VZCZCXRO5549
RR RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHSA #1740 2201300
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 071300Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY PRETORIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5335
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUEHTN/AMCONSUL CAPE TOWN 5891
RUEHDU/AMCONSUL DURBAN 0059
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC C O N F I D E N T I A L PRETORIA 001740 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2018 
TAGS:      
SUBJECT: SWEDEN SHARES USG CONCERNS ON ZIMBABWE 
 
Classified By: Political Counselor Raymond L. Brown. Reasons 1.4(b) and 
 (d). 
 
 1. (C) Swedish diplomat Jon Ecklund (protect) on 6 August 
shared his government's concerns that fundamental issues will 
not/not be addressed in a unity government agreement brokered 
by President Mbeki between MDC Leader Morgan Tsvangirai and 
President Robert Mugabe.  He specifically mentioned that they 
have been disappointed by the lack of any discussion during 
negotiations around human rights abuses and ongoing violence, 
and that its absence will not lead to any kind of real 
"transformation."  In current talks, he said it appears as if 
everyone is focused on power -- how to get it and how much -- 
rather than justice, democracy, or institutional reform.  As 
a result, Ecklund said that Stockholm is struggling to come 
up with a policy on how to reengage with Zimbabwe if an 
agreement is signed, especially if Mugabe retains any 
executive power with MDC's agreement. 
 
 2. (C) In the meantime, Ecklund said President Mbeki asked 
Stockholm to speak to Mugabe to see if they could influence 
him in anyway.  Ecklund refused to give details, but 
mentioned that his Foreign Affairs Minister tried but that 
they do not have great access or leverage over Mugabe.  He 
also said that they are privately urging all SADC capitals to 
refuse to recognize Mugabe as legitimate president and head 
of government in any sort of unity government.  In addition, 
Stockholm is directing all of its diplomats in SADC countries 
to be more "pro-active" on Zimbabwe with their host 
governments.  By doing so, he said he realizes Stockholm is 
jeopardizing its relationship with President Mbeki and the 
ANC, but does not believe that Mbeki is aware of Stockholm's 
increased diplomatic pressure.  Regardless, he said that 
Stockholm will continue its pressure using human rights 
issues as an anchor, adding that one of Sweden's church 
groups just informed them that 18 bodies were discovered 
floating in a dam and that they fear there are many more that 
they do not know about.  (NOTE: Sweden's unwavering support 
of the ANC during apartheid has resulted in excellent 
relationships with the Presidency, DFA, and the ANC.  Ecklund 
was surprised when PolOff told him that the Zimbabwe crisis 
has strained our relationship with DFA and said that DFA is 
always willing to see him.  END NOTE) 
 
 3. (C) Last, Ecklund passed on a document entitled, 
"Unpacking the Memorandum of Understanding Between Zanu-PF 
and MDC" (sent by email to AF/S).  He did not reveal the 
author, but said it was done by civil society members with a 
human rights focus, meaning though they are not officially 
MDC, they are probably more likely to agree with them given 
the current conditions in Zimbabwe.  Overall, the document is 
pessimistic.  It notes that the three parties still seem far 
apart, that the MoU does not address the current humanitarian 
crisis or justice, and that the parties all commit themselves 
to returning the country to "prosperity," but not to 
democratic principles or good governance.  It also questions 
ZANU-PF's commitment to peace, pointing out that public 
statements must be accompanied by practical steps, and that 
this has not been the case thus far. 
BOST