Tsvangirai said war veterans were no match for MDC youth

Full cable:

Viewing cable 03HARARE1058, MDC PLANS FOR JUNE 2 MASS ACTION

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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 HARARE 001058

SIPDIS

NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR J. FRAZER

LONDON FOR C. GURNEY

PARIS FOR C. NEARY

NAIROBI FOR T. PFLAUMER

DS/OP/AF

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/31/2013

TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR ASEC ZI

SUBJECT: MDC PLANS FOR JUNE 2 MASS ACTION

REF: HARARE 925

Classified By: Political Officer Audu Besmer for reasons 1.5 b/d

Summary:

——–

¶1. (C) On May 27 MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai briefed G8

mission representatives on the MDC's position vis-a-vis

various current issues, including plans for mass action.

Other G8 representatives present objected to demonstrations

in lieu of a stayaway because of the potential for violence.

Violence is possible in any case if the MDC does not soon

channel people's frustration in a politically positive way.

Shortages of food, petrol, and most recently, cash, could

result in spontaneous riots and lead the country into

dangerous and uncharted territory. On May 28, Tsvangirai

confirmed to visiting AF/S Director and the Ambassador that

mass action would likely begin on June 2, although the MDC

will only decide this definitively later this week. End

Summary.

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