VZCZCXRO1045
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUEHPL #0280 2140912
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 010912Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY PORT LOUIS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4133
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS PORT LOUIS 000280
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
AF/E FOR MARIA BEYZEROV
AF/S FOR GARLAND AND PELLETREAU
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL SADC ZI MP
SUBJECT: MAURITIUS STANCE ON ZIMBABWE TALKS
REF: STATE 79617
1. (SBU) On August 1, Ambassador Cabrera, accompanied by DCM
as notetaker, delivered reftel demarche to Secretary of
Foreign Affairs, Anund Neewoor. Neewoor acknowledged the
demarche points and suggested that the framework for talks
between Mugabe's ZANU-PF party and the opposition Movement
for Democratic Change is a positive step towards a
resolution. Neewoor added that Mauritius is "on the same
wave length" as the United States, noting in particular that
Mauritius would like to see Mugabe out either via new
elections or via negotiations. A dignified departure of
Mugabe from power would be "the best for Zimbabwe, Africa and
the world."
2. (SBU) Secretary Neewoor noted the recent talks as evidence
that the "quiet diplomacy" of the SADC designated
facilitator, President Thabo Mbeki, is working. According to
Neewoor, these recent talks vindicated the GOM's long-held
stance of making no independent commentary on Zimbabwe.
3. (SBU) When asked for information on what GOM plans to do
to support the current process, Neewoor only noted the GOM's
support for the inclusion of Zimbabwe on the agenda for the
upcoming August 15 SADC summit in South Africa. He added,
however, that he anticipates a "breakthrough" in negotiations
prior to the summit which could preclude the need to raise it
in SADC.
CABRERA