Foreign Minister Stan Mudenge told the European Union that Zimbabwe was not happy with the arbitrary and unilateral manner in which it was making demands rather than seeking mutual consultations with Harare because this was a violation of the spirit of the partnership envisaged under the Cotonou Agreement.
“We believe that ‘demanding’ or ‘insisting’ on the sending EU observers to observe our presidential elections is not consistent with the spirit of the Cotonou Agreement. To impose time frames in which this must be done is imperious and contrary to the spirit of partnership,” he said.
Mudenge was responding to an ultimatum that the EU had given to Zimbabwe.
He said even the imposition of sanctions on Zimbabwe was against the spirit of the Cotonou Agreement because they did not promote the partnership.
Mudenge said the EU should also not view violence as one sided, only being perpetrated by the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front. The opposition was equally to blame.
He complained that some members of the EU were opening funding the opposition and Zimbabwe had raised this concern.
Two EU ambassadors to Zimbabwe described Mudenge’s letter as “rubbish” and “garbage”.
Full cable:
Viewing cable 02HARARE204, LAST-MINUTE GOZ RESPONSE TO EU ULTIMATUM
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
221401Z Jan 02
CONFIDENTIAL PTQ9309
PAGE 01 HARARE 00204 01 OF 04 221423Z
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/002W
——————5B33A9 221424Z /38
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0760
INFO SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PRIORITY
NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 HARARE 000204
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF, A/S KANSTEINER AND DAS BELLAMY; ALSO FOR
AF/S
NSC FOR SENIOR DIRECTOR FRAZER
PARIS FOR NEARY
LONDON FOR GURNEY
STATE PLEASE PASS TO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/12
SUBJECT: LAST-MINUTE GOZ RESPONSE TO EU ULTIMATUM
FALLS SHORT OF THE MARK, EU DIPLOMATS STATE
CLASSIFIED BY DCM REWHITEHEAD DUE TO 1.5 (B) AND (D).
¶1. (C) THE GOZ SUBMITTED A LETTER FROM FOREIGN MINISTER
MUDENGE TO THE EU IN HARARE AT 8:00 P.M. ON JANUARY 18,
JUST HOURS BEFORE EXPIRATION OF THE ONE-WEEK DEADLINE
IMPOSED BY THE EU DURING ITS JANUARY 11 ARTICLE 96
CONSULTATIONS WITH A MUDENGE-LED GOZ DELEGATION. THE
LETTER WAS NOT SIGNED BY MUDENGE, WHO WAS ABSENT FROM
ZIMBABWE WHEN THE LETTER WAS DELIVERED. BRITISH HIGH
COMMISSIONER DONNELLY AND SWEDISH COUNSELOR FOUM
PROVIDED COPIES OF THE LETTER AND THEIR COMMENTS TO DCM
ON JANUARY 21. THEY CHARACTERIZED THE LETTER AS
“RUBBISH” AND “GARBAGE”, RESPECTIVELY, AND LISTED THE
FOLLOWING SHORTCOMINGS.
¶2. (C) ON THE QUESTION OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE, THE
LETTER CITED RECENT PUBLIC STATEMENTS BY MUGABE, VARIOUS
MINISTERS, AND THE ZIMBABWEAN COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
CRITICAL OF VIOLENCE — AND ALSO THE GOZ’S AGREEMENT IN
BLANTYRE TO LAUNCH A PEACE CAMPAIGN — AS EVIDENCE OF
THE GOZ’S GOOD FAITH. THE LETTER ALSO STATED THAT THE
GOZ “IS READY TO CONSIDER” A PROPOSAL TO SEEK AGREEMENT
(WITH THE OPPOSITION) ON AN ELECTORAL CODE OF CONDUCT.
ON ELECTIONS, THE LETTER CLAIMS THAT THE AMENDED
ELECTORAL LAW STRENGTHENS THE ELECTORAL SUPERVISORY
COMMISSION AND, THOUGH NOT STATED, PRESUMABLY OBVIATES
THE NEED FOR AN INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION. THE
LETTER CONFIRMS THAT THE GOZ PLANS TO INVITE NATIONAL,
REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS, THE LATTER DRAWN
FROM THE ACP/EU, SADC, OAU/AU, COMMONWEALTH, AND THE
UNITED NATIONS. THERE IS NO MENTION OF A START-UP DATE
OR WHEN FORMAL INVITATIONS WILL BE DELIVERED.
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 HARARE 00204 01 OF 04 221423Z
¶3. (C) THE MUDENGE LETTER NEXT ADDRESSES FREEDOM OF THE
MEDIA, CLAIMING THAT THE EXISTENCE OF A “VIGOROUS AND
COMBATIVE” PRIVATE MEDIA ILLUSTRATES THE FREEDOM OF THE
PRESS. IT ATTACKS TWO “PRO-MDC SHORT-WAVE RADIO STATION
…BEAMING INCITING, ANTI-ZIMBABWE PROPAGANDA…FROM THE
UNITED KINGDOM AND THE NETHERLANDS” AND QUOTES THE
JANUARY 14 COMMUNIQUE FROM SADC LEADERS EXPRESSING
CONCERN OVER THIS ISSUE. THIS SECTION OF THE LETTER
AFFIRMS THE GOZ PRACTICE OF LETTING INTERNATIONAL
CORRESPONDENTS COVER NATIONAL EVENTS “ON THE BASIS OF
(GOZ) LAWS AND REGULATIONS.” THE LETTER REJECTS
ALLEGATIONS THAT THE GOZ HAS INTERFERED WITH THE
JUDICIARY AND CLAIMS THAT NO FURTHER ILLEGAL FARM
OCCUPATION HAS TAKEN PLACE SINCE THE CONCLUSION OF THE
ABUJA AGREEMENT ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2001. THE DOCUMENT
CONCLUDES WITH A LENGTHY EXPRESSION OF GOZ CONCERN OVER
THE ARBITRARY AND UNILATERAL APPROACH THE EU HAS TAKEN,
AND CALLS FOR FURTHER DIALOGUE.
¶4. (C) EU AMBASSADORS MET ON JANUARY 19 TO DRAFT A
COMMON RESPONSE TO MUDENGE’S LETTER, TO BE CLEARED WITH
THEIR CAPITALS. FOUM, WHO ATTENDED THIS MEETING,
OFFERED TO PASS US A COPY WHEN IT IS IN FINAL. HE NOTED
THAT THE DATE OF THE JANUARY 28 GENERAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL
COINCIDES WITH THE SIX-WEEK PERIOD IDENTIFIED BY THE EU
AS THE MINIMUM TIME NECESSARY FOR ELECTION OBSERVATION.
HE SAID THAT IF THE GOZ CONTINUES ITS FOOT-DRAGGING, HE
BELIEVES THAT THE GAC COULD CONSIDER TAKING ACTION ON
SOME STILL UNSPECIFIED SANCTIONS.
¶5. (C) COMMENT. THERE IS STILL NO CONSENSUS ON WHAT
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 HARARE 00204 01 OF 04 221423Z
COMES NEXT AMONG EU DIPLOMATS HERE, ALTHOUGH THERE IS A
NEAR UNANIMOUS AGREEMENT THAT THE GOZ IS NOT ACTING IN
GOOD FAITH AND THAT GOZ RHETORIC HAS DONE LITTLE TO CURB
ONGOING VIOLENCE. THE SAMPLING OF EU DIPLOMATS WITH
WHOM WE HAVE SPOKEN PREDICT THAT THE JANUARY 28 GAC MAY
WELL BE PIVOTAL, AND CONTINUED USG CONSULTATION WITH EU
STATES WILL BE IMPORTANT DURING THE INTERVENING PERIOD.
END COMMENT.
¶6. (SBU) BEGIN TEXT OF MUDENGE LETTER:
18 JANUARY 2002
THE HONORABLE JOSEP PIQUE
PRESIDENT OF THE GENERAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF THE EU
MR. PRESIDENT
I HAVE THE HONOR TO WRITE TO YOU AS A FOLLOW-UP TO THE
FIRST ROUND OF THE ZIMBABWE-EU CONSULTATIONS HELD IN
BRUSSELS ON 11 JANUARY 2002.
NOTE: NOT PASSED TO ABOVE ADDRESSEE(S)
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL PTQ9311
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ACTION AF-00
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NFAT-00 SAS-00 /002W
——————5B33B8 221424Z /38
O 221401Z JAN 02
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0761
INFO SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PRIORITY
NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 04 HARARE 000204
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF, A/S KANSTEINER AND DAS BELLAMY; ALSO FOR
AF/S
NSC FOR SENIOR DIRECTOR FRAZER
PARIS FOR NEARY
LONDON FOR GURNEY
STATE PLEASE PASS TO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/12
SUBJECT: LAST-MINUTE GOZ RESPONSE TO EU ULTIMATUM
FALLS SHORT OF THE MARK, EU DIPLOMATS STATE
I WISH TO RECALL THAT WHILE ZIMBABWE ADDRESSED A NUMBER
OF EU CONCERNS DURING THE CONSULTATIONS, WE ALSO RAISED
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 HARARE 00204 02 OF 04 221424Z
THREE MAJOR CONCERNS ON WHICH WE EARNESTLY EXPECT A
RESPONSE FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION.
I SUBMIT, IN THIS LETTER, A CONCISE SURVEY OF THE
PRINCIPAL POINTS COVERED DURING THE CONSULTATIONS, IN
PARTICULAR ZIMBABWE’S ACTIONS AND COMMITMENTS ON THOSE
ISSUES. I ALSO OUTLINE THE CONCERNS RAISED BY THE
GOVERNMENT OF ZIMBABWE WITH REGARD TO THE CONDUCT OF THE
EUROPEAN UNION AND CERTAIN OF ITS MEMBER STATES, AND HOW
SUCH CONDUCT HAS NOT HELPED PROMOTE THE PARTNERSHIP
ENVISAGED IN THE ACP-EU PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT.
POLITICAL VIOLENCE
THE GOVERNMENT OF ZIMBABWE IS AGAINST VIOLENCE, AND WILL
CONTINUE TO DO ITS UTMOST TO BRING THIS PHENOMENON TO A
STOP. AS I WRITE TO YOU, HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT
ROBERT MUGABE AND HIS GOVERNMENT, AND LAW AND ORDER
ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES ARE CONSTANTLY AND PUBLICLY
APPEALING AGAINST VIOLENCE, AND FOR A PEACEFUL CAMPAIGN
IN THE RUN-UP TO THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. I ATTACH,
FOR YOUR REFERENCE, A COPY OF A STATEMENT MADE RECENTLY
BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AS PART OF THE CAMPAIGN
AGAINST VIOLENCE.
THE POLICE COMMISSIONER’S “BRIEFING ON POLICING AND THE
RULE OF LAW IN ZIMBABWE”, WHICH I SUBMITTED AS A
CONFERENCE DOCUMENT DURING THE CONSULTATIONS,
DEMONSTRATES MOST AMPLY ZIMBABWE’S COMMITMENT TO
INVESTIGATE FULLY AND IMPARTIALLY ALL CASES OF ALLEGED
POLITICAL VIOLENCE.
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 HARARE 00204 02 OF 04 221424Z
WITH REGARD TO POLITICALLY MOTIVATED VIOLENCE, WE TAKE
EXCEPTION TO CRITICISM LEVELED ONLY AGAINST THE RULING
PARTY, AS IF TO SUGGEST THAT VIOLENCE BY THE OPPOSITION
IS CONDONED. SUCH A PARTISAN STANCE FUELS VIOLENCE IN
OUR SOCIETY AND IS THEREFORE MOST UNHELPFUL. WE,
THEREFORE, URGE THE EU TO TAKE A BALANCED APPROACH AND
CONDEMN VIOLENCE FROM WHATEVER QUARTER IT COMES.
AS WE MADE CLEAR DURING THE CONSULTATIONS, THE
GOVERNMENT OF ZIMBABWE IS PURSUING THE SADC PROPOSAL TO
PROMOTE INCLUSIVE POLITICAL DIALOGUE. AT THEIR RECENT
SUMMIT IN BLANTYRE, MALAWI, SADC LEADERS “NOTED WITH
APPRECIATION THE COMMITMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF
ZIMBABWE TO LAUNCH A PEACE CAMPAIGN THAT WOULD INCLUDE
THE OPPOSITION AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS”.
THE GOVERNMENT OF ZIMBABWE IS READY TO CONSIDER THE
PROPOSAL TO SEEK AGREEMENT ON AND PROMOTE A CODE OF
CONDUCT FOR ALL THE POLITICAL PARTIES. GOVERNMENT HAS
ALREADY APPROACHED THE ELECTORAL SUPERVISORY COMMISSION
TO LAY THE GROUNDWORK IN CONSULTATION WITH ALL POLITICAL
PARTIES.
ELECTIONS
HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT ROBERT MUGABE HAS GIVEN
ASSURANCES THAT THE FORTHCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
SCHEDULED FOR 9 AND 10 MARCH 2002 WILL BE FREE AND FAIR.
AT THEIR BLANTYRE SUMMIT ON 14 JANUARY 2002, SADC
LEADERS “WELCOMED THE ASSURANCES BY PRESIDENT MUGABE
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 HARARE 00204 02 OF 04 221424Z
THAT THE FORTHCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS SCHEDULED
FOR 9 AND 10 MARCH 2002 WILL BE FREE AND FAIR. SUMMIT
NOTED THE STEPS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT
OF ZIMBABWE TO ENSURE THE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE
MANAGEMENT OF THE ELECTIONS”.
IN LINE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION OF
ZIMBABWE, THE ELECTORAL SUPERVISORY COMMISSION HAS THE
PREROGATIVE AND MANDATE TO MONITOR ELECTIONS IN
ZIMBABWE. THROUGH THE RECENT AMENDMENTS TO THE
ELECTORAL LAW, THE GOVERNMENT HAS STRENGTHENED THE
ELECTORAL SUPERVISORY COMMISSION, AND PROVIDED
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO ENABLE IT TO CARRY OUT ITS
CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY.
I CAN CONFIRM THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS INVITING NATIONAL,
REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OBSERVERS FROM
GOVERNMENTS, INCLUDING THOSE OF ACP/EU MEMBERS STATES,
AS WELL AS FROM REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
SUCH AS SADC, OAU(AU), COMMONWEALTH AND THE UNITED
NATIONS.
NOTE: NOT PASSED TO ABOVE ADDRESSEE(S)
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL PTQ9312
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ACTION AF-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AMAD-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 DODE-00 DS-00
VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 VCE-00 M-00 NSAE-00 SSO-00
SS-00 DSCC-00 DRL-02 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /002W
——————5B33C4 221424Z /38
O 221401Z JAN 02
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0762
INFO SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PRIORITY
NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 04 HARARE 000204
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF, A/S KANSTEINER AND DAS BELLAMY; ALSO FOR
AF/S
NSC FOR SENIOR DIRECTOR FRAZER
PARIS FOR NEARY
LONDON FOR GURNEY
STATE PLEASE PASS TO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/12
SUBJECT: LAST-MINUTE GOZ RESPONSE TO EU ULTIMATUM
FALLS SHORT OF THE MARK, EU DIPLOMATS STATE
FREEDOM OF THE MEDIA
THE GOVERNMENT OF ZIMBABWE IS COMMITTED TO UPHOLDING
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 HARARE 00204 03 OF 04 221424Z
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, AS GUARANTEED IN THE CONSTITUTION
OF ZIMBABWE. IT SHOULD BE ACKNOWLEDGED BY ALL FAIR-
MINDED OBSERVERS THAT THE EXISTENCE OF A VIGOROUS AND
COMBATIVE PRIVATELY OWNED MEDIA IN ZIMBABWE, WHICH IS
PARTLY FOREIGN OWNED AND FINANCED, ILLUSTRATES THE
FREEDOM ENJOYED BY NEWSPAPERS IN THE COUNTRY.
DURING ELECTION CAMPAIGNS, ZIMBABWE’S PUBLIC MEDIA
ACCORDS EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, THAT IS, EQUAL AIRTIME TO ALL
CONTESTING POLITICAL PARTIES. WHAT IS OF CONCERN TO
ZIMBABWE IS THAT SINCE DECEMBER LAST YEAR, TWO PRO-MDC
SHORT-WAVE RADIO STATIONS HAVE BEEN BEAMING INCITING,
ANTI-ZIMBABWE PROPAGANDA AND PRO-MDC MESSAGES FROM THE
UNITED KINGDOM AND THE NETHERLANDS. THIS CONSTITUTES
GROSS INTERFERENCE IN OUR INTERNAL AFFAIRS. WE APPEAL
TO THE EU TO PREVAIL UPON THESE TWO OF THEIR MEMBERS TO
DESIST FROM THIS PROVOCATIVE AND HOSTILE ACTIVITY
FORTHWITH, OTHERWISE ASKING ZIMBABWE TO ENSURE EQUAL
TIME IN THE PUBLIC MEDIA TO ALL POLITICAL PARTIES WOULD
BE INTERPRETED AS CYNICAL AND HYPOCRITICAL.
IN THEIR COMMUNIQUE’ OF 14 JANUARY 2002, SADC LEADERS
“EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE FACT THAT SOME WESTERN
COUNTRIES HAVE AUTHORIZED THE BROADCASTING FROM THEIR
TERRITORIES BY THEIR NATIONALS OF HOSTILE AND INCITING
PROPAGANDA AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF
ZIMBABWE”. THE SUMMIT CALLED ON THOSE COUNTRIES TO
DESIST FROM SUCH ACTIONS.
ZIMBABWE FURTHER REAFFIRMS ITS PRACTICE OF ALLOWING
JOURNALISTS, BOTH NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL, TO COVER
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 HARARE 00204 03 OF 04 221424Z
IMPORTANT NATIONAL EVENTS, INCLUDING ELECTIONS, ON THE
BASIS OF ITS LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY
GOVERNMENT UPHOLDS THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY.
SECTION 84 OF THE CONSTITUTION VESTS IN THE PRESIDENT
THE POWER TO APPOINT JUDGES IN CONSULTATION WITH THE
JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION. PARLIAMENT MUST BE
INFORMED OF JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS WHICH ARE NOT
CONSISTENT WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE JUDICIAL
SERVICE COMMISSION. SUCH A SITUATION HAS NOT ARISEN IN
ZIMBABWE IN 21 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE. THEREFORE,
ALLEGATIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE INTERFERING WITH THE
JUDICIARY ARE NOT ONLY ILL FOUNDED BUT ALSO MALICIOUS AS
THEY LACK SUBSTANCE.
CONTRARY TO FALSEHOODS BEING WIDELY PROPAGATED BY THE
ANTI-ZIMBABWE MEDIA, THERE IS NO DECISION OF THE
JUDICIARY THAT REMAINS UNIMPLEMENTED BY MY GOVERNMENT.
ILLEGAL OCCUPATION OF PROPERTIES
THERE IS NO MORE ILLEGAL OCCUPATION OF FARMS OR ANY
PROPERTIES, AS THERE HAVE BEEN NO FRESH FARM OCCUPATIONS
SINCE THE ABUJA CONSULTATIONS WERE REACHED ON 6
SEPTEMBER 2001. MOMENTUM HAS BEEN MAINTAINED IN THE
MOVEMENT OF OCCUPIERS OF UNDESIGNATED FARMS ONTO LEGALLY
ACQUIRED LAND.
ZIMBABWE’S CONCERNS
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 HARARE 00204 03 OF 04 221424Z
IT WILL BE RECALLED THAT THE DELEGATION OF ZIMBABWE
RAISED THREE CONCERNS WITH THE EU, NAMELY: POLITICAL
INTERFERENCE IN THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF ZIMBABWE; THE
NATURE OF PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN ZIMBABWE AND THE EU; AND
INFORMAL SANCTIONS IMPOSED BY CERTAIN EU MEMBER STATES.
CERTAIN EU MEMBER STATES, IN PARTICULAR BRITAIN, HAVE
FUNDED OPPOSITION PARTIES, PARTICULARLY THE MDC,
INCLUDING FOR CAMPAIGNING IN THE RUN-UP TO THE
FORTHCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. SUCH ACTION CLEARLY
CONSTITUTES BLATANT INTERFERENCE IN THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS
OF ZIMBABWE, AND REMOVES THE MORAL GROUNDS FOR THE
VIOLATING STATES TO CLAIM A ROLE AS NEUTRAL OBSERVERS IN
ZIMBABWE’S ELECTIONS. IN ADDITION, SINCE DECEMBER LAST
YEAR, TWO PRO-MDC SHORT-WAVE RADIO STATIONS HAVE BEEN
BEAMING ANTI-ZIMBABWE PROPAGANDA AND PRO-MDC MESSAGES
FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE NETHERLANDS. THIS HAS
GIVEN AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE TO THE MDC AND CONSTITUTES
GROSS INTERFERENCE IN OUR INTERNAL AFFAIRS. WE APPEAL
TO THE EU TO PREVAIL ON THESE TWO MEMBERS TO DESIST FROM
NOTE: NOT PASSED TO ABOVE ADDRESSEE(S)
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL PTQ9310
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ACTION AF-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AMAD-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 USNW-00 DODE-00
DS-00 VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 VCE-00 M-00
NSAE-00 SSO-00 SS-00 DSCC-00 DRL-02 NFAT-00 SAS-00
/002W
——————5B33C8 221424Z /38
O 221401Z JAN 02
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0763
INFO SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PRIORITY
NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 04 OF 04 HARARE 000204
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF, A/S KANSTEINER AND DAS BELLAMY; ALSO FOR
AF/S
NSC FOR SENIOR DIRECTOR FRAZER
PARIS FOR NEARY
LONDON FOR GURNEY
STATE PLEASE PASS TO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/12
SUBJECT: LAST-MINUTE GOZ RESPONSE TO EU ULTIMATUM
FALLS SHORT OF THE MARK, EU DIPLOMATS STATE
THIS PROVOCATIVE ACTIVITY FORTHWITH, OTHERWISE ASKING
ZIMBABWE TO ENSURE EQUAL TIME IN THE PUBLIC MEDIA TO ALL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 HARARE 00204 04 OF 04 221424Z
POLITICAL PARTIES WOULD BE INTERPRETED AS CYNICAL AND
HYPOCRITICAL.
THE ARBITRARY AND UNILATERAL MANNER IN WHICH THE EU
MOVED THE DIALOGUE WITH ZIMBABWE FROM ARTICLE 8 TO
ARTICLE 96 PROVISIONS, AS WELL AS THE MAKING OF DEMANDS
RATHER THAN SEEKING MUTUAL CONSULTATIONS ARE, IN OUR
VIEW, A VIOLATION OF THE SPIRIT OF THE PARTNERSHIP
ENVISAGED IN THE COTONOU AGREEMENT. WE BELIEVE THAT
“DEMANDING” OR “INSISTING” ON THE SENDING OF EU
OBSERVERS TO OBSERVE OUR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IS NOT
CONSISTENT WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE COTONOU AGREEMENT. TO
IMPOSE TIME FRAMES IN WHICH THIS MUST BE DONE IS
IMPERIOUS AND CONTRARY TO THE SPIRIT OF PARTNERSHIP. IF
OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE COTONOU AGREEMENT ON THESE
PARTICULAR POINTS IS DEEMED TO BE INCORRECT, THEN WE
WOULD BE READY FOR A DETERMINATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT.
INFORMAL SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON ZIMBABWE BY CERTAIN EU
MEMBER STATES DO NOT PROMOTE THE CO-OPERATION AND
PARTNERSHIP ENVISAGED UNDER THE COTONOU AGREEMENT, WHOSE
THRUST INCLUDES TRADE, AND DEVELOPMENT CO-OPERATION. IN
THE SPIRIT OF PARTNERSHIP, I REQUEST YOU TO ASK THOSE
COUNTRIES THAT HAVE IMPOSED THESE INFORMAL SANCTIONS TO
DROP THEM. SUCH A REVERSAL WOULD FURTHER PROMOTE AN
ATMOSPHERE CONDUCIVE FOR A PEACEFUL, FREE AND FAIR
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
MR. PRESIDENT, IT IS PERTINENT THAT I POINT OUT THAT OUR
DIALOGUE IS NOT LIMITED TO WRITTEN COMMUNICATION AND
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PAGE 03 HARARE 00204 04 OF 04 221424Z
DOCUMENTATION. IT IS MY EXPECTATION THAT WE WILL KEEP
ALL LINES AND FORMS OF COMMUNICATION OPEN BETWEEN US IN
THE SPIRIT AND LETTER OF THE RELATIONS WE SHARE UNDER
THE ACP-EU PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT. I ENCLOSE A
COMMUNIQUE’ OF A RECENT SADC SUMMIT AT WHICH SOME OF THE
ISSUES COVERED IN THIS LETTER WERE ALSO ADDRESSED.
ACCEPT, MR. PRESIDENT, THE ASSURANCES OF MY HIGHEST
ESTEEM.
ISG MUDENGE
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE
END TEXT.
SULLIVAN
CONFIDENTIAL
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