Robert Mugabe Wikileaks cables – Part Eighteen

April 2, 2008 must be one of the most unforgettable days for Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

A delegation from the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front had told him the day before that he had won the presidential elections held three days earlier, though the official results were not out yet.

His main rival, President Robert Mugabe, was ready to step down and handover power.

Mugabe was to address the nation conceding defeat before handing over the reins to Tsvangirai.

But nothing of the sort happened on 2 April as promised.

Not a word. Even to advise him that the plan had changed.

Tsvangirai told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee that Mugabe had requested an additional six months in office but the MDC rejected this.

He also wanted a government of national unity which the MDC said it was not opposed to in principle.

The MDC had requested ZANU-PF to provide a list of 10 names to consider for government positions.

The parties then agreed that Mugabe and Tsvangirai would meet on 2 April morning before a concession speech by Mugabe and a victory speech by Tsvangirai.

Tsvangirai did not hear a word from ZANU-PF but was told by an individual said to be a high-level ZANU-PF insider that Mugabe had rejected the offer.

ZANU-PF had instead advised Mugabe to prepare for a run-off which would be overseen by a committee comprising Didymus Mutasa, Nicholas Goche, Elliot Manyika and Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The run-off was marred by violence which forced Tsvangirai to pull out.

Below are the first 360 Wikileaks cables on Mugabe- 266 more to go

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