258. Memorandum of Conversation1
PARTICIPANTS
- President Jimmy Carter
- Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs
- Warren Christopher, Deputy Secretary of State
- Donald McHenry, Ambassador to the United Nations
- Richard Moose, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs
- Robert Keeley, Ambassador to Zimbabwe
- Frank Press, Office of Science & Technology Policy
- Henry Owen, Special Representative for International Summits
- Louis Martin, White House Staff
- Jerry Funk, NSC Staff
- Paul Hare, Department of State
- Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister of Zimbabwe
- Bernard Chidzero, Minister for Economic Planning
- Elleck K. Mashingaidze, Ambassador-designate to the United States
SUBJECT
- Meeting with Prime Minister Mugabe of Zimbabwe (U)
The President and Prime Minister met with photographers and then joined the other members of the parties in the Cabinet Room. (U)
The President warmly welcomed the Prime Minister on his first2 visit to Washington. The entire world was thrilled on seeing Zimbabwe admitted into the United Nations3 and admired the stature, courage and sensitivity with which the Prime Minister was guiding his nation. The United States was pleased to have played a small role in this outcome. Our two nations had a common commitment to peace and justice in southern Africa and this occasion provided an invaluable opportunity to forge closer bonds and a process of consultation. (C)
The Prime Minister said how grateful and inspired he was to be in Washington. Yesterday, he had paid tribute to the United Nations; today he wished to express gratitude and joy for the support his cause had received from the President and the United States during the struggle for independence. (C)
Mugabe traced the history of the negotiations and referred to the efforts of Andrew Young, Don McHenry and Cyrus Vance to achieve [Page 741] a diplomatic solution. Those efforts had helped pave the way for the subsequent Lancaster House negotiations. He also expressed appreciation for American financial and material support, especially in the area of refugees. This had given his people hope. (C)
Mugabe said that the beliefs which had united us as allies in the past should continue. There were vast areas where our interests converge and we can derive inspiration from them. He repeated that he wanted the alliance between the two countries to endure. (C)
Mugabe said his country was in desperate need of aid. Zimbabwe cannot cope unless additional aid is received. His various ministries estimated that Zimbabwe required $350 million over the next two years for immediate reconstruction alone, such as for the repair and restoration of feeder roads, health clinics, schools and housing. This amount did not address larger issues such as the overhaul of the railroad system which desperately needed to be electrified and modernized. He said that the overall development requirements would mount upward to $4 billion over the next 4–5 years. However, the most pressing need at the moment was for reconstruction. (C)
Mugabe noted that the British had pledged 75 million pounds but much of this assistance had to be allocated for paying military instructors and for other services. There was little left over for the reconstruction and development requirements. He wished to leave the message that democracy will be made permanent in Zimbabwe if it can be consolidated by sufficient economic development. (C)
The President responded that considerable thought had been given to Zimbabwe’s economic needs. The country was blessed with considerable resources, and a strong infrastructure, physical and human. It resembled in some ways the situation in Europe after World War II. (C)
The President said that because of our budgetary cycle we had not been able to plan fully for an assistance program for Zimbabwe. He noted, however, that he did anticipate increasing our assistance levels in the months ahead, and that we want to move ahead quickly in such areas as the Housing Investment Guarantee Loan Program. (C)
The President referred to the possibilities in the private sector. The Chamber of Commerce trade mission in June had been very successful. He intended to send his Science Advisor, Frank Press, to Zimbabwe next month. These efforts need to be reinforced to promote investment and trade. There was, for example, a proposal to establish closer working relations between the two Chambers of Commerce in the United States and Zimbabwe. The World Bank and the international finance institutions will also provide facilities to secure short and long-term loans and can be especially helpful in supporting such programs as the electrification of the railroad system. Finally, the Export-Import Bank now has under consideration an application from The Wankie [Page 742] Colliery for the purchase of a drag line. He had taken a personal interest in this loan, and though a decision by the Bank had not yet been reached, the President thought it would be favorable. (C)
The President said we had a great interest in cooperating on political problems. We were involved through the Contact Group on the Namibia issue. There seemed to be an inclination on the part of the South Africans to delay on a settlement; the United States wanted an expeditious settlement. We need to cooperate closely on this matter through our Ambassadors and at the UN. (C)
The President said he would welcome direct letters from the Prime Minister on issues of concern. He did not want issues to fester and grow. He had a personal interest in establishing direct communications. (C)
The President concluded that we have a problem about different perceptions on levels of assistance. However, these differences can be narrowed. We need to work together to resolve this issue. (C)
Mugabe said he was glad the President had raised the issues of Namibia and South Africa. He agreed that South Africa was delaying on a settlement and felt it was necessary for the United States to take positive action to move South Africa toward an agreement. (C)
Mugabe recounted the meeting of the Front Line states and SWAPO earlier this year. Sam Nujoma was quite forthcoming at this meeting. Nujoma accepts the principle of attendance by the internal parties if a conference were convened to iron out final agreement on the UN plan. In response to a question from the President, Mugabe said the negotiations would, however, have to be principally between South Africa and SWAPO. On other points, Nujoma agreed there was no need for SWAPO bases in Namibia after a cease-fire, though some sort of facility would be needed to look after the fighters during this period. On the DMZ, Angola and Zambia agreed to an increase in the number of South African bases in the DMZ as long as they were not in support of UNITA. (C)
Mugabe thought South Africa might be acting like a delinquent because at times they believe they have the support of the West, especially in vetoing sanctions. The threat of economic sanctions was required both with respect to Namibia and to give encouragement to the liberation movement in South Africa, which was in a much more difficult situation than during his struggle for independence. An oil boycott had also been discussed though Mugabe realized this would pose problems for Zimbabwe, which receives 85% of its oil imports through South Africa. However, he did not believe sanctions would have to be imposed if the threat were made sufficiently clear by the West. (C)
The President said our position on Namibia and apartheid had been made very clear. One had to consider the effect, however, of the [Page 743] devastation of the South African economy on the region as a whole. Our ultimate goals are the same. How we reach them is a matter of joint work and consultation. (C)
The President said one of our problems in the Southern African region was the presence of thousands of Cuban troops in Angola. We would very much like to see a stable Angola and see the Cuban presence removed. (C)
In concluding, the President asked if there were any additional points to be raised. Mugabe asked if the difference on the level of aid was a result of budgetary constraints which he could appreciate, or were there ways to make Congress more responsive to Zimbabwe’s needs? The President referred to his earlier remarks on the budget process and predicted the amount of aid to Zimbabwe would increase and receive Congressional support. (C)
The President then escorted the Prime Minister to the East Room for a reception in his honor. (U)