Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai wrote United States President Barack Obama thanking him for the support he had given to his office and emphasised the need to maintain sanctions as a leverage to get concessions from the inclusive government.
According to the latest batch of cables released by Wikileaks last week, the letter was delivered by hand to U.S. Defense Attache Lt Col. Patrick Anderson at the U.S. Embassy in Harare on 29 December 2009.
In the letter, Tsvangirai also said: “We have had discussions with Ambassador Charles Ray on restrictive measures. I well understand that movement on the part of the International Community will need to be in response to tangible progress on GPA implementation.
“We should, however, ensure that movement when it comes is seen to be acknowledged in a tangible way – striking a careful balance between retaining leverage and rewarding progress. This will involve difficult judgements but it will be important to sustain momentum when it comes.”
Tsvangirai’s private support for sanctions while publicly calling for their removal almost landed him in trouble.
Here is the full cable:
Viewing cable 09HARARE1007, PRIME MINISTER TSVANGIRAI LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA
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|
Reference ID |
Created |
Released |
Classification |
Origin |
VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHSB #1007 3630857
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 290857Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5266
UNCLAS HARARE 001007
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR S/ES-CR AND S/ES-O
AF FOR A/S JOHNNIE CARSON, PDAS DON YAMAMOTO, DAS SUSAN PAGE
AF/S FOR BRIAN WALCH
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR MICHELLE GAVIN
E.O. 12958: N/A
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER TSVANGIRAI LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA
¶1. The following is the text of a message as received from Prime
Minister Morgan Tsvangirai of Zimbabwe to President Barack Obama of
the United States of America.
¶2. BEGIN TEXT:
REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE
The Prime Minister
21 December 2009
His Excellency
Barrack Obama
President of the United States of America
Your Excellency,
As we approach the end of 2009, a period that has turned out to be a
watershed for Zimbabwe, I write to convey my appreciation for the
support we have received from you personally, the government and
people of your great nation. Kindly pass on my warm thanks also to
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
I was very pleased, Mr. President, to note the support offered by
your country and the various international Non Governmental
Organisations (NGOs) that expanded beyond the life saving
interventions which were so important. This assistance has brought
direct benefits to millions of our people and has demonstrated to
the hard pressed population that the reformists in government are
capable of delivering results.
Your support for my office has also been invaluable and I look
forward to this continuing.
As you are no doubt aware, Your Excellency, we are at a crucial
stage in our efforts to ensure the full implementation of the GPA.
Meanwhile, our political situation remains characterised by
intransigence to frustrate the process of bringing about real
change.
The role played by SADC, in general, and the mediator President
Jacob Zuma, in particular, is greatly appreciated. I know that you
have personally played a crucial role in helping this to happen, and
I encourage you to continue your crucial dialogue with President
Zuma.
We have had discussions with Ambassador Charles Ray on restrictive
measures. I well understand that movement on the part of the
International Community will need to be in response to tangible
progress on GPA implementation. We should, however, ensure that
movement when it comes is seen to be acknowledged in a tangible way
– striking a careful balance between retaining leverage and
rewarding progress. This will involve difficult judgements but it
will be important to sustain momentum when it comes.
In light of the current negotiations of the three political parties
I have now taken personal interest in the normalisation of relations
between my government and your government and my office will be
following up on this very critical issue in the coming year.
We have, with your help, made real progress in 2009. Zimbabwe has
been brought back from the brink. The economy has been stabilised.
Essential health, education and other services have been restored. A
long and difficult road clearly lies ahead but with the continued
support of key partners like the US, and also the active engagement
of SADC and South Africa, I have every hope of building on this
start.
May I wish you and your family a merry Christmas and a joyous New
Year. Please accept, Mr. President, assurances of my esteem
consideration.
Looking forward to continue working with you,
Morgan Tsvangirai
END TEXT.
¶3. (U) The letter was received by hand delivery via U.S. Defense
Attache LtCol. Patrick Anderson at the U.S. Embassy Harare on
Tuesday, December 29, 2009. Original will be forwarded to AF/S Desk
Officer Brian Walch via diplomatic pouch, registration number
¶7262800.
RAY
(31 VIEWS)
