Zimbabwe had the second longest unbroken record as a multiparty democracy in Africa so it was surprised as to why the United States was complaining about the breakdown of the rule of law and human rights and lack of democracy.
This was stated in a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the United States embassy in Harare in which the embassy was complaining about sentiments made by US assistant secretary of State Walter Kansteiner who had just visited Zimbabwe.
“The Zimbabwe government has recently become aware that the US Administration has attitudes which make it difficult for it to relate positively and constructively with Zimbabwe. These attitudes may have a basis somewhere, but we cannot believe that they arise from genuine concerns about Zimbabwe’s conduct of its domestic affairs, nor from direct differences between the US and Zimbabwe in the manner both regard their respective obligations as sovereign governments,” the letter said.
“The Zimbabwe leadership fought for and introduced national freedom and participatory democracy to the country and the government has maintained the second longest unbroken record as a multiparty democracy in Africa. It continues to uphold the principles of democracy, rule of law and human rights.”
It did not state which country had the longest record.
The embassy commented that it was perplexed about the timing and substance of the letter, the cordiality of which was not echoed in President Robert Mugabe’s August 12 and 13 speeches.
“The letter appears to be an overture, a feeler to see if we are interested in engaging with the GOZ on issues of mutual concern. Given recent threats by President Mugabe and other senior GOZ officials to impose retaliatory sanctions on EU and US officials, the note could be a last-ditch effort to ward off such action, which the professionals at MFA know would only further isolate Zimbabwe,” the embassy said.
Full cable:
Viewing cable 02HARARE1831, ZIMBABWEAN DIPLOMATIC NOTE POSES MORE QUESTIONS
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 HARARE 001831
SIPDIS
FOR AF AND AF/S
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/14/2012
SUBJECT: ZIMBABWEAN DIPLOMATIC NOTE POSES MORE QUESTIONS
THAN ANSWERS
Classified By: CHARGE ROBERT E. WHITEHEAD FOR REASONS 1.5 B/D.
¶1. (U) Embassy received a diplomatic note and statement at
COB on August 9, before the long Hero’s Day weekend. Below
is the entire text.
Begin text of Diplomatic Note:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Zimbabwe
presents its complements to the Embassy of the United States
of America and has the honor to forward a statement in
response to recent remarks by the US Assistant Secretary of
State, Mr. Walter Kansteiner.
The Ministry would like to assure the Embassy that the
Government of Zimbabwe does share the same concerns as the
United States on such issues as democracy and good governance
and is willing to engage the Government of the United States
on such matters. The Ministry believes however that such
dialogue will be facilitated by mutual understanding by both
sides of the dynamics which shape political policies. It is
in this vein that the attached statement has been made, for
onward transmission to the relevant authorities.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Zimbabwe
avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of
the United States of America, the assurances of its highest
consideration.
Harare
August 2002
End text of Diplomatic Note.
Begin text of Statement:
The Zimbabwe Government maintains that there is a concordance
of views and value systems between the US Administration and
itself. It has conducted its relations with the US on this
basis. We have always believed that both our countries are
looking forward to a world where mankind can be freed from
the misery caused by race, xenophobia, terrorism, hunger,
disease, and war.
The Government of Zimbabwe is aware that one of the
historical realities of our time, is that the United States
is the leading democracy in the world today. We have
maintained the hope that the US Administration is prepared to
lead the world in this regard and that, sooner rather than
later, the US Administration will assume this role, not only
for the benefit of larger developed nations, but for the
developing nations as well.
The Zimbabwe Government has recently become aware that the US
Administration has attitudes which make it difficult for it
to relate positively and constructively with Zimbabwe. These
attitudes may have a basis somewhere, but we cannot believe
that they arise from genuine concerns about Zimbabwe’s
conduct of its domestic affairs, nor from direct differences
between the US and Zimbabwe in the manner both regard their
respective obligations as sovereign governments. The
Zimbabwe leadership fought for and introduced national
freedom and participatory democracy to the country and the
government has maintained the second longest unbroken record
as a multiparty democracy in Africa. It continues to uphold
the principles of democracy, rule of law and human rights.
The recent remarks by the US Assistant Secretary of State,
Mr. Walter Kansteiner, 31 July 2002, claiming that democracy
and human rights were no longer applicable to Zimbabwe,
appear to reflect what the US Administration would wish to
say about Zimbabwe, but they do not match the reality of
governance in Zimbabwe. It is of grave concern that such
remarks should be uttered. They distort the essence of
Zimbabwe’s genuine effort to promote democracy, the rule of
law, equity, and prosperity among its people whom colonial
racism had impoverished for over a century.
Mr. Roger Winter, the USAID Assistant Administrator visited
Zimbabwe recently. He visited Mashonalaland Central, (Tsenga
Village, Mount Darwin) to see for himself the extent of
people’s participation and involvement in the distribution of
food relief. Mr. Winter would admit that this visit brought
him face to face with our governance at work and especially
the high level of consultation and stakeholder involvement in
their own local affairs. It is assumed that Mr. Winter has
not yet had the opportunity to share his experiences with Mr.
Kansteiner and we hope that he will have the opportunity to
do so soon.
Zimbabwe wishes that the concordance of values it has always
shared with the United States should remain the firm basis
upon which to build our relations in trade, investment,
tourism and technical cooperation. The Zimbabwe Government
assures the Government of the United States of its highest
consideration and continued friendship.
End text of Statement.
¶2. (C) Comment: Frankly, we were a bit perplexed about the
timing and substance of this diplomatic note, the cordiality
of which was not echoed in Mugabe’s August 12 and 13 speeches
(septel). Although we have been frozen out by the MFA since
the March election, the Americas desk officer delivered this
note in person, telling us he had been instructed to do so by
the permanent secretary, who is no America-phile. Although
some of the note’s claims are laughable — the GOZ “continues
to uphold the principles of democracy, rule of law, and human
rights” — the letter appears to be an overture, a feeler to
see if we are interested in engaging with the GOZ on issues
of mutual concern. Given recent threats by President Mugabe
and other senior GOZ officials to impose retaliatory
sanctions on EU and U.S. officials, the note could be a
last-ditch effort to ward off such action, which the
professionals at MFA know would only further isolate
Zimbabwe. We believe a brief letter of acknowledgment is
appropriate, stating that the USG has always believed in the
importance of bilateral dialogue, that we are happy to share
with them once again our views on the way forward. We want
to avoid giving the GOZ the impression, however, that mere
dialogue, in the absence of significant policy changes, will
lead to an improved bilateral relationship with us or other
key international players. End comment.
WHITEHEAD
(26 VIEWS)
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