Prime Minister-designate Morgan Tsvangirai said he would tour the country talking to people about his and his Movement for Democratic Change’s goals and objectives during his first 100 days in office.
He told United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee that this would also serve to show donors that the MDC was taking concrete steps to move the new government forward.
He said the MDC had six core areas to address:
He said that MDC would develop detailed plans for each of these areas and there would be 30 and 60 day reviews.
Ed: All talk, but no action.
Full cable:
Viewing cable 08HARARE885, TSVANGIRAI OUTLINES 100 DAY PLAN
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Reference ID |
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VZCZCXRO5006
OO RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHSB #0885/01 2741423
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 301423Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3508
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUEHAR/AMEMBASSY ACCRA 2330
RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 2448
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 0962
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 1726
RUEHDK/AMEMBASSY DAKAR 2081
RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 2502
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 4934
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
RHMFISS/EUCOM POLAD VAIHINGEN GE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1597
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 HARARE 000885
SIPDIS
AF/S FOR B. WALCH
DRL FOR N. WILETT
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU
ADDIS ABABA FOR ACSS
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR E. LOKEN AND L. DOBBINS
STATE PASS TO NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR B. PITTMAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/30/2018
SUBJECT: TSVANGIRAI OUTLINES 100 DAY PLAN
Classified By: Ambassador James D. McGee for reason 1.4 (d)
——-
SUMMARY
——-
¶1. (C) In a September 29 meeting with the Ambassador, MDC
leader and prime minister designate Morgan Tsvangirai
outlined a plan for the new government’s first 100 days in
office. Tsvangirai also described plans for outreach to
include “listening tours” around the country and summits on
health, education, and investment. He would like to travel
to Rome to discuss the humanitarian situation with WFP, FAO,
and the Pope. To jump-start the new government, Tsvangirai
plans to request from donors a continuation of food
assistance, basic medicines, and help with water and
electricity. Tsvangirai said he expected to finalize the
power-sharing agreement with ZANU-PF and Mugabe by the end of
the week but would not be pushed into making unwise
concessions. END SUMMARY.
—————-
The 100-Day Plan
—————-
¶2. (C) Tsvangirai told the Ambassador an MDC strategy group
had defined six core areas for the new government to address.
These areas are:
1) food and humanitarian assistance;
2) stabilization;
3) freedom and human rights;
4) institutional reform;
5) basic services; and
6) international relations.
Tsvangirai said the MDC will develop detailed plans for each
of these areas. There will be 30 and 60 day reviews. He
acknowledged that although the MDC has a number of talented
people, it lacks technical expertise. He therefore plans to
seek technical assistance from the international community.
¶3. (C) Tsvangirai admitted that execution of the plan would
require cooperation from Mugabe and ZANU-PF. Therefore, once
it is completed, he plans to discuss it personally with
Mugabe and enlist his support. He also plans to present it
to Parliament.
¶4. (C) To secure cooperation from ZANU-PF, Tsvangirai said
he would attempt to work closely with the ministries. He
would meet as soon as possible with each ministry and set
forth his expectations. He would also hold a retreat with
all ministers and subsequently meet with them on a regular
basis.
——–
Outreach
——–
¶5. (C) Tsvangirai stated that he planned “listening tours”
around the country to talk about his and the MDC’s goals and
objectives. This would also serve to show donors the MDC was
taking concrete steps to move the new government forward.
¶6. (C) Additionally, Tsvangirai said the MDC would conduct
summits on health and education to bring together experts to
discuss these critical areas and how best to address them.
He also wanted to hold a conference for investors to present
investment opportunities.
¶7. (C) Finally, Tsvangirai told the Ambassador he would like
HARARE 00000885 002 OF 002
to travel to Rome to discuss the humanitarian situation with
the WFP, FAO, and the Pope. (NOTE: According to Tsvangirai,
he had applied for a diplomatic passport and been promised
its issuance this week. END NOTE.)
———-
Assistance
———-
¶8. (C) To establish his credibility and that of the new
government, Tsvangirai argued it would be important to
provide food, basic medicines, and water and electricity. He
would look to the international community for assistance in
these areas.
——————
A Final Agreement?
——————
¶9. (C) Tsvangirai was optimistic that an agreement would be
reached this week on outstanding issues, principal of which
is the allocation of ministries. He averred he would not be
pushed into a disadvantageous deal. If an agreement could
not be reached, assistance from Thabo Mbeki, SADC, or the AU
would be welcome. Tsvangirai said he had written to Mbeki
and thought he could be helpful because of his knowledge of
the issues; Mbeki’s participation was dependent on his
support from the new South African president. Tsvangirai
accepted the Ambassador’s suggestion that AU and Tanzanian
president Kikwete could be an effective mediator.
——-
COMMENT
——-
¶10. (C) Tsvangirai’s and the MDC’s plans for governance are
important, if ambitious. As Tsvangirai admits, the MDC,
which has never governed before, lacks technical capacity.
At the same time, assuming a final agreement, he may be
overly optimistic about his ability to direct the ministries,
particularly those with ZANU-PF ministers. Nevertheless, if
Tsvangirai is to have a chance, he needs to begin acting like
a prime minister and his plans are a step in that direction.
END COMMENT.
MCGEE
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