Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s foreign policy and security advisor Stuart Doran told United States embassy officials in Pretoria that the MDC had lost hope that SADC as a collective, or even a majority of SADC countries, would take any public stance against the regime in Zimbabwe, the ongoing violence, or the likely possibility that the run-off election would be rigged in Mugabe’s favour.
Doran said that Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa had been extremely helpful to the MDC, but was frustrated with the lack of support he was receiving from his fellow SADC counterparts.
Doran said that Mwanawasa sent a former Zambian intelligence officer to regularly brief the MDC.
Doran said that the last time the intelligence officer came down; he showed him a pessimistic report on the side meeting of SADC members at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development 28-30 May.
The report noted that President Mwanawasa tried to talk about the current crisis in Zimbabwe, but King Mswati of Swaziland stonewalled any discussion, arguing proper protocol was not followed and that only SADC’s Organ for Peace and Security should discuss Zimbabwe.
Angola, Lesotho, and Namibia followed Swaziland’s lead, he said, while only Malawi and Botswana supported Zambia’s call.
Full cable:
Viewing cable 08PRETORIA1204, MDC LOSING HOPE IN SADC
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|
Reference ID |
Created |
Released |
Classification |
Origin |
VZCZCXRO2079
RR RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHSA #1204 1571335
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 051335Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY PRETORIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4658
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUEHSB/AMEMBASSY HARARE 3672
RUEHTN/AMCONSUL CAPE TOWN 5655
RUEHDU/AMCONSUL DURBAN 9864
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRETORIA 001204
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/S
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2018
SUBJECT: MDC LOSING HOPE IN SADC
Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Raymond L. Brown. Reason
s 1.4(b) and (d).
¶1. (C) On 04 June, MDC Leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s foreign
policy and security advisor Stuart Doran told PolOff that the
MDC is losing hope that SADC as a collective, or even a
majority of SADC countries, will take any public stance
against the current regime in Zimbabwe, the ongoing violence,
or the likely possibility that the run-off election will be
rigged in Mugabe’s favor. Doran told PolOff that Zambian
President Mwanawasa has been extremely helpful to the MDC,
but is frustrated with the lack of support he is receiving
from his fellow SADC counterparts. Doran believes Mwanawasa
will likely call another SADC extraordinary summit before the
27 June run-off to show that he is trying to “do the right
thing,” but he suspects he also does not have high hopes.
¶2. (C) Doran also told PolOff that Mwanawasa sends down a
former Zambian intelligence officer to regularly brief the
MDC. He said the last time the intelligence officer came
down, he showed him a pessimistic report on the side meeting
of SADC members at the Tokyo International Conference on
African Development 28-30 May. The report noted that
President Mwanawasa tried to talk about the current crisis in
Zimbabwe, but King Mswati of Swaziland stonewalled any
discussion, arguing proper protocol was not followed and that
only SADC’s Organ for Peace and Security should discuss
Zimbabwe. Angola, Lesotho, and Namibia followed Swaziland’s
lead, he said, while only Malawi and Botswana supported
Zambia’s call. (NOTE: PolOff asked about other SADC
countries, but Doran said no other countries were mentioned
in the intelligence officer’s report. END NOTE)
¶3. (C) According to Doran, the intelligence office told Doran
that Tsvangirai should embark on another tour around SADC
asking leaders for their support. Doran reminded him that
the MDC has already done this, visiting some countries
multiple times, and were already given assurances. The
intelligence officer then suggested that the MDC publicize
these conversations, but Doran again rejected the idea,
saying doing so would effectively close presidential doors to
the MDC around the region. Doran ended the conversation by
saying the MDC is losing hope that SADC will do the right
thing.
BOST
(26 VIEWS)
