US implored EU to place Gono on sanctions list

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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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

(clarkjt@state.sgov.gov; clarkjt@state.gov; 202.736.7736) is

the point of contact.

¶6. (U) Department appreciates posts’ assistance.

RICE

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