15:05:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE469 |
GOZ SEEKS USG SUPPORT TO CONTINUE ELEPHANT HUNTING [...] (SBU) In a May 25 meeting with the Ambassador, Environment and Tourism Minister Francis Nhema sought our support for Zimbabwe's opposition to a proposal by Kenya to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to ban all elephant hunting and trade in elephant products [...] |
2007-05-30 09:54:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SENV ETRD PREL PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE474 |
MDC TALKS BREAK DOWN [...] (C) MDC Pro-Senate MP David Coltart, who has represented his faction in unity negotiations with the Anti-Senate faction since August, told the Ambassador May 24 that negotiations had ground to a halt. Coltart said that as of last November he became convinced that unity was impossible but tha [...] |
2007-05-30 13:35:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE485 |
MUJURU LIEUTENANT PITCHES FOR USG SUPPORT [...] (C) David Butau, ZANU-PF MP and member of the faction allied to ex-military commander Solomon Mujuru, told poloff on May 31 that Mujuru had determined that the time to unseat President Robert Mugabe was now. Mujuru had flexed his muscle and wrested control of the party structures in Masvingo [...] |
2007-06-01 08:50:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ASEC ZI |
| 07HARARE503 |
WOZA'S SILENT MARCH ATTRACTS HARSH RESPONSE FROM [...] (SBU) Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) supporters staged a "silent march" on June 6 in Bulawayo to demand inclusion in mediation talks between the government and the main opposition party; police used violence to disperse the crowd of 200 and arrested five women. WOZA leaders Jenni Williams and [...] |
2007-06-07 13:31:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV ASEC ZI |
| 07HARARE504 |
"MAKE A PLAN" MENTALITY CUSHIONS POPULATION, [...] (SBU) As their country's economic decline continues to gather speed, Zimbabweans of all walks of life have increasingly adopted creative coping mechanisms, captured succinctly in the phrase "make a plan" that is now on everybody's lips. These plans are innumerable, but they can be grouped in [...] |
2007-06-07 14:03:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PREL ZI |
| 07HARARE508 |
TSVANGIRAI UPDATES AMBASSADOR ON SOUTH AFRICA [...] (C) MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai told the Ambassador on June 11 that the ZANU-PF position paper submitted to the South African-moderated talks was nothing more than the usual rhetoric, confirming prior suspicion that the GOZ was merely stalling. Unlike the MDC submission that addressed Zi [...] |
2007-06-11 09:46:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ASEC ZI |
| 07HARARE513 |
ZANU-PF WINS PARLIAMENTARY BY-ELECTION AMID LITTLE [...] (SBU) As expected (Ref A), the ruling party won the Zaka East Parliamentary by-election on June 9, after both factions of the MDC boycotted the race. ZANU-PF candidate retired Brigadier General Livingstone Chineka polled 11,162 votes against only 2,376 combined for two smaller parties. Chinek [...] |
2007-06-11 15:16:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM PREL ASEC ZI |
| 07HARARE518 |
WOZA LEADERS RELEASED THEN CLAIM VICTORY AT SECOND [...] (U) All seven Women of Zimbabwe Arise! (WOZA) activists arrested in Bulawayo on June 6 (Ref A) have been released. On June 8 police released without charge the five WOZA members initially arrested at the demonstration, and released WOZA leaders Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu on June 10 [...] |
2007-06-13 14:36:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PGOV WMN ASEC ZI |
| 07HARARE532 |
GEARING UP TO IMPLEMENT NEW DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT [...] (SBU) After years of debate and controversy, Parliament in February passed the Domestic Violence Act which criminalizes domestic violence and protects victims of domestic abuse. While President Mugabe has yet to set the date for the Act to become law, the Ministry of Women's Affairs and loc [...] |
2007-06-15 10:22:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KWMN PHUM PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE533 |
STATE CASE IN PETROL BOMB ATTACKS CONTINUES TO [...] (SBU) The GOZ's case against 32 MDC activists accused of carrying out March 13 petrol bomb attacks continued to crumble last week as the state withdrew the charges against thirteen of the accused. MDC Election Coordinator Ian Makone, along with six others, was released on June 7 after spendin [...] |
2007-06-15 11:01:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PREL ASEC ZI |
| 07HARARE534 |
DHRF FY2006 ANNUAL SUMMARY REPORT -- ZIMBABWE [...] (SBU) This message contains the annual summary report for Zimbabwe's FY2006 Democracy and Human Rights Fund (DHRF) II activities. Post has in process/advanced $32,421 of the $60,000 in obligated FY2006 funds (none of the payments has been registered yet as liquidated by the USAID Financial Con [...] |
2007-06-15 11:02:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL ZI |
| 07HARARE543 |
2007 REPORT ON INVESTMENT DISPUTES AND EXPROPRIATION [...] The US Government is aware of eight (8) claims of US persons which may be outstanding against the Government of Zimbabwe (GOZ). All eight claims arise out of the GOZ's Land Resettlement Program, which commenced in 2000. The general pace of land seizure has slowed, as very few non-indigenous c [...] |
2007-06-19 15:01:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | CASC EINV KIDE OPIC PGOV |
| 07HARARE552 |
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 18 - ANOTHER GOVERNANCE [...] (C) Parliament is due to debate the proposed Constitutional Amendment 18 when it re-opens in late July. The Amendment Bill has provisions for holding simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections in March 2008; it strengthens the Executive's control over Parliament by substantially inc [...] |
2007-06-21 14:22:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ASEC SADC KDEM ZI |
| 07HARARE567 |
COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR RITA BYRNES [...] Embassy Harare grants country clearance and warmly welcomes the visit of Rita Byrnes to assist Embassy Harare Political/Econ section from July 2 to August 19, 2007. Embassy acknowledges that Ms. Byrnes holds a top secret clearance. SIPDIS 2. The Embassy has arranged TDY housing accommod [...] |
2007-06-25 14:55:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | OTRA SF ZI |
| 07HARARE598 |
INDIGENIZATION BILL - ANOTHER BLOW TO ZIMBABWE'S [...] (SBU) Parliament is scheduled to begin considering the Indigenization and Economic Empowerment Bill in late July. The Bill's official purpose is to seek to increase participation of indigenous Zimbabweans in the economy; its ultimate objective is for at least 51 percent of the shares of every [...] |
2007-07-05 15:02:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV ECON EINV ZI |
| 07HARARE605 |
GOZ IN DOOMED BID TO END HYPERINFLATION BY FIAT [...] (SBU) On the heels of a sharp spike in inflation, the GOZ on June 25 began a populist campaign to roll retail prices back to their June 18 level. Using thuggery and intimidation, "crack teams" under a newly established Cabinet Task Force descended first on supermarkets then across the retail [...] |
2007-07-10 05:53:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ECON PHUM ASEC ZI |
| 07HARARE627 |
THE MDC VIEW OF THE MBEKI TALKS [...] (C) Tendai Biti, secretary-general of the MDC anti-Senate faction, told Poleconchief July 11 that South African mediators were furious that ZANU-PF negotiators had failed to travel to South Africa last week for SADC-sponsored talks under the auspices of South African president Thabo Mbeki. Bi [...] |
2007-07-12 12:49:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE63 |
COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR TRENKLE AND POPE [...] Embassy Harare grants country clearance and warmly welcomes the visit of Timothy Trenkle and Robert Pope for the purpose of attending the IOM Reception and Support Centre during the day of January 30. Post recognizes that travelers do not need Embassy assistance. 2. Based on the current ec [...] |
2007-01-26 09:46:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | OTRA PREL PREF SF ZI |
| 07HARARE638 |
The End is Nigh [...] (C) Having said my piece repeatedly over the last three years, I won't offer a lengthy prescription for our Zimbabwe policy. My views can be stated very simply as stay the course and prepare for change. Our policy is working and it's helping to drive change here. What is required is simply [...] |
2007-07-13 10:04:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ZI |
| 07HARARE656 |
TREVOR MANHANGA ON MEETINGS WITH MUGABE AND GONO, [...] (C) Summary. Evangelical Bishop Trevor Manhanga, Chairman of the Heads of Christian Denominations in Zimbabwe, spoke with Poleconchief July 18 and recounted a recent meeting with President Mugabe. According to Manhanga, Mugabe is preparing for elections next year and is confident he will wi [...] |
2007-07-19 14:58:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ECON ZI |
| 07HARARE657 |
GOZ CHARTS NEW PATH TO ECONOMIC DESTRUCTION [...] (U) The GOZ's edict to roll back prices continues to wreak havoc as panic buying and supply chain disruptions have led to widespread shortages of basic commodities. Many Zimbabweans, already struggling to make ends meet, spend hours each day standing in line to buy scarce products or executin [...] |
2007-07-19 15:13:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV ZI ASEC ECON |
| 07HARARE664 |
COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR STAFFDEL PHELAN (JULY 29 - [...] Embassy Harare grants country clearance and warmly welcomes the visit of Mr. Michael Phelan and Mr. Marik String of the minority staff of the Senate Foreign Relations committee (sfrc) to conduct a field-based study that will examine assistance funded by the State Department, Defense Department [...] |
2007-07-23 15:03:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | OREP MGT ASEC AFIN MZ ZA UK SF GM |
| 07HARARE671 |
POLICE DETAIN AND BEAT HUNDREDS OF PROTESTORS [...] (U) Police severely beat hundreds of demonstrators detained on July 25 after protests calling for a new constitution were held in five major cities throughout the country. The protests, organized by National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), followed the opening of Parliament. In Harare, more t [...] |
2007-07-26 14:38:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV ZI ASEC |
| 07HARARE680 |
MANDAZA AND MOYO ON SADC TALKS, MUGABE [...] (C) SADC talks between the GOZ and MDC are unlikely to bear fruit according to Ibbo Mandaza and Jonathan Moyo. Although the MDC has made discussions on a new constitution the cornerstone of the talks, and although the first agenda item agreed to in South Africa in June was constitutional disc [...] |
2007-07-31 15:25:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE685 |
WELSHMAN NCUBE ON SADC NEGOTIATIONS, MDC SPLIT [...] (C) Welshman Ncube, MDC pro-Senate faction secretary-general and one of the MDC negotiators in the SIPDIS SADC-sponsored Zimbabwe talks, told us he was "cautiously optimistic" about the talks. Contrary to news reports, ZANU-PF was still engaged and discussions had taken place on a new con [...] |
2007-08-02 09:27:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE687 |
GOZ BACKSLIDES ON FUEL IMPORTATION RESTRICTIONS [...] The Government of Zimbabwe, which two weeks ago announced an end to the use of fuel coupons for the purchase of imported fuel, and which last week in a diplomatic note stated that all fuel importation and distribution would be through the National Oil Company of Zimbabwe (NOCZIM), has reverse [...] |
2007-08-02 12:47:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV ECON ASEC EPET ZI |
| 07HARARE689 |
ZIMBABWE: DHRF FINANCIAL STATUS REPORT AS OF JUNE [...] (SBU) This message contains the Financial Status Report as of June 30, 2007 for the Democracy and Human Rights Fund (DHRF) grants currently open in Zimbabwe. Part A ) Prior Fiscal Year Funds A.1 FY 2004 DHRF Number/ Amt. Oblig./ Unliq. Bal. DHRF-04-613-01/ $21,000.00/ $0 DHRF-04-613-02 [...] |
2007-08-02 13:48:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM ZI |
| 07HARARE692 |
MUGABE'S PRIEST, FATHER FIDELIS MUKONORI [...] (C) This message responds to a request for information regarding Father Fidelis Mukonori. The Embassy meets with Fidelis from time to time. We last saw him in July. 2. (C) Father Fidelis has ties with President Mugabe and other senior ZANU-PF figures going back to the liberation struggl [...] |
2007-08-03 09:05:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PINR ZI |
| 07HARARE693 |
FOLLOW-UP ON GRACE MUGABE [...] (C) This message responds to INR/I questions on Grace Mugabe. 2. (C) Grace Mugabe is not active or well-liked within ZANU-PF circles and she has no close relationships with cabinet members. 3. (C) Grace's relationship with President Mugabe appears stable at this time. In the past sh [...] |
2007-08-03 09:06:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PINR ZI |
| 07HARARE695 |
UNGA HIGH LEVEL ATTENDANCE AND REQUESTS FOR [...] No summary [...] |
2007-08-03 09:29:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL ITRA OVIP KSEP UNGA |
| 07HARARE71 |
NAMES OF INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN ZIMBABWE [...] (U) In response to the request (reftel) to identify the top five most influencial women in Zimbabwe, post submits the following names drawn from government, civil society and business: -Mrs. Joyce Teurai Ropa Mujuru Vice-President fo the Republic of Zimbabwe President's Office Munhumutapa [...] |
2007-01-29 15:04:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | KWMN PHUM PREL ZI |
| 07HARARE712 |
NGO COMMUNITY TARGET OF GOZ HARASSMENT [...] (C) The GOZ's recent push to strictly enforce price controls and immigration regulations has sent shock waves through the international NGO community. In recent weeks, government officials have inspected NGO warehouses, temporarily impounded relief supplies, scrutinized the use of foreign cur [...] |
2007-08-08 15:02:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL ZI ASEC |
| 07HARARE714 |
WORSENING HUNGER, DWINDLING HARVESTS [...] Recent international NGO estimates indicate 4.1 million Zimbabweans will need food aid between November 2007 and April 2008, out of a total population estimated at 9-10 million. The UN World Food Program (WFP) plans to assist 3.3 million Zimbabweans, and C-SAFE, a consortium of US-sponsored N [...] |
2007-08-09 13:07:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | EAGR EAID ECON PGOV PHUM WFP ZI |
| 07HARARE736 |
ZANU-PF OFFICIAL ON CURRENT POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC [...] (C) Walter Mzembi, GOZ Deputy Minister for Water Resources and Infrastructural Development, told polecon chief that the recent price control policy had been badly mismanaged and that recovery would be difficult. The parlous economic situation was ZANU-PF's greatest enemy in next year's elect [...] |
2007-08-17 11:37:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ECON ZI |
| 07HARARE737 |
PRIVATE SECTOR PUTS INFLATION AT MID-20,000 PERCENT [...] (SBU) The respected PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) monthly report on the cst of living put Zimbabwe's inflation rate in th mid 20,000 percent in July, down several thousandpercent from its June figures. The monthly rate of increase collapsed from the triple to the single digits in July as a res [...] |
2007-08-17 11:57:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE75 |
GOZ CRACKS DOWN ON CHRISTIAN ALLIANCE [...] (SBU) On January 26, eight pastors of the Christian Alliance (CA) were arrested after a lunch meeting in Kadoma, a medium-sized town roughly 100 kilometers southwest of Harare. According to Ray Motsi, one of the CA leaders, the lunch was the sixth in a series throughout Zimbabwe to publiciz [...] |
2007-01-30 14:55:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM ZI |
| 07HARARE76 |
GIDEON GONO REINVENTS GIDEON GONO [...] (C) In a January 29 meeting with the Ambassador, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor Gideon Gono said that January 31's Monetary Policy Statement (MPS) would be "totally different" from previous statements. Gono said he would confront the governance problems that were the root cause of [...] |
2007-01-30 15:07:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | EFIN PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE771 |
ZANU-PF INSIDER EDDIE ZVOGBO, JR. ON CURRENT [...] (C) ZANU-PF politician and businessman Eddison Zvogbo, Jr. believes President Robert Mugabe is on track to stand for reelection next year. While many in ZANU-PF would like to see Mugabe go sooner rather than later, internal ZANU-PF opponents are afraid to directly challenge him and are focus [...] |
2007-08-29 13:21:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ECON ZI |
| 07HARARE772 |
POULTRY PRODUCTION AND PATRONAGE - COPING DURING [...] (C) Irvine's Day Old Chicks, Zimbabwe's largest poultry and egg producer, has managed to maintain full production and profitability during the GOZ's price control blitz thanks to the combination of a highly cost-efficient, export-oriented operation and cozy relations with top ruling-party offic [...] |
2007-08-29 13:56:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | EAGR ECON ETRD PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE78 |
COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR JONATHAN M. SMALLRIDGE [...] Embassy Harare grants country clearance and warmly welcomes the visit of Jonathan M. Smallridge for consultations with Embassy officials from February 5 to February 9, 2007. Embassy acknowledges that Mr. Smallridge holds a top secret clearance. 2. The Embassy has confirmed your reservation [...] |
2007-01-31 14:51:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | OTRA SF ZI |
| 07HARARE781 |
TENDAI BITI ON SADC NEGOTIATIONS, ELECTIONS [...] (C) Tendai Biti, MDC anti-Senate secretary-general, believes substantial progress has been made in SADC-sponsored negotiations toward a new constitution. Agreement on the constitution, electoral reform, and repeal of repressive legislation, however, is unlikely before March elections. Any ag [...] |
2007-09-04 14:02:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM ZI |
| 07HARARE795 |
GONO ON MUGABE'S FUTURE, ECONOMY [...] (C) President Robert Mugabe has been urged by those closest to him to leave office, according to Gideon Gono, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, in a meeting with Charge on September 1. In particular, Mugabe's personal physician advised him to step down immediately to preserve his hea [...] |
2007-09-05 10:32:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ECON ZI |
| 07HARARE8 |
GOZ CRITIC SURVIVES APPARENT ARSON ATTACK [...] (SBU) National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) Chairman Lovemore Madhuku and his family survived an apparent arson attack at his suburban arare home at about 12:30 AM on January 1. Madhku told us that unknown assailants had sprinkled trail of gasoline from his front gate to the gaage in the a [...] |
2007-01-04 10:16:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PREL ASEC ZI |
| 07HARARE80 |
GONO'S LONG-AWAITED MONETARY POLICY STATEMENT - A [...] (C) Presenting his Monetary Policy Statement (MPS) to the diplomatic and business community on January 31, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor Gono announced he would not devalue the currency because only a "holistic package" of reforms that addressed price distortions and achieved stake [...] |
2007-02-01 14:44:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN ECON PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE82 |
POLICE SEEK TO ARREST UNION LADER AS TEACHERS [...] (C) Summary. On February 1police conducted an early morning raid on the hoe of Raymond Majongwe, Secretary General of the rogressive Teachers' Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), toarrest the outspoken labor leader. According toZimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), Majongwewas not home at the time [...] |
2007-02-02 10:11:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM ELAB ZI |
| 07HARARE821 |
"CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM" ON SADC TALKS [...] (C) MDC pro-Senate secretary-general Welshman Ncube, one of the MDC's lead negotiators in the SADC mediation, told polecon chief on September 10 he is "cautiously optimistic" that an agreement between ZANU-PF and the MDC on constitutional and electoral reforms will be reached. ZANU-PF is moti [...] |
2007-09-10 15:42:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE822 |
CABINET PANEL CONCEDES PRICE BLITZ DISASTER, GONO [...] (C) A Cabinet panel reviewing the operation of the Taskforce on Price Monitoring and Stabilization learned on September 5 that the crackdown had had a disastrous effect on the supply of food and goods and was also fomenting unrest across the country, according to Munyaradzi Kereke, Senior Adv [...] |
2007-09-10 16:22:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV ASEC ZI |
| 07HARARE849 |
MATABELELAND AND BULAWAYO OBSERVATIONS [...] (SBU) In addition to severe shortages of goods caused by the GOZ's price control policies, Bulawayo and Matabeleland South are suffering from a critical lack of water. Nevertheless, people are until now coping and there is no evidence of starvation. Although this area of the country is solid [...] |
2007-09-17 13:12:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ECON ZI |
| 07HARARE852 |
JONATHAN MOYO ON MUGABE AND SUCCESSION [...] (C) President Robert Mugabe has throat cancer and has been advised by his physician that campaigning will be dangerous to his health. At this point, Mugabe nevertheless intends to seek endorsement at a ZANU-PF Extraordinary Congress in December and run for election in March. He has stated h [...] |
2007-09-18 12:04:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE857 |
LABOR ACTION LOOMS IN ZIMBABWE [...] (U) The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), the country's largest labor group, is calling for a two-day stay-away on September 19-20 to protest a recent ban on wage increases and worsening socio-economic conditions. During the past week, ZCTU has placed announcements for the stay-away i [...] |
2007-09-18 15:00:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM ELAB ZI |
| 07HARARE858 |
AMENDMENT 18 [...] (U) In a choreographed parliamentary session on September 18, ZANU-PF and the MDC agreed to the adoption of Amendment 18 to the Constitution which will harmonize presidential and parliamentary elections, expand the size of Parliament, and mandate Parliament to elect the president in the event [...] |
2007-09-19 13:22:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE868 |
SANCTIONS: SDN IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION [...] (C) Post's effort to obtain requested biographical information on SDNs and their families, as well as justifications for specified individuals for their inclusion on the OFAC sanctions list, is a work in progress. Because of hostile relations between the U.S. and Zimbabwe we do not have acce [...] |
2007-09-21 10:25:00 | Embassy Harare | SECRET | PREL PGOV PHUM ZI |
| 07HARARE869 |
LABOR STAYAWAY A DAMP SQUIB [...] (U) Massive unemployment, fear of job loss, government intimidation, and arrests combined to produce a meager response from workers to a two-day countrywide "stay-away" called by ZCTU for September 19 - 20. In the past week, security agents hauled in labor leaders for interrogations, arrested [...] |
2007-09-21 10:28:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV ELAB ZI |
| 07HARARE870 |
PRO-DEMOCRCAY GROUPS STILL UNDER ATTACK [...] (C) Zimbabwe security forces have intensified repression against labor and pro-democracy groups despite recent reports that the government has agreed to positive concessions in ongoing SADC mediation talks. Within the last week, security forces arrested labor leaders and intimidated workers, [...] |
2007-09-21 10:36:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV ELAB ZI |
| 07HARARE879 |
SANCTIONS II: SDN IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION [...] (C) This cable provides a comprehensive listing of all the material post has developed on our sanctions targets, including the updating of material in reftel. Efforts to obtain biographical information on the below-listed individuals have included: --Consular Section reviewed visa files at P [...] |
2007-09-28 09:42:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE881 |
IBBO MANDAZA ON MUGABE, ZANU-PF'S NEXT STEPS [...] (C) ZANU-PF insider and Solomon Mujuru confidante Ibbo Mandaza met with polecon chief on September 25 and discussed President Robert Mugabe's health and the state of ZANU-PF. 2. (C) Confirming Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono's comments (Reftel), Mandaza said Mugabe's Malaysian physician [...] |
2007-09-28 10:02:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINR ZI |
| 07HARARE882 |
TSVANGIRAI ON SADC MEDIATION PROCESS [...] (U) In a diplomatic briefing on September 26, MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai briefed on progress in the SADC-Mbeki mediation and steps ahead. Elements of a new constitution have been agreed upon. The parties are now discussing a new electoral act, security laws, communication laws, and the [...] |
2007-09-28 10:06:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE883 |
SANCTIONS II: SDN IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION [...] (C) This cable provides a comprehensive listing of all the material post has developed on our sanctions targets, including the updating of material in reftel. Efforts to obtain biographical information on the below-listed individuals have included: --Consular Section reviewed visa files at P [...] |
2007-10-01 10:08:00 | Embassy Harare | SECRET | PREL PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE903 |
AA/DCHA HESS IMPRESSED BY PROGRAMS, BUT ALARMED BY [...] Summary: USAID Assistant Administrator for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA) Michael Hess, accompanied by Special Assistant Amber Brooks, visited Harare, Bulawayo, and rural areas September 16-20 to assess humanitarian needs and programs and to consult with civil society [...] |
2007-10-04 10:11:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID SOCI PHUM ZI |
| 07HARARE906 |
TEACHERS' PAY INCREASE FALLS SHORT OF DEMANDS [...] (U) On October 4, Zimbabwe Teachers' Association (ZIMTA) called off a three-day strike that had brought the country's public school system to a halt. The Civil Service Association Apex Council, which represents all civil servants, including teachers, accepted on October 3 the government's off [...] |
2007-10-05 07:32:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM ELAB PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE911 |
TEXTILE AND APPAREL PRODUCTION AND EMPLOYMENT IN [...] (U) The competitiveness of Zimbabwe's textile and apparel sector has been highly compromised by an unstable macroeconomic environment characterized by persistent foreign currency shortages, obsolete equipment, power outages, fuel shortages and hyperinflation. While production and employment ar [...] |
2007-10-05 12:25:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD KTEX ZI |
| 07HARARE92 |
MDC FACTION LEADER ARTHUR MUTAMBARA: MDC UNITY [...] (C) MDC pro-Senate faction leader Arthur Mutambara told the Ambassador February 1 that cooperation between both MDC factions was necessary to defeat Mugabe. Noting that MDC anti-faction leader Morgan Tsvangirai had expressed similar sentiments in an earlier meeting (Ref), the Ambassador urged [...] |
2007-02-05 14:14:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ECON ZI |
| 07HARARE934 |
BITI AND NCUBE ON SADC NEGOTIATIONS [...] (C) MDC negotiators Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube expect SADC-sponsored negotiations to end in November with an agreement that includes a new constitution. Elections will likely take place in September or October 2008. The MDC remains skeptical that ZANU-PF will permit an environment condu [...] |
2007-10-16 15:31:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM ZI |
| 07HARARE935 |
BITI AND NCUBE ON SADC NEGOTIATIONS [...] (C) MDC negotiators Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube expect SADC-sponsored negotiations to end in November with an agreement that includes a new constitution. Elections will likely take place in September or October 2008. The MDC remains skeptical that ZANU-PF will permit an environment condu [...] |
2007-10-17 05:23:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM ZI |
| 07HARARE938 |
INFORMATION ON HOST GOVERNMENT [...] (U) This cable responds to Reftel. 2. (S) Questions and Responses. A. Watchlisting: -- If host government maintains a "watchlist," how many records does the watchlist contain, and how many are terrorist-related? The GOZ does not have a master watchlist or any central repository of [...] |
2007-10-17 13:49:00 | Embassy Harare | SECRET | KVPR PTER PREL PGOV PINR CVIS ASEC KHLS ZI |
| 07HARARE940 |
POLICE BEAT PEACEFUL MARCHERS CALLING FOR NEW [...] (U) Riot police used baton sticks to disperse more than 50 NCA activists peacefully marching in Harare on October 16 for a new constitution. Several NCA activists were arrested and released without charge and more than 30 were injured. The assault comes on the heels of the arrest of 75 WOZA m [...] |
2007-10-17 14:52:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL ZI |
| 07HARARE942 |
FINAL PUSH ON LAND SEIZURES [...] (U) The Government of Zimbabwe, led by Minister of State for Security and Minister of Lands, Land Reform, and Resettlement Didymus Mutasa, appears intent on evicting the last approximately 350 white farmers (out of approximately 4,500 farmers when land seizures began in 2000). In the past tw [...] |
2007-10-18 12:02:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV ECON EAGR EINV ZI |
| 07HARARE947 |
NOMINATION FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S AWARD FOR [...] (U) The following is Embassy Harare's nomination for the Secretary of State's Award for International Women of Courage. SIPDIS NAME: Beatrice Tele Mtetwa TITLE: Senior Partner INSTITUTION: Mtetwa & Nyambirai Law Firm DOB: November 30, 1958 POB: Zimbabwe Citizenship: Zimbabwean Contact: [...] |
2007-10-19 09:02:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO KWMN PHUM PREL ZW |
| 07HARARE951 |
WILDLY INFLATIONARY NEW MONETARY POLICY [...] (SBU) Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor Gono issued a wildly inflationary Mid-Term Monetary Policy Statement (MPS) on October 1. With concessional loans at 25 percent interest across industry and agriculture and the promise of hard currency payments to productive grain farmers, Gono is [...] |
2007-10-19 10:05:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV ZI |
| 07HARARE952 |
TONGOGARA REFUGEE CAMP TRIP REPORT [...] Representatives from the Bureau of Population Refugees and Migration (PRM) Mary Lange and Nancy Jackson, accompanied by EmbOff, visited Tongogara refugee camp on September 29. Despite harsh economic conditions in Zimbabwe, the nearly 2,700 refugees in Tongogara camp are receiving adequate she [...] |
2007-10-19 10:22:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | PREF PHUM PREL ZI |
| 07HARARE964 |
FY07 BFIF DETAILED ACTUAL EXPENDITURES - ZIMBABWE [...] The following is a detailed accounting of actual expenditures for the "Just Business 2 Forum" and mini trade fair sponsored by the American Business Association of Zimbabwe (ABAZ)and co-funded by BFIF. As instructed in reftel, receipts and supporting documents will be faxed to Gale Gray. B [...] |
2007-10-24 11:56:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | ABUD AFIN BEXP BTIO ENIV ETRD ZI |
| 07HARARE994 |
ZIMBABWE'S BREAD SHORTAGE - NO RELIEF IN SIGHT [...] (C) Zimbabwe has been enduring an acute bread shortage since the recent price crackdown began. Although the GOZ subsequently revised the bread price upward, the shortage has persisted due to low wheat production, continued gross price distortion, and a lack of foreign currency to import grain [...] |
2007-11-01 16:02:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV ETRD EAGR ZI |
| 07HARARE998 |
NO END IN SIGHT TO ZIMBABWE'S ELECTRIC POWER WOES [...] (SBU) Electric power demand in Zimbabwe far outweighs Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority's (ZESA) capacity to supply, and low and erratic coal supplies from Hwange Colliery exacerbate the problem. The GOZ will not allow ZESA to raise its tariffs, among the lowest in the world, to a level [...] |
2007-11-02 10:43:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ENRG EMIN ECON ETRD PREL PGOV ZI |
| 08HARARE100 |
MDC RECONCILIATION FAILS [...] (C) The anticipated Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) reconciliation collapsed this past weekend over the issue of allocation of constituencies in Bulawayo. MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai blamed Matabeleland leaders in both factions, admitting he was unable to control these regional lead [...] |
2008-02-06 14:40:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ASEC ZI |
| 08HARARE1000 |
INDUSTRY URGES GOVERNMENT TO ADOPT PRO-MARKET [...] (U) At its recent annual congress held in Harare from October 28 to 29, 2008 and attended by econ specialist, the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI), with a membership of around 400 companies covering all sectors of the economy, condemned the GOZ and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) f [...] |
2008-11-06 11:28:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM ZI |
| 08HARARE1002 |
WELSHMAN NCUBE ON THE STATE OF PLAY [...] (C) According to MDC-Mutambara (MDC-M) secretary general and negotiator Welshman Ncube, Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe and MDC-Tsvangirai (MDC-T) president Morgan Tsvangirai are supposed to meet tomorrow in Harare to discuss resolution of the political impasse. According to Ncube, Tsvangi [...] |
2008-11-06 16:04:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM ZI |
| 08HARARE1007 |
AMCIT REPATRIATION HIGHLIGHTS ZIM'S CRUMBLING HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE [...] No summary [...] |
2008-11-07 11:44:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | CASC AMED CMGT PGOV SOCI ZI |
| 08HARARE1008 |
SOME MDC ALLEGATIONS OF INCREASED VIOLENCE [...] (SBU) In recent days, MDC has publicly claimed that ZANU-PF has renewed its campaign of violence against the MDC and its members. In a November 6 press release, the MDC claimed that in Epworth, a high density suburb outside of Harare where ZANU-PF set up pre-election torture and reeducation c [...] |
2008-11-07 11:44:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM KDEM ZI |
| 08HARARE1011 |
HARARE: CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO THE PRESIDENT-ELECT [...] Following is the text of a congratulatory message from Robert Mugabe to the President-elect of the United States of America, Mr. Barack Obama. Under the terms of a yet-to-be-implemented power sharing agreement, Mugabe would continue to serve as the President of Zimbabwe. 2. BEGIN TEXT. [...] |
2008-11-10 09:17:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | OPDC PREL OVIP ZI |
| 08HARARE1013 |
ZIM NOTES 11-7-2008 [...] SUMMARY ----------- Topics of the week: - SADC Extraordinary Summit on Deck... - Mugabe Congratulates Obama... - Global Fund "diversion" goes public... - Cholera Outbreak Continues... - Civil Service Corruption Rampant... - WOZA Women Released on Bail... - Visiting American Surgi [...] |
2008-11-10 13:20:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM ECON ZI |
| 08HARARE1016 |
REGIME ELITES LOOTING DEADLY DIAMOND FIELD [...] (C) The CEO of a British mining company described to us how high-ranking Zimbabwean government officials and well-connected elites are generating millions of dollars in personal income by hiring teams of diggers to hand-extract diamonds from the Chiadzwa mine in eastern Zimbabwe. They are sell [...] |
2008-11-12 11:14:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV EMIN ASEC PHUM ZI |
| 08HARARE1019 |
HARARE: POLICE DISCONTINUE COVERAGE OF U.S. EMBASSY DUE TO [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Zimbabwean Republic Police (ZRP) have suspended police coverage of the U.S. Embassy due to complaints of working conditions by the assigned officers. Two (2) police posts have been vacated. ZRP coverage continues at USAID and the Public Affairs Annex. END SUMMARY. 2. (SBU [...] |
2008-11-14 15:09:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC AMGT ZI |
| 08HARARE1025 |
ZIM NOTES 11-14-2008 [...] SUMMARY ----------- Topics of the week: - SADC Attempts to Impose Political Solution... - Protesters Beaten by Police, One Miscarried in Custody... - RBZ Returns Global Fund Money... - Diamonds are a Crooked Politician's Best Friend... - Visiting American Surgical Team Moves to Private [...] |
2008-11-17 14:08:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM ECON ZI |
| 08HARARE1028 |
RESERVE BANK AMENDS SOME PAST FAILED POLICES [...] (SBU) The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe issued a statement on November 13 outlining several changes to bank regulatory policies designed to address cash shortages, the near collapse of the payments system, and exorbitant prices in stores licensed to deal in foreign currencies. The changes to Zimb [...] |
2008-11-18 12:18:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV ECON ASEC ZI |
| 08HARARE1029 |
MDC DETAINEES REMAIN UNACCOUNTED FOR, US ACTION [...] (U) ACTION REQUESTED, SEE PARAGRAPH 5. 2. (SBU) From October 27 until November 1, Zimbabwean security authorities seized 12 individuals, including a mother and two-year old child, affiliated with the MDC. They include local and national officials. The adults are reportedly being interrog [...] |
2008-11-18 14:51:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM ZI |
| 08HARARE1030 |
TIP INTERIM ASSESSMENT: STAGNATION IN ZIMBABWE [...] (SBU) As political negotiations continue, much government activity has come to a standstill. Not surprisingly, given the depth and breadth of Zimbabwe's serious economic, food, employment, and political problems, anti-trafficking efforts by the government have taken a back seat to other issues [...] |
2008-11-18 16:04:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KTIP KCRM KWMN PGOV SMIG ZI |
| 08HARARE1034 |
STATE OF PLAY IN ZIMBABWE--NO END IN SIGHT [...] (C) ZANU-PF has been using the SADC Extraordinary Summit Communique to argue that the MDC-T is the obstacle to implementation of a power-sharing government. The MDC-T has indicated it will not participate in a government until core issues, in addition to control of the Home Affairs Ministry, [...] |
2008-11-19 14:11:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM ZI |
| 08HARARE1035 |
ZIMBABWE DIAMONDS: THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING [...] (C) We spoke about the Chiadzwa diamond fields on November 19 with Greg Sebborn. Sebborn is the former CEO of Zimplats and is currently a consultant to African Consolidated Resources (ACR). He has good connections within the Government of Zimbabwe (GOZ). 2. (C) Sebborn said Chiadzwa had [...] |
2008-11-19 14:40:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ASEC ECON EMIN ZI |
| 08HARARE1037 |
NOTES ON TSVANGIRAI, KHAMA [...] (U) The Ambassador attended a meeting November 20 of donor Heads of Mission. The following information was shared: 2. (SBU) MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai was well received in Strasbourg at the European Development Days conference. He met with EC Commissioner Louis Michel and the AU's Je [...] |
2008-11-20 14:30:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM ZI |
| 08HARARE1039 |
COLLAPSE: ZIMBABWE'S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM [...] (SBU) Zimbabwe's health system has collapsed. Most of Zimbabwe's public hospitals, including the three main medical centers in Harare, are closed. Many clinics lack basics including staff, water, electricity, and medical supplies. Despite protests by medical professionals and outcry over the [...] |
2008-11-20 15:18:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | SOCI EAID AMED PGOV CACS PHUM ZI |
| 08HARARE1040 |
ZIM NOTES 11-21-2008 [...] SUMMARY ----------- Topics of the week: - Still No Political Progress - Health System Collapses - While Cholera Crisis Continues - Over 700 Doctors and Nurses Protest - Biti Still Faces Treason Charges - Tsvangirai's Travels Could Land Him in Jail - Freedom Defenders win awards - Res [...] |
2008-11-24 05:42:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM ECON ZI |
| 08HARARE1055 |
STATUS OF FOOD/NUTRITION IN ZIMBABWE [...] Following alarming news reports of severe malnutrition, vitamin deficiency disease and deaths among children and adults in Zimbabwe, country and regional USAID/Food for Peace staff visited primary health care facilities in four Zimbabwean provinces to verify reports. Findings were not adequat [...] |
2008-11-26 07:53:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ZI |
| 08HARARE1056 |
ZIMBABWEAN INSIDERS BRIEF AMBASSADORS MCGEE AND [...] (SBU) MDC-T negotiator and treasurer Elton Mangoma, civil-society leader Lovemore Madhuku, and Harare Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda on November 24 briefed Ambassador McGee and U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Bost on the political and economic crises facing Zimbabwe. Friendly members of the diplomat [...] |
2008-11-26 13:01:00 | Embassy Harare | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM ZI |
| 08HARARE1057 |
ZIM NOTES 11-28-2008 [...] SUMMARY ----------- Topics of the week: - Negotiators Sign Constitutional Amendment 19... - Treasury Department Designates More Cronies... - Supreme Court Dismisses Danish Suit... - Elders Turned Away... - Frustrated Soldiers Trash Bank... - Mbeki expresses frustration with MDC-T [...] |
2008-12-01 08:06:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM ECON ZI |
| 08HARARE1060 |
FRUSTRATED SOLDIERS ATTACK MONEY CHANGERS [...] (SBU) Soldiers frustrated by inadequate wages and inability to withdraw money from their bank accounts sparked a riot in central Harare on Monday, December 1. About 100 unarmed, uniformed soldiers attacked money changers (and indiscriminately nearby civilians) in an attempt to get cash that [...] |
2008-12-03 05:58:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV ASEC PHUM ZI |
| 08HARARE1061 |
GONO ATTEMPTS TO DEFUSE PROTESTS OVER CASH LIMITS [...] (SBU) Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono announced in late November that the central bank raised the individual and corporate cash withdrawal limits from Z$500,000 and Z$1 million a day to Z$100 million and Z$50 million respectively once a week. The changes will be effective December 4 and ar [...] |
2008-12-03 05:58:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL EFIN ASEC PHUM ZI |
| 08HARARE1064 |
ASSESSING THE DOLLAR STORES: POOR PERFORMANCE SO [...] (SBU) The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) issued foreign currency licenses to Zimbabwean retail stores and manufacturers in September to try to generate the foreign currency required to boost domestic production. Our survey of local retailers and discussions with managers indicate that foreig [...] |
2008-12-03 14:47:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON PGOV PHUM PREL ASEC ZI |
| 08HARARE1065 |
ZIMBABWE AMENDMENT 19 AND THE STATE OF PLAY [...] (SBU) Negotiators from ZANU-PF, MDC-T, and MDC-M agreed on a draft Amendment 19 to the Zimbabwean constitution on November 27. The draft, which essentially incorporates the agreement reached by the parties in September, now awaits approval by party leaders Robert Mugabe, Morgan Tsvangirai, a [...] |
2008-12-03 15:21:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM ZI |
| 08HARARE1066 |
EAC MEETS TO DISCUSS DISTURBANCES BY SOLDIERS, [...] (SBU) Harare EAC convened on December 2 to discuss recent incidents involving disgruntled soldiers (reftel) and a planned December 3 demonstration by the Zimbabwe Council of Trade Unions (ZCTU) and the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA). The EAC determined that these developments required [...] |
2008-12-03 15:47:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC AMGT CASC PREL ZI |
| 08HARARE1067 |
HARARE MANAGEMENT CHALLENGE: COPING WITH COLLAPSE [...] SUMMARY: The collapse of Zimbabwe's infrastructure and economy continues to provide new challenges to post management. Post currently has the capacity to provide regular water supplies to all USG offices and residences except those in commercial office buildings. Additional wells may be requ [...] |
2008-12-03 17:06:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | AMGT SOCI ECON PGOV AMED ZI |
| 08HARARE1073 |
NELSON CHAMISA ON MDC'S NEXT STEPS [...] (C) MDC spokesperson Nelson Chamisa met with Emboffs and Washington TDYers on December 4 to discuss MDC positions and next steps. According to Chamisa, MDC-T president Morgan Tsvangirai's continued absence from Zimbabwe is creating a leadership vacuum that limits the MDC's effectiveness in n [...] |
2008-12-04 15:35:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM ZI |
| 08HARARE1076 |
Proposed Zimbabwe Travel Alert - Cholera [...] Post recommends a Travel Alert be issued for Zimbabwe, warning American citizens of cholera, inadequate potable water, and a collapsed medical infrastructure. The latest outbreak of cholera, which started in August 2008, has overwhelmed medical resources in country, exposed a critical potable [...] |
2008-12-05 07:00:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | CASC ASEC AMED ZI |
| 08HARARE1080 |
ZIM NOTES 12/05-2008 [...] SUMMARY ----------- Topics of the week: - A Week of Turmoil on HarareQs Streets - Civic Leader Abducted - MDC Denies Reports of a Deal within Days - ZANU-PF Conference Not to Discuss Replacing Mugabe - Odinga and Tutu Speak Out - Cholera Crisis Continues - Minister of Health Candid in [...] |
2008-12-05 11:33:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM ECON EFIN ZI |
| 08HARARE1082 |
ZIM NOTES 12-05-2008 [...] SUMMARY ----------- Topics of the week: - A Week of Turmoil on Harare's Streets... - Civic Leader Abducted... - MDC Denies Reports of a Deal within Days... - ZANU-PF Conference Not to Discuss Replacing Mugabe... - Odinga and Tutu Speak Out... - Cholera Crisis Continues... - Min [...] |
2008-12-08 06:51:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM ECON ZI |
| 08HARARE1100 |
RASH OF ABDUCTIONS TARGET HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS AND [...] (SBU) Since December 3, five individuals with ties to human rights groups or the MDC have been abducted by armed men wearing plain clothes and driving unmarked vehicles. Additionally, the 14 MDC members (and a baby) seized over a month ago are still missing, as are two MDC members abducted at [...] |
2008-12-09 14:54:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ASEC |