VZCZCXRO9634
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUEHLG #0449 2121440
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 301440Z JUL 08 ZFF4
FM AMEMBASSY LILONGWE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5410
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0266
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
UNCLAS LILONGWE 000449
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
LONDON FOR PETER LORD, DEPT FOR AF/S - ELIZABETH PELLETREAU
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL SADC ZI MI
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE: ZIMBABWE TALKS
REF: STATE 079617
1. (SBU) Charge Sullivan presented points in reftel demarche to
Deputy Foreign Minister Henry Mumba July 29. Sullivan urged
that when consulted by President Mbeki concerning his
mediation efforts, the GOM advocate for a negotiated solution
that reflected the will of the Zimbabwean people as expressed
in the March 29 elections.
2. (SBU) Mumba replied that the GOM was pleased that talks were
taking place and hopeful that they would lead to a real
solution in Zimbabwe. He also hoped that when a solution was
found, sanctions would be eased and international partners
would quickly address Zimbabweans, dire economic situation.
The Deputy Foreign Minister emphasized the GOM,s strong
support for President Mbeki's leadership in the mediation,
and said that Malawi would not make any public statements
that would condition or undermine that support. Mumba
remarked that it would difficult for outsiders to impose any
elements of a solution on Zimbabwe, including who would serve
as president. Mumba said that the most recent round of
elections had officially resulted in President Mugabe,s
reelection; while those results could be questioned, in the
meantime Mugabe remained head of state.
3. (SBU) The Charge reiterated that from the USG's standpoint, no
government should recognize the outcome of the second round
of elections, which had been essentially nullified by the
widely-recognized violence and intimidation against
opposition leaders and supporters. Mumba took the point, but
again argued that only Zimbabwean leaders could determine
what specific political arrangements would be most
appropriate at this juncture. In response to a question from
Mumba, the Charge also provided that latest information
concerning new U.S. sanctions against members of the Mugabe
regime.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: The GOM appears unlikely to take a forceful
position with respect to Mugabe's participation in a unity
government, and will instead probably stick to supporting
whatever strategy Mbeki pursues.
SULLIVAN