Wikileaks: YEAR 2010 -USA AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH HON SAVIOUR KASUKUWEREZIMBABWE'S MINISTER OF YOUTH, INDEGINIZATION , AND EMPOWERMENT

WIKELEAKS: YEAR 2010 -USA AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH HON SAVIOUR KASUKUWEREZIMBABWE'S MINISTER OF YOUTH, INDEGINIZATION , AND EMPOWERMENT 

ID	10HARARE87
SUBJECT	Ambassador's meeting with Zim Minister of Youth,
DATE	2010-02-08 00:00:00
CLASSIFICATION	CONFIDENTIAL
ORIGIN	Embassy Harare
TEXT	C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 HARARE 000087  SIPDIS  AF/S FOR BRIAN WALCH  NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR MICHELLE GAVIN  E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/02/08  TAGS: PREL, PGOV, ZI, ECON, EINV  SUBJECT: Ambassador's meeting with Zim Minister of Youth,  Indigenization and Empowerment  CLASSIFIED BY: Charles Ray, Ambassador, State, Exec; REASON: 1.4(B),  (D)  -------------  SUMMARY  -------------  1. (SBU) Zimbabwe's Minister of Youth, Indigenization and  Empowerment Saviour KASUKUWERE suggested to the Ambassador that all  donor and NGO support for youth be channeled through the Zimbabwe  Youth Council. He defended indigenization as necessary to protect  Zimbabwe's resources, and said the policy would be applied  flexibly. Finally, he argued that Western-imposed sanctions were  the primary impediment to progress under the Global Political  Agreement (GPA). END SUMMARY.  2. (SBU) KASUKUWERE sought the meeting with the Ambassador, which  took place at the Ministry on February 4 and was cordial. He said  his purpose was to build bridges, and find areas of cooperation.  Fundamental was assistance to youth. Zimbabwe youth were in a  desperate situation and were being manipulated by different groups.  He said he appreciated assistance to youths by the U.S. and NGOs,  but he was concerned that money was being given to run programs  without the knowledge of the government. He urged that any U.S.  funds be channeled through the Zimbabwe Youth Council which he said  had ZANU-PF, MDC, and civil society representation.  3. (SBU) The Ambassador posited that many youth were essentially  "ghost workers." They were on the civil service payroll, but were  not actually working. (NOTE: We have reports that many of these  individuals are involved in intimidation of MDC supporters in rural  areas. END NOTE.) KASUKUWERE replied that many were actually  involved in productive activities but were getting bad publicity.  4. (SBU) Turning to indigenization, the Ambassador stated that the  uncertain investment climate was a deterrent to investment and the  recovery of the economy. KASUKUWERE said that indigenization was  necessary so that resources could be protected and the Zimbabwean  people have a stake in the economy. He was in the process of  issuing regulations to support existing indigenization legislation.  In summary, businesses involved in divestments or mergers would  have to be 51 percent indigenous. Existing businesses would have  up to five years to reach the 51 percent. The percentage of  indigenization required for new investment would be determined by  KASUKUWERE and the MDC-T Minister of Economic Development on a  case-by-case basis according to the sector involved. For example,  mining investment would have to immediately meet a minimum of 50  percent, but high tech investment might start at 30 percent.  5. (SBU) KASUKUWERE said Zimbabwe and the U.S. should work toward  normalizing relations. But after viewing President Obama's  inauguration-and offer of an open hand-with hope, he was becoming  disappointed. Sanctions were still in place and were coming  between Zimbabweans seeking to find common ground with each other.  When the Ambassador told him he was willing to talk to anyone about  the issues that divide us, KASUKUWERE responded that his (the  Ambassador's) fist was clenched too.  -------------  COMMENT  -------------  HARARE 00000087 002 OF 002  6. (C) KASUKUWERE is young, smooth, and ambitious. He reportedly  orchestrated violence in Mashonaland East in the 2008 elections.  Realizing that the future may not lie exclusively with ZANU-PF, he  is on a charm offensive, reaching out to both MDC factions and to  Western diplomats. He is an important player given the political  importance of youth and the economic importance of investment.  7. (C) KASUKUWERE is from Mt. Darwin in Mashonaland East Province,  also the home of Vice President Joice Mujuru. At 40, he is the  youngest ZANU-PF minister. While he has in the past been allied  with the Mujuru faction, an advisor to the vice president told us  he is untrustworthy and a "thug." END COMMENT.  RAY
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