MDC had lost hope in SADC

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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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

TAGS: PREL SF ZI

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

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