Britain refuses to give US information on people targeted for sanctions

Viewing cable 07HARARE883, SANCTIONS II: SDN IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION

VZCZCXYZ0002 RR RUEHWEB  DE RUEHSB #0883/01 2741008 ZNY SSSSS ZZH R 011008Z OCT 07 FM AMEMBASSY HARARE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1944 INFO RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 0998 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0599 RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC

S E C R E T HARARE 000883    SIPDIS    SECRET NOFORN    SIPDIS  SIPDIS    AF/S FOR S.HILL  STATE PASS TO NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR B.PITTMAN    E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2012  TAGS: PREL PGOV ZI SUBJECT: SANCTIONS II:  SDN IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION    REF: HARARE 868    Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Glenn Warren under 1.4 b/d    ¶1.  (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 Post;  --DATT reviewed all DAO files at Post;  --Regional Affairs reviewed files and consulted contacts;  --P/E and PAS conducted Internet searches;  --P/E reviewed Bio files at Post; P/E conducted Intellipedia  bio searches;  --PAS reviewed Zimbabwean newspaper archives;  --P/E discussed relationship information with FSNs;  --P/E contacted University of Zimbabwe law and political  science professors;  --P/E contacted the head of the Zimbabwe private school  association;  --CDA and P/E Contacted the Embassy of the United Kingdom  (UK) in Zimbabwe;  --P/E Contacted the Embassy of Australia in Zimbabwe;  --RSO searched files, consulted FSNs with police contacts,  and considered usefulness of requesting official cooperation;  --P/E contacted the Commercial Farmers Union for information  and to determine whether Offer Letters contained relevant  information;  --The Country Team considered requesting information formally  from the GOZ as would be done during an RSO or Consular  investigation.    ¶2.  (C) Of the above sources, the UK Embassy has the greatest  potential for biographical information because of the large  number of Zimbabweans living in the UK, the large number of  Zimbabweans attending school there, and frequent travel of  Zimbabweans to the UK.  The UK Embassy initially told us it  could furnish information subject to our guarantee that the  source would not be revealed as a diplomatic mission.  The UK  Embassy subsequently informed us, however, that it had been  told by the UK Foreign Office that British law prohibited  disclosure of the requested information, even if the source  would be protected.  The UK Embassy was sympathetic to our  request and has suggested our embassy in London pursue it  with the FCO.    ¶3.  (C) We requested SDI information from the Australian  Embassy in Harare.  The Australian ambassador told us he  would recommend to his ministry release of information in its  possession subject to approval by Canberra.  As of September  28, the Australian Embassy had not received approval.  We  will follow up next week.    ¶4.  (C) Except for those targets who have applied for visas,  the only way (other than the Internet where we have found  little information) to obtain birth data is through the  central government registrar's office.  The Consular Section  and RSO have routinely requested records from this office,  for example when seeking information on nominees for the  International Visitor Program or when doing background checks  on prospective employees.  We have always had to provide a  detailed justification for the request; we would be unable to  provide such justification in requesting information on SDIs.   Moreover, given the prominence of the persons in question,  it would be impossible for Post to fabricate a justification  without raising suspicion and ending cooperation.    ¶5.  (C) We have attempted to obtain relationship information  from FSNs.  If the FSNs do not have the information  themselves, they have attempted to obtain it from others.  Unfortunately, the names are so prominent that our FSN's  interlocutors--even if sympathetic--recognized the reason for  the inquiry and felt it too risky to comply.    ¶6.  (C) Post found no reference to family members in  newspaper articles.  Births are never announced for cultural  reasons; articles about high-ranking officials almost never  make reference to family members.    ¶7.  (C) When obtained, we have indicated family  relationships, birthdates and sources of information.  For  several children, we have indicated U.S. universities  attended in the U.S. in the event the Department wishes to  seek school or drivers license records.  ¶8.  (S/NF)  Targeted individuals    Bonyongwe, Happyton Mabhuya, CIO director  DOB:  November 6, 1960 Internet (confirmed by Embassy visa  files)    Chigwedere, Lillian: Spouse of Aeneas Chigwedere  Confimation of family relationship:  DOB:    Chihuri, Isobel Halima:  Spouse of Augustine Chihuri  Confirmation of family relationship: (from Embassy Vvsa files)  DOB:  April 14, 1974 (from Embassy visa files)    Chihuri, Joni:  Daughter of Augustine Chihuri  Confirmation of family relationship: (from Embassy visa files)  DOB:  April 6, 1978 (from Embassy Visa files)    Chihuri, Ocious Pelonsic: Daughter of Augustine Chihuri  Confirmation of family relationship:  Internet (confirmed by  Embassy visa files)  DOB: December 14, 1983 (U.S. university records) (confirmed  by Embassy visa files)    Chihuri, Ruawage: Son of Augustine Chihuri  Confirmation of family relationship:  Australian Ambassador  DOB:    Chinamasa, Chengatai: Son of Patrick Chinamasa  Confirmation of family relationship:  FSN (confirmed by  Embassy visa files)  DOB: October 25, 1984 (U.S. university records) (confirmed by  Embassy visa files)    Chinamasa, Kangai: Daughter of Patrick Chinamasa  Confirmation of family relationship: FSN (confirmed by  Embassy visa files)  DOB:  June 30, 1980 (from U.S. university records) (confirmed  by Embassy visa files)    Chinamasa, Tinotenda: Son of Patrick Chinamasa  Confirmation of family relationship: FSN (confirmed by  Embassy visa files)  DOB: August 29, 1982 (from U.S. University records)  (confirmed by Embassy visa files)    Chombo, Rudo:  Confirmation of family relationship:  Internet  DOB:    Chombo, Thelma:  Confirmation of family relationship:  Internet (Note:  Ignatius Chombo denied to The Standard newspaper that Thelma  Chombo is his daughter)  DOB:    Dabengwa, Zodwa: Spouse of Dumiso Dabengwa  Confirmation of family relationship:  DOB:    Jangara, Thomsen Toddie: ZRP Chief Superintendent for Harare  South  Justification:  He was responsible for a ban on protests  issued in February that prevented the MDC and civil society  from organizing.  This decree was part of a concerted GOZ  effort to suppress political activity directed against the  government.  The GOZ selectively used the Public Order and  Security Act against democratic elements of Zimbabwe to  eliminate its opposition.  While the GOZ claimed that the  opposition committed anti-government violence in justifying  such decrees, these allegations were fabricated by the  government and were proven to be completely false when the  court later dismissed the cases brought against the  opposition activists who had been accused of committing the  alleged acts of violence.  The government has frequently  fabricated incidents of violence attributed to the  opposition, and publicized these allegations in  government-controlled media.  DOB:    Karimanzira, Rungano Priscilla: Spouse of David Karimanzira  Confirmation of family relationship:  DOB:    Kaskuwere, Barbara:  Wife of Saviour Kaskuwere  Confirmation of family relationship:  FSN  DOB:    Kechik, Dr. Mahmood Awang  DOB:    Peter Lesabe:  Spouse of Thenjiwe Lesabe  Deceased:  FSN    Mabunda, Musavengana: Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP)  Assistant Commissioner  Justification:  The Law and Order Unit of the ZRP is infamous  for targeting the opposition and organizing arrests,  abductions, torture, and other mistreatment of MDC and civil  society members.  As the Assistant Commissioner of the Law  and Order Unit, Mabunda has had primary responsibility for  the work of the Unit.  On March 11 a number of MDC leaders  were arrested and severely beaten in police custody.  The  released prisoners were immediately taken to the hospital for  treatment of serious injuries they sustained at the hands of  the police.  The international media photographically  recorded the extent of these injuries.  These leaders were  released several days later and no cases have been prosecuted  against them.  Given his position, Mabunda was certainly  aware of post-March 11 beatings and very likely directed  them.  In April, May, and June, over 30 opposition activists  were arrested, detained, and mistreated.  The Law and Order  Unit is believed to have been involved in the targeting of  these individuals.  All were eventually released, some having  spent several months in custody.  Another incident of  brutality occured on July 25, when police beat hundreds of  democratic activists peacefully demonstrating in favor of a  new constitution.  Many civil society leaders were severely  beaten, suffering broken bones and other injuries.  Again,  the Law and Order Unit is believed to have been involved.    DOB:    Mada, Ishmael: Central Intelligence Organization (CIO),  internal branch  Justification:  Mada heads a CIO internal branch team charged  with targeting the MDC for arrest, abduction, and torture.  On March 11 a number of MDC leaders were arrested and  severely beaten in police custody.  The CIO worked with the  Law and Order Unit of the ZRP in targeting the democratic  opposition for arrest and are believed to have participated  in the beatings.  The released prisoners went immediately to  the hospital for treatment of serious injuries they sustained  at the hands of the police.  These leaders were released  several days later and no cases have been prosecuted against  them.  The international media photographically recorded the  extent of these injuries.  Given his position, Mada was  certainly aware of the post-March 11 beatings and very likely  directed them.  Another similar incident of brutality occured  on July 25, when police beat hundreds of democratic activists  peacefully demonstrating in favor of a new constitution.  Many civil society leaders were severely beaten, suffering  broken bones and other injuries.  The CIO is believed to have  been involved in this incident as well.  DOB:  September 23, 1958 (from GRPO files)    Malinga, Ronia: Spouse of Joshua Malinga  Confirmation of family relationship:  DOB:    Manyika, Allan Munyaradzi:  son of Elliot Manyika  DOB:  June 23, 1986 (from U.S. university records (confirmed  by Embassy visa files)    Manyika, Belinda:  daughter of Elliot Manyika  DOB:  March 19, 1979 (from U.S. university records)  (confirmed by Embassy Visa files)    Manyika, Joan: Daughter of Elliott Manyika  Confirmation of family relationship:  DOB:    Manyika, Linda: Daughter of Elliott Manyika  Confirmation of family relationship:  DOB:    Manyika, Maureen: Daughter of Elliott Manyika  Confirmation of family relationship:  DOB:    Manyika, Ronald: Son of Elliott Manyika  Confirmation of family relationship:  DOB:    Manyonda, Elizabeth: Spouse of Kenneth Manyonda  Confirmation of family relationship:  DOB:    Matshalaga, Neddy: Spouse of Obert Matshalaga  Confirmation of family relationship:  DOB:    Midzi, Hilda Alice: Spouse of Amos Midzi  Confirmation of family relationship:  DOB:    Mugabe, Leo: Son of Sabina Mugabe  Confirmation of family relationship:  FSN  DOB:  February 28, 1959 (from Embassy visa files); (Note:  this DOB differs from that furnished by AF/S, derived from  Internet)    Mugabe, Bellarmine Chattunga: Son of Robert Mugabe  Confirmation of family relationship: Embassy education  contact (confirmed by Embassy visa files)  DOB:  May 26, 1997 (from Embassy visa files)    Mugabe, Bona Nyepudzai Ouma: Daughter of Robert Mugabe  Confirmation of family relationship: Embassy education  contact (confirmed by Embassy visa files)  DOB:  April 16, 1989 (from Embassy visa files)    Mugabe, Robert Tinotenda: Son of Robert Mugabe  Confirmation of family relationship: Embassy education  contact (confirmed by Embassy visa files)  DOB:  February 4, 1992 (from Embassy visa files)    Mutasa, Gertrude: Spouse of Didymus Mutasa  Confirmation of family relationship:  DOB:    Muvuti, Samuel Tendi: Head of Grain Marketing Board  Justification:  As the head of the Grain Marketing Board,  Muvuti has been responsible for directing the allocation of  food to affect voting behavior.  Much of rural Zimbabwe has  suffered food shortages over the past seven years.  During  elections in 2002 and 2005, the GMB provided food to villages  with the threat of withholding it if the village did not vote  for Mugabe and other ZANU-PF candidates.  Likewise, the GMB  refused to send food to areas known to support the  opposition.  The use of food has been an effective tool of  the Mugabe regime in obtaining votes illegally.  DOB:  July 6, 1957 Internet (confirmed by Embassy visa files)    Muzariri, Livingston Menard: CIO Deputy Director  Justification:  As CIO Deputy Director, he has full knowledge  of all CIO activities, including abductions, arrests, and  torture of the opposition.  The CIO is believed to be  involved with, and in many cases to have directed, the ZRP in  these activities.  On March 11 a number of MDC leaders were  arrested and severely beaten in police custody.  The CIO  worked with the ZRP in targeting the democratic opposition  for arrest and are believed to have participated in the  beatings.  The released prisoners went immediately to the  hospital for treatment of serious injuries they sustained at  the hands of the police.  These leaders were released several  days later and no cases have been prosecuted against them.  The international media photographically recorded the extent  of these injuries.  Given his position, Muzariri was  certainly aware of the beatings and very likely directed  them.  Another similar incident of brutality occured on July  25, when police beat hundreds of democratic activists  peacefully demonstrating in favor of a new constitution.  Many civil society leaders were severely beaten, suffering  broken bones and other injuries.  The CIO is believed to have  been involved in this incident as well.  DOB:  August 8, 1955 (from GRPO files)    Sadzamari, Tsitsi:  ZRP Chief Superintendent for Mbare  Justification:  Sadzamari is a police official identified as  organizing and playing a central role in intimidation of the  MDC.  She was responsible for a ban on protests issued on  February 23 that prevented the MDC and civil society from  organizing.  This decree was part of a concerted GOZ effort  to suppress political activity directed against the  government.  The GOZ selectively used the Public Order and  Security Act against democratic elements of Zimbabwe to  eliminate its opposition.  While the GOZ claimed that the  opposition committed anti-government violence in justifying  such decrees, these allegations were fabricated by the  government and were proven to be completely false when the  court later dismissed the cases brought against the  opposition activists who had been accused of committing the  alleged acts of violence.  The government has frequently  fabricated incidents of violence attributed to the  opposition, and publicized these allegations in  government-controlled media.  DOB:    Shamuyarira, Dorothy Mabel:  Spouse of Nathan Shamuyarira  Confirmation of family relationship:  DOB:    Sibanda, Phillip:  Commander of Zimbabwean Republic Army  Justification:  Sibanda as head of one of the two branches of  the Zimbabwean defense forces, is a member of the Joint  Operations Command (JOC) which is a policy-making body and  the chief operational body in Zimbabwe.  The JOC, if it was  not in on the planning of the March 11 brutal repression of  MDC leaders, undoubtedly was knowledgeable.  Such acts of  violence, harrassment, and intimidation, have undermined  Zimbabwe's democratic institutions in order the maintain the  authoritarian Mugabe regime's hold on power.  Further, the  Army is the most powerful institution in Zimbabwe.  Without  its support, the regime could not maintain power.  DOB:  December 24, 1954  (from copy of passport in DAO files)    Taveesin, Nalinee:  Citizen of Thailand  DOB:  February 12, 1960 (from U.S. Embassy Bangkok)  (confirmed by DOS visa records)    Tayengwa, Isaac: ZRP Chief Superintendent for Harare Central  District  Justification:  Tayengwa is a police official identified as  organizing and playing a central role in intimidation of the  MDC.  He was responsible for a ban on protests issued on  February 23 that prevented the MDC and civil society from  organizing.  This decree was part of a concerted GOZ effort  to suppress political activity directed against the  government.  The GOZ selectively used the Public Order and  Security Act against democratic elements of Zimbabwe to  eliminate its opposition.  While the GOZ claimed that the  opposition committed anti-government violence in justifying  such decrees, these allegations were fabricated by the  government and were proven to be completely false when the  court later dismissed the cases brought against the  opposition activists who had been accused of committing the  alleged acts of violence.  The government has frequently  fabricated incidents of violence attributed to the  opposition, and publicized these allegations in  government-controlled media.  DOB:    Zharara, Ngwerume: ZRP Chief Superintendent for Harare  Suburban District  Justification: He was responsible for a ban on protests  issued on  February 21 that prevented the MDC and civil  society from organizing a political rally.  This decree was  part of a concerted GOZ effort to suppress political activity  directed against the government.  The GOZ selectively used  the Public Order and Security Act against democratic elements  of Zimbabwe to eliminate its opposition.  While the GOZ  claimed that the opposition committed anti-government  violence in justifying such decrees, these allegations were  fabricated by the government and were proven to be completely  false when the court later dismissed the cases brought  against the opposition activists who had been accused of  committing the alleged acts of violence.  The government has  frequently fabricated incidents of violence attributed to the  opposition, and publicized these allegations in  government-controlled media.  DOB:    ¶8.  (S/NF) Targeted entities    AuriJewel  700 Kinderkamack Rd.  Orodell, New Jersey  07649    390 Fifth Avenue, Suite 804  New York, NY    Jongwe Printing and Publishing Company  14 Austin Road  Harare, Zimbabwe    ZIDCO Holdings  88 Robert Mugabe Road  Harare, Zimbabawe    Grain Marketing Board  Dura Building  179-187 Samora Machel Avenue    ¶9.  (C) Post suggests the Department weigh the relative  merits of placememt of ZRP chief superintendents Jangara,  Sadzamari, and Zhahara on the OFAC list.  These individuals  came to light when their names were published in the  government press after they issued decrees banning  demonstrations.  They are mid-level officials who are not  involved in policy and who carried out orders.  We have no  evidence they have personally ordered violent conduct on the  part of the police.  Our concern, as expressed by our  Regional Security Officer, is that publication of the names  of these individuals as SDNs will jeopardize police  cooperation.  We currently receive limited but useful  cooperation from the ZRP in the protection of premises,  investigation of crimes against Embassy officers, and release  from custody of FSNs who have been arrested in police  dragnets.    ¶10.  (C) Post is open to further suggestions on additional  avenues of information collection of family relationships and  dates of birth given the contraints noted in paragraphs 4 and  ¶5.  DHANANI