Cablegate: Government Paper Reports Zimbabwe Will Accept

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

UNCLAS HARARE 002039

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/PD, AF/S, AF/RA
NSC FOR JENDAYI FRAZER
LONDON FOR GURNEY
PARIS FOR NEARY
NAIROBI FOR PFLAUMER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM KPAO KMDR ZI
SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT PAPER REPORTS ZIMBABWE WILL ACCEPT
BIOTECH FOOD AID

1. According to a front-page, above-the-fold report
in the September 6 edition of the government-owned
Herald, President Mugabe has ruled that Zimbabwe will
accept food aid that may contain biotech products.
However, the President added that that such food relief
will be subject to special shipping, milling and
distribution requirements.

2. Under the banner headline "GM Food aid gets nod:
Conditions for imports set; Shipment to be quarantined"
the government-controlled daily "The Herald" (09/06)
carried the following story:

3. "The government, which previously indicated it
would reject genetically modified food, yesterday
(September 5) announced it will accept the food aid but
on condition that it will be quarantined to allow
Zimbabwe's agricultural scientists to closely monitor
its shipment, milling and distribution in the country.
. . However, an understanding was reached yesterday
between the government and World Food Program (WFP)
whereby the WFP will inform Zimbabwe when it would be
bringing in the food. The UN food agency will also
import non-GMO maize, beans and other foodstuffs. . .
A UN humanitarian assistance team, led by WFP director
Mr. Tim (sic) Morris, held separate meetings with
President Mugabe, the Minister if Finance and Economic
Development, Herbert Murerwa, and the Minister of
Public Service, Labor and Social Welfare, July Moyo
yesterday. As part of the agreement, the WFP will
increase its monthly food imports into Zimbabwe from
10,000 tons to 55,000 tons. The food is going to be
shipped through East London and Durban in South Africa
and Maputo and Beira in Mozambique. . . The President
said the government was going to cooperate with the WFP
and everybody who wants food would be fed regardless of
the color of their skin, religious or political
persuasion. `We don't go that far with our politics,'
he said. . . ."

SULLIVAN

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