The United States implored the European Union to include central bank governor Gideon Gono on its sanctions list soon after the 2008 presidential elections run off when it sought to press for a United Nations Security Council Resolution that would allow military intervention in Zimbabwe.
Gono was not on the EU sanctions list but had been on the US list since 2005.
The US argued that there were ample reasons for the EU to add Gono to their sanctions list.
It said Gono was responsible for funding repressive state policies. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe had repeatedly raided foreign currency accounts.
Gono was responsible for rampant printing of money that allowed the government of Zimbabwe to pay its debts and which had led to an inflation rate currently estimated to be over 1 million percent, beggaring the people of Zimbabwe and destroying their purchasing power.
Gono controlled issues far beyond the purview of his portfolio and had used his influence to manipulate the economy and facilitate numerous corrupt deals for Zimbabwe’s ruling elite.
As Mugabe’s close advisor, Gono wielded influence over Zimbabwe’s security services, judiciary, and ruling party to ensure Mugabe’s often brutal and repressive policies were carried out, likely including the recent post 29 March violence.
The money that he printed was used to pay military, war vets and the youth militia who carried out the violence.
Gono was personally very wealthy, having been involved in a number of illicit deals to fund Mugabe’s coffers and his own bank account.
Full cable:
Viewing cable 08STATE72065, INFORMATION FOR EU SANCTIONS – GIDEON GONO
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|
Reference ID |
Created |
Released |
Classification |
Origin |
VZCZCXRO9852
OO RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV
DE RUEHC #2065/01 1860046
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 040050Z JUL 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS IMMEDIATE 0880
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE 8423
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS IMMEDIATE 9839
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME IMMEDIATE 6966
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 2388
INFO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEATRS/TREASURY DEPT WASHINGTON DC 9641
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC 0868
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 072065
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC PREL EFIN KTFN PTER UNSC ZI
SUBJECT: INFORMATION FOR EU SANCTIONS – GIDEON GONO
REF: STATE 70882
¶1. (U) Action Request: Action addressees are requested to
deliver the information in para 4 to host governments. Info
addressees should also deliver the demarche at that their
discretion.
——————-
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE
——————-
¶2. (U) The U.S. listed Gideon Gono, Governor of the Reserve
Bank of Zimbabwe, in the Annex of Executive Order 13391 on
November 22, 2005. In E.O. 13391, the President authorized
the blocking of all property and interests in property that
are in the United States of individuals and entities listed
in the Executive Order’s Annex and any person determined by
the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the
Secretary of State, to have engaged in actions or policies to
undermine Zimbabwe’s democratic processes or institutions
(for the full E.O. text, please see:
www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/11/2005 1123-4.html).
¶3. (SBU) The United States, and much of the international
community, have expressed deep concerns about the situation
in Zimbabwe following the illegitimate election on June 27, in
which the Mugabe regime used violence and intimidation to
force opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai – the winner of
the March 29 election – out of the run-off election and to
prevent a free and fair election that could reflect the will
of the Zimbabwean people. The U.S. is proposing a UN
Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) with Chapter VII
measures, including a comprehensive arms embargo on Zimbabwe,
and an asset freeze and travel ban against individuals and
entities designated by the Committee as having engaged in or
having provided support for actions or policies to undermine
democratic processes or institutions in Zimbabwe, including
having ordered, planned, or participated in acts of
politically motivated violence, or as providing support to
individuals or entities designated. (Please see reftel for
full text.) The UNSCR includes an Annex of individuals to be
designated immediately upon adoption of the resolution,
including Gideon GONO. The Europeans are hesitant to agree
to GONO’s inclusion in the Annex, as the European Union has
not designated him under the EU Zimbabwe sanctions programs
(which permits sanctions against individuals who engage in
activities that seriously undermine democracy, respect for
human rights and the rule of law in Zimbabwe). We strongly
encourage the EU to list GONO, and request support from
European governments to maintain GONO’s inclusion in the
Annex for listing at the UN. There is ample information to
support Gideon GONO’s listing by the EU and the UN.
————————–
INFORMATION ON GIDEON GONO
————————–
¶4. (U) Please provide the following information to host
governments:
GONO, Gideon
DOB 29 Nov 1959
Passport AD000854 (Zimbabwe)
Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe
GONO is responsible for funding repressive state policies.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has repeatedly raided foreign
currency accounts. Exporting companies and NGOs complain of
this to the Embassy.
As Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, Gono is
responsible for rampant printing of money that allows the
government of Zimbabwe to pay its debts ) and which has led
to an inflation rate currently estimated to be over 1 million
percent, beggaring the people of Zimbabwe and destroying
their purchasing power.
As Reserve Bank Governor of Zimbabwe, Gono controls issues
far beyond the purview of his portfolio and has used his
influence to manipulate the economy and facilitate numerous
corrupt deals for Zimbabwe’s ruling elite.
Gono, Mugabe’s close advisor, wields influence over
Zimbabwe’s security services, judiciary, and ruling party to
ensure Mugabe’s often brutal and repressive policies are
carried out, likely including the recent post March 29
violence.
Additionally, money that he printed as governor of the
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe was used to pay military, war vets
and the youth militia who carried out the violence.
Gono is personally very wealthy, having been involved in a
number of illicit deals to fund Mugabe’s coffers and his own
bank account.
————————–
REPORTING DEADLINE AND POC
————————–
¶5. (U) Posts are requested to advise Department by 9 July of
host governments’ responses. Jean T Clark
([email protected]; [email protected]; 202.736.7736) is
the point of contact.
¶6. (U) Department appreciates posts’ assistance.
RICE
(34 VIEWS)
