Press Coverage African Reaction to Wikileaks Release December 2 2010

8/8/2019 Press Coverage African Reaction to Wikileaks Release December 2 2010

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United States Africa CommandPublic Affairs Office1 December 2010

African Reaction to the Wikileaks Release

U.S. Sought Personal Details of Great Lakes, Sahel Leaders (AllAfrica.com)(Pan Africa) A secret diplomatic cable sent to American diplomatic missions in thename of Secretary of State Hilary Clinton last April sought personal details ² includingfingerprints, DNA and iris scans ² of leaders in the Great Lakes region, includingpolitical, military, business and religious figures.

Wikileaks: US allies unruffled by embassy cable leaks (BBC)

(South Africa) Nothing that's emerged so far on Wikileaks has caused much surprise inSouth Africa. In fact one newspaper suggested that South Africa may be one of thecountries least embarrassed by the leak of the diplomatic cables.

Mandela not spared by US criticism, wikileaks cables to show (Times Live)(South Africa) Former South African president Nelson Mandela was not spared in theswathe of revelations emerging from thousands of leaked US diplomatic cables.

Diplomats in a frenzy over 'crazy old' Mugabe (Times Live)(South Africa) US diplomats yesterday scrambled for appointments with senior South

African government officials to protect relations between the two countries followingthe leaking of potentially damaging top-secret American communications on Sundaynight.

WikiLeaks document reveals US view of Zimbabwe (The Zimbabwean)(Zimbabwe) An analysis of the Zimbabwean situation, entitled The end is nigh andwritten by Christopher Dell as he was leaving his post in July 2007, is among the250,000-plus confidential and secret documents gradually being released by Wikileaks.

U.S. Scorns 'Inept' MDC Leadership (The Herald)

(Zimbabwe) The United States failed to effect regime change in Zimbabwe because it

was working with a weak MDC party with an inept leadership, leaked classifieddocuments have revealed.

Mbeki Bias for Mugabe Highlighted in Leaked Diplomatic Reports (SW Radio Africa -London)



(Zimbabwe) The United States former ambassador to Zimbabwe, Christopher Dell,highlighted what he felt was former South African President Thabo Mbeki's bias forMugabe and ZANU PF during his mediation efforts in 2008.

Wikileaks: Ncube accuses US of plot to kill him (New Zimbabwe)

(Zimbabwe) Industry and Commerce Minister Welshman Ncube has accused theUnited States of a plot to assassinate him after a leaked cable from its formerambassador to Zimbabwe recommended that he be ´pushed off stageµ.

Wikileaks Reveals U.S. Role in June 12 Crisis (Leadership - Abuja)

(Nigeria) Wikileaks, an international non-profit media organisation, has revealed theUnited States of America's role in the June 12, 1993, election that was annulled by themilitary.

U.S. Diplomats Talking of Yar'Adua's Death in June 2009 (Daily Trust)

(Nigeria) Commonwealth officials were in June 2009 anticipating that a "constitutionalcrisis" would befall Nigeria because of President Umaru Yar'adua's "sudden death",according to secret US diplomatic cables posted by whistle blower Wikileaks yesterday.

Leaked Reports Show U.S. Spied on Nationals (The Monitor)

(Uganda) The United States government asked its diplomats to spy on their colleaguesat the United Nations, including envoys from Uganda, confidential memos leaked onthe internet yesterday show.

AhoyWashington, Need Advice: Blackwater Plans Pirate Hunt (New York Times)

(Somalia/Djibouti) In late 2008, Blackwater Worldwide, already under fire because of

accusations of abuses by its security guards in Iraq and Afghanistan, reconfigured a183-foot oceanographic research vessel into a pirate-hunting ship for hire and thenbegan looking for business from shipping companies seeking protection from Somalipirates.

Djibouti cleared Blackwater to kill pirates (afrol News)

(Djibouti) The government of Djibouti permitted the controversial private US securityfirm Blackwater "to operate an armed ship from the port of Djibouti" and to "use lethalforce against pirates."

WikiLeaks reveals unflattering view of Kenya. Can US retain its influence? (ChristianScience Monitor)

(Kenya) Leaked reports from the US embassy in Nairobi depict Kenya as ´a swamp offlourishing corruption.µ

U.S. to Govt - Sorry for What is Coming (Daily Nation)(Kenya) The US government has apologised to Kenya over comments by someAmerican diplomats on the country's leadership. US assistant secretary of State for



African Affairs Johnny Carson, who served as ambassador to Nairobi during part of theperiod covered by the leaked cables, telephoned Prime Minister Raila Odinga onMonday.

Kenya calls US 'swamp of graft' cable 'malicious' (Associated Press)

(Kenya) Kenya's government spokesman said Tuesday that a U.S. characterization ofthe country as a "swamp" of corruption in reports of leaked diplomatic memos is"malicious" if true.

Govt Hits Back At U.S. Graft Claims (Daily Nation)(Kenya) Kenya has reacted angrily at leaked reports from US describing it as corruptand accused unnamed foreign powers of spending Sh1.6 billion to destabilise thegovernment.

Spokesman Alleges U.S. Plot 'To Topple Coalition' (Daily Nation)

(Kenya) Government Spokesman Alfred Mutua on Tuesday fell short of directlyaccusing the US Government of funding a campaign to cause unrest in the country.

Americans Want to Overthrow Government (Nairobi Star)(Kenya) Kenya yesterday implied there was an attempt by the United States tooverthrow the government.

Stop Political Tours, Raila Tells U.S. Envoy (Daily Nation)(Kenya) Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Wednesday asked US ambassador MichaelRanneberger to stop his political activities among the youth.

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U.S. Sought Personal Details of Great Lakes, Sahel Leaders (AllAfrica.com)

Cape Town ³ A secret diplomatic cable sent to American diplomatic missions in thename of Secretary of State Hilary Clinton last April sought personal details ² includingfingerprints, DNA and iris scans ² of leaders in the Great Lakes region, includingpolitical, military, business and religious figures.

The cable, sent from Washington to missions in Bujumbura, Kampala, Kigali andKinshasa, was among 220 released by the WikiLeaks website on Sunday. WikiLeakssays it plans to release more than 250,000 State Department communications in thecoming months, of which more than 15,000 are classified as secret.

The cable to Great Lakes region missions outlined what it called "reporting andcollection needs" for the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Rwanda. It wasdated April 16, 2009.



Apart from seeking biometric details for "key and emerging political, military,intelligence, opposition, ethnic, religious, and business leaders", the cable ² and aseparate directive sent to missions in the Sahel region ² directed diplomats to collectlocal leaders' telephone, cell phone, pager and fax numbers, internet and intranet

"handles", internet e-mail addresses, web site identification URLs, credit card accountnumbers, frequent flyer account numbers and work schedules.

Journalists who have examined all the documents published on Sunday report thatbiometric data were also sought by Washington for key United Nations officials.

The Australian newspaper, owned by media magnate Rupert Murdoch, characterizedthe State Department directives as "a secret order signed by Hilary Clinton" which"directed American diplomats to act as spies around the world against friends andenemies alike." In London, The Guardian suggested that the directive "appears to blur

the line between diplomacy and spying."

The directive covering the Sahel is also dated April 16, 2009, and specified eightcountries: Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Chad, The Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger andSenegal.

It said a separate document ² which it named as "the West Africa Littoral directive"covered the coastal countries of West Africa: Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone,Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo and Benin. This directive does not yet appear tohave been published by WikiLeaks.

------------------ Wikileaks: US allies unruffled by embassy cable leaks (BBC)

Among the 250,000 confidential cables obtained by the website Wikileaks are frankcomments by American diplomats on a number of allies.

BBC correspondents around the world look at the documents and the impact theymight have in some of those countries.

Jonah Fisher, Johannesburg, South Africa:Nothing that's emerged so far on Wikileaks has caused much surprise here. In fact onenewspaper suggested that South Africa may be one of the countries least embarrassedby the leak of the diplomatic cables.

But anything that mentions the country's icon and first president Nelson Mandela stillattracts huge interest.



So messages relating to his release from prison have been reported, as has his apparentfury with ANC colleagues when they stopped him meeting British Prime MinisterMargaret Thatcher shortly afterwards.

It's hard to imagine relations between the US and Zimbabwe's president getting any

worse.

But Robert Mugabe may quite enjoy the ambassador's description of him as a devil. Thecable also said that Mr Mugabe was more clever and ruthless than any otherZimbabwean politician.

One of those, Morgan Tsvangirai - a supposed ally of the US - may not be so pleased byhis American report card. The cable called Zimbabwe's prime minister flawed,indecisive and lacking executive experience.------------------

Mandela not spared by US criticism, wikileaks cables to show (Times Live)

Cables that had yet to be released would reveal the depth of Mandela's opposition tothe war in Iraq, local media reported.

Mandela considered then US president George W Bush was incapable of thinkingcorrectly and believed that Bush ignored calls by the United Nations for restraint in Iraqbecause the UN's then secretary general, Kofi Annan, was black, the cables are expectedto show.

Other cables still to be released, meanwhile, would also show South Africa's first blackpresident, as being on the receiving end of criticism.

The US embassy in Pretoria admitted it had approached the South African governmentto warn it in advance about the messages, which reportedly including embarrassingcriticism by the US of the anti- apartheid icon, South Africa's Independent Newspapersreported.

The first batch of leaked cables showed how Mandela was shot down by his AfricanNational Congress (ANC) party when he expressed a desire to meet ex-British primeminister Margaret Thatcher shortly after his release from prison in 1990.

Mandela had wanted to explain why the ANC had opposed Thatcher's policy of"constructive engagement" with the racist apartheid regime but the leftist ANC opposedthe meeting, leaving Mandela "furious."

The cables also contained embarrassing revelations about how both South Africa andthe US view Zimbabwe's leaders.



"The crazy old man," is how South Africa's International Relations Minister MaiteNkoane Mashabane is said to refer to Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe - a remarkthat was likely to cause a stir in Harare given that South Africa is overseeing theimplementation of Zimbabwe's power-sharing agreement.

The cables also expose Washington's doubts about the leadership of Zimbabwean PrimeMinister Morgan Tsvangirai.

While the man who has led democratic opposition to Mugabe for the past decade was"the indispensable element for opposition success" he risked becoming "possibly analbatross around their necks once in power," the then US ambassador to Zimbabwewrote in 2007.------------------Diplomats in a frenzy over 'crazy old' Mugabe (Times Live)

US diplomats yesterday scrambled for appointments with senior South Africangovernment officials to protect relations between the two countries following theleaking of potentially damaging top-secret American communications on Sunday night.

Officials from US Ambassador Donald Gips's office consulted their counterparts in theDepartment of International Relations and Co-operation after whistleblower websiteWikiLeaks leaked the first batch of about 250000 US diplomatic cables it has been givenaccess to.

International Relations and Co-operation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane is likely tofly to the US this week to for discussions with American security officials, herspokesman said.

The cables, which include unflattering remarks about many world leaders, includingBritish Prime Minister David Cameron, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and RussianPrime Minister Vladimir Putin, include embarrassing revelations about how SouthAfrica and the US view Zimbabwe's leaders.

Nkoana-Mashabane will also have to deal with claims in the leaked cables that sherefers to President Robert Mugabe as ''the crazy old man''. Her reported remarks arelikely to harden attitudes in Zimbabwe and complicate efforts by President JacobZuma's mediators to lessen tensions between Mugabe's Zanu-PF and its coalitiongovernment partner, the Movement for Democratic Change.

Political analyst Steven Friedman said the leaks will cause "some irritation" and thatMugabe might be hard to deal with, but diplomatic relations between South Africa andZimbabwe would not be affected.



''Mugabe will not take kindly to some of the comments made about him but that doesnot mean that diplomatic relations will be altered.''

Some of the other potentially damaging leaks pertaining to South Africa include the

revelations that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last year ordered US diplomats togather intelligence on South Africa's ambassador to the UN, Baso Sangqu, and thatformer president Nelson Mandela was infuriated that he was prohibited by the ANCfrom meeting former UK prime minister Margaret Thatcher after his release from prisonin 1990.

Mandela, according to the leaked reports, intended to criticise Thatcher's constructiveengagement policy with the apartheid government to her face. He was reportedly''furious'' when the ANC's leadership vetoed the meeting.

The leaked reports include references to Mandela and his criticism of US presidentGeorge W Bush for ignoring calls by the UN for restraint in Iraq, which he attributed toUN secretary general Kofi Annan being black.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation's spokesman, Sello Hatang, said yesterday there wasnothing new about Mandela's comments on the US-led Iraqi invasion.

He refused, however, to comment on reports that Mandela was banned by his partyfrom talking to Thatcher.

This information was allegedly given to US intelligence agents by Gabu Tugwana, thendeputy editor of the New Nation newspaper, which was edited by Zwelakhe Sisulu - amember of the ANC's national executive committee and the man who compiledMandela's appointments diary.

Tugwana, director of communications for the Johannesburg metro, yesterday dismissedthe reports as "nonsense" and called them ''libellous''.

A spokesman for the US embassy in South Africa, Elizabeth Trudeau, yesterdayconfirmed that US diplomats had been speaking to South African government officialsabout the leaks.

She said she was confident that they would not jeopardise relations between thecountries.

Describing the leaks as "the nuts and bolts of diplomacy that goes on around theworld", Trudeau said the communications leaked were typical of all embassies andwere no more than "day-to-day reporting".



"It is important to realise that this sort of communication is not official US policy, it isnot a public statement.

"This will not tarnish relations. Absolutely not! The relations are excellent and getting

better."

Further leaks reveal how former president Thabo Mbeki, who negotiated a politicalsettlement between Mugabe and Tsvangirai, was also criticised by the US government.

The documents show for the first time that the US believed that he was not a neutralbroker in the negotiations but favoured Mugabe's Zanu-PF.

A former US ambassador to Zimbabwe, Christopher Dell, revealed this in a 2007communique to Washington outlining options for ending Zimbabwe's political crisis.

"This solution is more likely to prolong than resolve the crisis and we must guardagainst letting Pretoria dictate an outcome which perpetuates the status quo at theexpense of real change and reform," he said.

Dell, in a cable, described Mugabe as "more clever and more ruthless than any otherpolitician in Zimbabwe".

His criticism did not spare Tsvangirai, whom he described as ''a brave, committed manand, by and large, a democrat but 'also a flawed figure, not readily open to advice,

indecisive and with questionable judgment in selecting those around him".------------------ WikiLeaks document reveals US view of Zimbabwe (The Zimbabwean)

HARARE - Mugabe is ruthless, obsessive and deeply ignorant about economics;Morgan Tsvangirai is indecisive; Arthur Mutambara is a lightweight. These are justsome of the sentiments of the former US ambassador to Zimbabwe, Christopher Dell,revealed this week by WikiLeaks.An analysis of the Zimbabwean situation, entitled The end is nigh and written byChristopher Dell as he was leaving his post in July 2007, is among the 250,000-plusconfidential and secret documents gradually being released by Wikileaks.The documents include correspondence between the US State Department andWashington·s embassies around the world. They focus on US policy and diplomaticrelations between the US and countries in the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa andelsewhere.Dell·s summing up of Zimbabwe gives insights into US thinking and objectives, as wellas Washington·s opinion about the leading political players in the country. The former



ambassador wrote that he felt the end was nigh for Mugabe, but that it was unclear howhe would actually leave power.Foreseeing the possibility of a coalition government, Dell said: ´Less attractive is theidea of a South African-brokered transitional arrangement or government of nationalunity. Mbeki has always favored stability and in his mind this means a Zanu PF-led

GNU, with perhaps a few MDC additions. This solution is more likely to prolong thanresolve the crisis and we must guard against letting Pretoria dictate an outcome whichperpetuates the status quo at the expense of real change and reform.µDell describes Zimbabwe·s opposition as ´far from idealµ, adding: ´the currentleadership has little executive experience and will require massive hand holding andassistance should they ever come to powerµ. The document advises keeping ´thepressure on in order to keep Mugabe off his game and on his back foot, relying on hisown shortcomings to do him inµ.Dell emphasises the importance of the US, stating that ´the UK is ham-strung by itscolonial past and domestic politics, thus, letting them set the pace alone merely limits

our effectiveness«.Thus it falls to the U.S., once again, to take the lead, to say and dothe hard things and to set the agendaµ.WikiLeaks is a not-for-profit media organisation that aims to bring important news andinformation to the public. The organisation provides a secure and anonymous way forsources to leak information to their journalists, using a sophisticated electronic dropbox.They publish thoroughly verified original source material alongside news stories soreaders and historians can see evidence of the truth.------------------U.S. Scorns 'Inept' MDC Leadership (The Herald)

The United States failed to effect regime change in Zimbabwe because it was workingwith a weak MDC party with an inept leadership, leaked classified documents haverevealed.

Among 250 000 leaked documents published by Wikileaks on Sunday night is acommunication by former US ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell in which hesaid there was no "ideal" opposition to Zanu-PF and President Mugabe.

In a scathing assessment of the two MDC formations, Dell said regime change wouldhave been easier to instigate had the parties had more "talent".

The communication -- titled "The End is Nigh" -- to the US State Department and otherdiplomatic missions was on July 13, 2007 and gave Dell's assessment of how the 2008elections were likely to go.

Dell said MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai was, however, useful for Americanpurposes in Zimbabwe.



He lamented: "Zimbabwe's opposition is far from ideal and I leave convinced that hadwe had different partners, we could have achieved more already.

"But you have to play the hand you're dealt."

Dell said the MDC leadership had little executive experience and would "requiremassive hand-holding and assistance should they ever come to power".

Last week, The Herald broke the story that Mr Tsvangirai, as Prime Minister in theinclusive Government, had asked the British to second someone to hold his hand andoffer him "technical advice".

Dell described Mr Tsvangirai as a "flawed figure" who was "not readily open to advice,indecisive and with questionable judgment in selecting those around him".

"He is the indispensable element for opposition success, but possibly an albatrossaround their necks once in power.

"In short, he is a kind of Lech Walesa character: Zimbabwe needs him, but should notrely on his executive abilities to lead the country's recovery."

Walesa, also a former trade unionist, was largely built up by the West to take charge ofPolish politics in opposition to communism during the Cold War.

Dell was dismissive of MDC leader Professor Arthur Mutambara.

"Arthur Mutambara is young and ambitious, attracted to radical, anti-Western rhetoricand smart as a whip.

"But, in many respects he's a lightweight who has spent too much time reading UScampaign messaging manuals and too little thinking about the real issues."

He also took a dig at MDC secretary-general Prof Welshman Ncube.

Dell said he was a "deeply divisive and destructive player in the opposition ranks andthe sooner he is pushed off the stage, the better".

The American diplomat wrote of his belief that the sanctions-induced economic malaisewould lead more to President Mugabe's ouster from office than any other single factor -- including the MDCs.

He said there was no prospect of the MDCs working together.



Commenting on the party's October 2005 split, he said this was "a totally unnecessaryself-inflicted wound".

He said MDC-T had "thin talent" and needed "the great saving grace" from Diasporaprofessionals, entrepreneurs and businesspersons.

Dell expressed frustration that the MDCs could not co-ordinate activities with NGOslike the National Constitutional Assembly and Women of Zimbabwe Arise.

He said NGOs -- many of which are also Western-funded -- and the MDCs were"natural allies" with "more reason to work together than fight against each other".

In light of this, he hinted at other prospects for President Mugabe's removal from office,including a "popular uprising", "Mugabe's sudden, unexpected death" and a militarycoup.

He mentioned the possibility of former South African president Thabo Mbekifacilitating a coalition government led by Zanu-PF.

Observers yesterday said the revelations showed the MDCs were mere pawns in theAmerican scheme to direct Zimbabwe's internal affairs.

Others noted the arrogance with which America gave itself the mandate to determinewho should lead.

Controversy stalked Dell since his posting to Harare in 2004 until his unceremoniousdeparture in 2007, when he left for Afghanistan where America is bogged down in amilitary quagmire of its own making.

Before coming to Zimbabwe, Dell had been posted to other places where the US hasmeddled in internal affairs with disastrous consequences -- Kosovo and Angola.

Dell was in October 2005 detained by security forces after trespassing into a restrictedarea of the National Botanical Gardens, after which he tried to provoke a diplomaticincident.

He also travelled to areas outside the capital without Foreign Affairs clearance as is thenorm the world over, and had a brush with the police in Mashonaland Central.

In November 2005, the Government summoned Dell for a dressing down in which hewas told to behave or pack his bags.

A similar riot act was read to him and other Western diplomats in March 2007.



Dell left in July 2007 when his term expired. He left without bidding farewell toPresident Mugabe, as per diplomatic etiquette.------------------Mbeki Bias for Mugabe Highlighted in Leaked Diplomatic Reports (SW Radio Africa

- London)

The United States former ambassador to Zimbabwe, Christopher Dell, highlighted whathe felt was former South African President Thabo Mbeki's bias for Mugabe and ZANUPF during his mediation efforts in 2008.

On Sunday the WikiLeaks website released over 250 000 damaging documents made upof US diplomatic and intelligence reports from around the world. According to oneconfidential 2007 diplomatic report, Ambassador Dell said 'Mbeki has always favoredstability and in his mind this means a ZANU PF led GNU (Government of National

Unity), with perhaps a few MDC additions.'

He continued by saying; 'This solution is more likely to prolong than resolve the crisisand we must guard against letting Pretoria dictate an outcome which perpetuates thestatus quo at the expense of real change and reform.' This revelation confirmed whatmany Zimbabweans believed, Mbeki wanted to ensure Mugabe retained power under ahalf baked power sharing deal, despite Mugabe losing elections.

Ambassador Dell went on to give his blunt assessment of Zimbabwe's political leaders.He said of Mugabe; 'He has survived for so long because he is more clever and more

ruthless than any other politician in Zimbabwe. To give the devil his due, he is abrilliant tactician and has long thrived on his ability to abruptly change the rules of thegame, radicalize the political dynamic and force everyone else to react to his agenda.'

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai got a mixed review from the diplomat who said; 'Heis a brave, committed man and, by and large, a democrat. He is also the only player onthe scene right now with real star quality and the ability to rally the masses. ButTsvangirai is also a flawed figure, not readily open to advice, indecisive and withquestionable judgment in selecting those around him.'

He went on to say the MDC leader was; '....the indispensable element for oppositionsuccess, but possibly an albatross around their necks once in power.

In short, he is a kind of Lech Walesa character: Zimbabwe needs him, but should notrely on his executive abilities to lead the country's recovery.'

Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara was described as 'young and ambitious,attracted to radical, anti-western rhetoric and smart as a whip. But, in many respects



he's a light-weight who has spent too much time reading U.S. campaign messagingmanuals and too little thinking about the real issues.'

Mutambara's Secretary General in the party, Welshman Ncube, was described as; '....adeeply divisive and destructive player in the opposition ranks and the sooner he is

pushed off the stage, the better. But he is useful to many, including the regime andSouth Africa, so is probably a cross to be borne for some time yet.'

The Ambassador also bemoaned what he described as the lack of any real talent in theMDC, saying Tendai Biti and Nelson Chamisa were the only exceptions. 'The greatsaving grace of the opposition is likely to be found in the Diaspora. Most of Zimbabwe'sbest professionals, entrepreneurs, businessmen and women, etc., have fled the country.They are the opposition's natural allies.'

On Monday SW Radio Africa spoke the US Embassy spokesperson in Harare, Sharon

Hudson Dean, who told us the diplomatic 'cables' as they are called do not reflect theofficial US government position. She said these were part of the everyday 'conversation'between the ambassador on the ground and the US government.

MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa meanwhile said they would not rush intocommenting, as they wanted to seek the official word from the US government on theleaked documents. 'I cannot just shoot from the hip,' he said while promising the partywould issue a response at the appropriate time.------------------ Wikileaks: Ncube accuses US of plot to kill him (New Zimbabwe)

Industry and Commerce Minister Welshman Ncube has accused the United States of aplot to assassinate him after a leaked cable from its former ambassador to Zimbabwerecommended that he be ´pushed off stageµ.

Ncube said Ambassador Christopher Dell·s 2007 cable, posted on the whistle blowerwebsite Wikileaks, showed the United States· ´extensiveµ and ´deepµ interference inZimbabwe·s domestic affairs.

As the United States battled to contain the fallout from the leaking of some 251,000diplomatic communications from 274 embassies, the release of Dell·s classifiedcommunication has opened a new diplomatic fault line in Harare.

In it, Dell said Ncube ´has proven to be a deeply divisive and destructive player in theopposition ranksµ, in the context of the 2005 split in the main opposition Movement forDemocratic Change.



Dell, who wanted opposition politicians and civic groups to rally behind MorganTsvangirai, added cryptically: ´The sooner he is pushed off the stage, the better.µ

Ncube said he was in no doubt that Dell was soliciting his assassination.In an angry telephone outburst from Harare, Ncube stormed: Í·m a politician and my

future rests in the hands of voters who can vote for me, or choose not to vote for me.

´But when I lose an election, I don·t leave the stage but continue fighting over ideas. Soif Dell is proposing that I be taken off stage, how do you do that without killing me?µ

Ncube said he expected correspondence like Dell·s cable from án ambassador of afascist stateµ.He added: Ít is quite surprising and shocking that a country which is supposed to be aleading democracy in the world would behave in the manner in which its ambassadorto Harare behaved.

´He was seeking to determine on behalf of the people of Zimbabwe which leadersshould lead the country and interfering so extensively and so deeply in the internalaffairs of Zimbabwe that he had no problem recommending literally the assassinationof leaders the Americans don·t like.

Ánd their reason for not liking those leaders being that they refused to be part of theirpolitics of puppetry in Zimbabwe.µ

No comment was immediately available from US embassy officials in Harare.

Zimbabwe comes 20th out of 274 on the Wikileaks website cable volumes ranking ²with more diplomatic chatter than Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The website says over the coming weeks and months, it will release 1,542 classifieddocuments on Zimbabwe, 1,417 unclassified and 39 secret files.------------------ Wikileaks Reveals U.S. Role in June 12 Crisis (Leadership - Abuja)

Abuja ³ Wikileaks, an international non-profit media organisation, has revealed theUnited States of America's role in the June 12, 1993, election that was annulled by themilitary. The report, which recently released over 251,000 US embassy cables givingaccounts of the US State Department's correspondence with its missions abroad, saidthat significant investments were made to midwife democracy in Nigeria in 1993.

The documents revealed the US role in the 1993 general elections and the June 12impasse.



The documents further revealed that most of the non-governmental organisations(NGOs) that were in the fore front for the actualisation of the June 12 election weresponsored by the US embassy in Lagos to mobilize Nigerians against the military junta.

Notable among the NGOs, the report said, was the one spearheaded by "a notable

medical practitioner and human rights activist." One of the disclosures made in thecable from the embassy to the State Department advised mobilisation of most of therights groups financially to enable them produce counter-government measures in theevent that the June 12 election was annulled.

The report said that this cable was believed to be the turning point of the US against theGeneral Ibrahim Babangida administration and subsequent sanctions on the Abacha-led junta.

Also contained in the Wikileaks were the concerns expressed in a cable report to the

State Department from the US embassy in London indicating as well the concerns of theCommonwealth over the then President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua's failing health andeventual death.

The reports had advised on contingency arrangements for Nigeria as there may beimpending political and constitutional crisis at the death of Yar'Adua.------------------U.S. Diplomats Talking of Yar'Adua's Death in June 2009 (Daily Trust)

London and Abuja ³ Commonwealth officials were in June 2009 anticipating that a

"constitutional crisis" would befall Nigeria because of President Umaru Yar'adua's"sudden death", according to secret US diplomatic cables posted by whistle blowerWikileaks yesterday.

The website released 251,287 documents detailing what it calls US 'spying' activitiesaround the world.

One of the correspondences from the US embassy in London dated June 11, 2009, elevenmonths before Yar'adua died, quoted a Commonwealth official as saying that the groupwas "keeping a watchful eye on Nigeria because of the constitutional crisis that couldensue if President Yar'adua dies."

The cable said during a discussion with an American diplomat same day,Commonwealth Political Director Amitav Banerji "indicated the Commonwealth iskeeping a watchful eye on Nigeria because of the constitutional crisis that could ensue ifPresident Yar'adua dies."



The leaked documents also show that the US government asked its officials in theregion to compile information on African leaders in the Great Lakes region, their closeassociates and heads of their key institutions.

They include information on the health, background, control and views of leaders like

Yoweri Museveni, Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Joseph Kabila (DR Congo) and PierreNkurunzinza (Burundi).

Information was also required on their relationship with each other "opinions towardthe US, training history, ethnicity (tribal and/or clan), and language skills of key andemerging political, military, intelligence, opposition, ethnic, religious, and businessleaders. Data should include email addresses, telephone and fax numbers, fingerprints,facial images, DNA, and iris scans".

At the United Nations, Washington also wanted credit card numbers, email addresses,

phone, fax and pager numbers and even frequent-flyer account numbers of figures likeUN boss Ban Ki Moon.

For permanent representatives like Dr Rugunda, also needed was "biographic andbiometric information". America's main intelligence services, the CIA, the Secret Serviceand the FBI were included in the "reporting and collection needs" cable alongside theState Department.

The directive is likely to spark questions about the legality of the operation and aboutwhether state department diplomats are expected to spy.

------------------Ahoy Washington, Need Advice: Blackwater Plans Pirate Hunt (New York Times)

In late 2008, Blackwater Worldwide, already under fire because of accusations of abusesby its security guards in Iraq and Afghanistan, reconfigured a 183-foot oceanographicresearch vessel into a pirate-hunting ship for hire and then began looking for businessfrom shipping companies seeking protection from Somali pirates. The company·s chiefexecutive officer, Erik Prince, was planning a trip to Djibouti for a promotional event inMarch 2009, and Blackwater was hoping that the American Embassy there would helpout, according to a secret State Department cable.

But with the Obama administration just weeks old, American diplomats in Djiboutifaced a problem. They are supposed to be advocates for American businesses, but thiswas Blackwater, a company that Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton hadproposed banning from war zones when she was a presidential candidate.

The embassy ´would appreciate Department·s guidance on the appropriate level ofengagement with Blackwater,µ wrote James C. Swan, the American ambassador in



Djibouti, in a cable sent on Feb. 12, 2009. Blackwater·s plans to enter the anti-piracybusiness have been previously reported, but not the American government·s concernabout the endeavor.

According to that cable, Blackwater had outfitted its United States-flagged ship with

.50-caliber machine guns and a small, unarmed drone aircraft. The ship, named theMcArthur, would carry a crew of 33 to patrol the Gulf of Aden for 30 days beforereturning to Djibouti to resupply.

And the company had already determined its rules of engagement. ´Blackwater doesnot intend to take any pirates into custody, but will use lethal force against pirates ifnecessary,µ the cable said.

At the time, the company was still awaiting approvals from Blackwater lawyers for itsplanned operations, since Blackwater had informed the embassy there was ´no

precedent for a paramilitary operation in a purely commercial environment.µ

Lawsuits filed later by crew members on the McArthur made life on the ship soundlittle improved from the days of Blackbeard.

One former crew member said, according to legal documents, that the ship·s captain,who had been drinking during a port call in Jordan, ordered him ´placed in ironsµ(handcuffed to a towel rack) after he was accused of giving an unauthorized interviewto his hometown newspaper in Minnesota. The captain, according to the lawsuit, alsothreatened to place the sailor in a straitjacket. Another crew member, who is black,

claimed in court documents that he was repeatedly subjected to racial epithets.

In the end, Blackwater Maritime Security Services found no treasure in the pirate-chasing business, never attracting any clients. And the Obama administration chose notto sever the American government·s relationship with the North Carolina-based firm,which has collected more than $1 billion in security contracts in Iraq and Afghanistansince 2001. Blackwater renamed itself Xe Services, and earlier this year the companywon a $100 million contract from the Central Intelligence Agency to protect the spyagency·s bases in Afghanistan.------------------Djibouti cleared Blackwater to kill pirates (afrol News)

The government of Djibouti permitted the controversial private US security firmBlackwater "to operate an armed ship from the port of Djibouti" and to "use lethal forceagainst pirates."



The permission was given in February 2009, it is revealed in a cable from the USEmbassy in Djibouti, published by WikiLeaks today. Blackwater was to launch itsprivate armed pirate hunt in March 2009, it was reported.

US Ambassador James Swan, residing in the key US allied country Djibouti since

October 2008, was informed about the Blackwater-Djibouti agreement by RobertEmmett Downey, Blackwater Worldwide's Development Manager for Africa. MrDowney said he had received the permission to operate an armed ship by Djibouti'shead of national security and intelligence services Hassan Said Khaireh.

"This is the only such arrangement so far that Blackwater has made with a hostgovernment in the region, but Blackwater will likely engage Oman and Kenya in thefuture," Ambassador Swan was told.

Blackwater, which has been involved in power abuse scandals in Iraq and Afghanistan,

is the world's largest private security company, often described as "mercenaries actingabove the law" by human rights groups opposing to a privatisation of militaryoperations.

Little has until now been known about Blackwater's engagement in Africa in generaland in the fight against Somali pirates in particular. The WikiLeaks revelation aboutDjibouti's willingness to engage the company is expected to create strong reactions inEast Africa.

According to the information Mr Downey gave to the US embassy in Djibouti last year,

the company had received permission to operate the US-flagged 183-foot ex-researchvessel 'McArthur', which has landing space for two helicopters. "The ship will be armedwith .50-caliber machine guns, and is able to protect a 3-ship convoy," AmbassadorSwan was told. A staff of 33 US citizens would operate the vessel.

The Blackwater vessel was to participate in the international efforts to stop Somalipiracy in the western Indian Ocean. These efforts have been jeopardised by limitedresources and few nations being willing to send their navy vessels on longerassignments. Repeated calls for more resources have gone unanswered, leaving muchspace for Somali piracy operations.

In this power vacuum, Blackwater had found a "business concept," Mr Downeyexplained. Blackwater's business concept was described as "having its armed ship escortother ships requiring protection," according to the embassy report.

"Blackwater's counter-piracy operation does not have any clients yet, but Blackwaterexpects business to develop following a public launch in Djibouti in March [2009] withgovernment of Djibouti officials," Ambassador Swan reported.



This planned "public launch" however never materialised. According to research by the'New York Times', the new Obama government reacted negatively to Blackwater's anti-piracy plans and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made sure the controversialcompany cancelled its Djibouti plans.

Washington probably reacted especially negatively to the Blackwater plans, cleared byDjibouti, as the company announced it would take no prisoners. "Blackwater has nointention of taking any pirates into custody," Ambassador Swan reported. "While theFrench have previously put pirates ashore in Puntland, Downey said Blackwater had noplans to do so, either in Somalia or Kenya," his report added.

Mr Downey had emphasised that "international maritime law allows the use of lethalforce against pirates" and that this was part of Blackwater's business plan. He alsoadmitted that there was "no precedent for a paramilitary operation in a purely

commercial environment."

Djibouti intelligence chief Khaireh had agreed to these terms. The only demand by MrKhaireh for Blackwater to operate its armed ship from Djibouti was the DjiboutianNavy would secure Blackwater's weapons "while ashore in Djibouti."

Ambassador Swan commented that Djibouti authorities probably had approved of thecontroversial deal mainly due to commercial reasons. "Blackwater's presence in Djiboutiwould make it one of the largest US businesses operating in the country," Mr Swancommented.

But the Ambassador also made it clear he was sceptical about the Blackwaterannouncement, saying he would "appreciate [the State] Department's guidance on theappropriate level of engagement with Blackwater." Ms Clinton reportedly advisedagainst the embassy's engagement.------------------ WikiLeaks reveals unflattering view of Kenya. Can US retain its influence? (ChristianScience Monitor)

Since 2009, Obama administration officials have used harsh language and diplomaticpressure in an attempt to promote political reform in Kenya. The pattern continued thisweek with a new demand from Ambassador Michael Ranneberger that the Kenyangovernment ´step up the fight against corruption, and replace Chief Justice EvanGicheru and Attorney General Amos Wako.µ

Ranneberger·s call allows for a partial test of US influence in Kenya: how will thegovernment respond? If the officials step down early, the US will have successfully



flexed diplomatic muscle in one of Africa·s most important countries. If they do not, USprestige could take a hit on the continent.

The Daily Nation has more of Ranneberger¶s remarks:

Mr Ranneberger said two major issues threaten the future stability of development:´The culture of impunity and negative ethnicity.µ

´We have seen in recent weeks a great deal of focus on corruption. Several officials have¶stepped aside·. But we have seen before that ministers have temporarily stepped asidefor alleged wrongdoing only to return in new incarnations. To demonstrate seriousness,actual prosecutions are essential and then imprisonment of those found guilty,µ he said.

He called for corrupt ministers to be jailed.

According to the new Constitution, the CJ must be replaced by February and the AG byAugust of 2011. Mr Ranneberger said speedy action must be taken to find suitablereplacements who can marshall a purge against corruption in government.

´We therefore urge the appointment of a new Attorney General and a new Chief Justiceof the highest repute, and we urge that the Kenya Anti Corruption Commission bestrengthened with additional resources,µ he said.

He said President Obama is watching Kenya·s reform agenda ´with a sense ofurgency,µ adding that the US is Kenya·s largest development partner contributing over

$1 billion annually.

Although Gicheru is out within four months, and Wako within a year, no matter what,Ranneberger seems to want them to leave early and perhaps to face trial as well. Thatposture represents an escalation over his earlier public pronouncements: ´WhileAmbassador Ranneberger has previously called for strict vetting for future Justice andAttorney General appointments, this is the first time he has called for the two officials tostep down.µ

Ranneberger·s speech comes at a potentially awkward moment in US-Kenyan relations,as the latest WikiLeaks revelations include documents from the US Embassy in Nairobithat are unflattering to Kenya:

Leaked reports from the US embassy in Nairobi depict Kenya as ´a swamp offlourishing corruption,µ the German magazine Der Spiegel reported on Sunday.



´Almost every single sentence in the embassy reports speaks with disdain of thegovernment of President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga,µ adds DerSpiegel.

These documents will not necessarily damage the relationship between Washington

and Nairobi, and some high Kenyan officials are sympathetic to Washington·sperspective. The head of Kenya·s Anti-Corruption Authority, PLO Lumumba, indicatedsome agreement with Ranneberger·s perspective in an interview with VOA. But Iwonder whether other Kenyan officials, including the president and prime minister,might find offensive the idea that Washington views Kenya with contempt, and Iwonder whether they might feel that the US ambassador overstepped his role by callingfor the ouster of specific government officials.

In any case, Washington·s views on Kenya are becoming clear both through officials·own remarks and through leaks. Now Kenyan authorities will have to decide how to

respond.

[UPDATE]:

Now we·re seeing some fallout from Wikileaks in Kenya.

VOA:

Kenya says it is surprised and shocked by reported comments about the countrycontained in leaked US diplomatic memos.

The German magazine Der Spiegel says the cables depict Kenya as a ´swamp ofcorruption.µ

Kenyan government spokesman Alfred Mutua says that if the report is true, thecomments are malicious and a total misrepresentation of Kenya and its leaders.

Mutua says the top U.S. diplomat for Africa, Johnnie Carson, called Kenyan PrimeMinister Raila Odinga on Monday to apologize for what is expected to come out. Mutuaadds, however, that the US has not detailed what the cables say or for what it isapologizing.

If you tell someone what to do, and then they start to think that you hold them incontempt, are they more or less likely to do what you wanted?------------------U.S. to Govt - Sorry for What is Coming (Daily Nation)



Nairobi ³ The US government has apologised to Kenya over comments by someAmerican diplomats on the country's leadership.

US assistant secretary of State for African Affairs Johnny Carson, who served asambassador to Nairobi during part of the period covered by the leaked cables,

telephoned Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Monday.

Major milestones

There are 1,821 cables on Kenya in the documents being released on the WikiLeakswebsite covering the period 1996 to February this year.

American ambassadors who served in Kenya during that period are Aurelia Brazeal,Prudence Bushnell, Mr Carson, William Bellamy and Michael Ranneberger.

Major milestones of the time include former President Daniel arap Moi's re-election in1997, his retirement after the 2002 General Election, emergence of the Narc governmentduring the first coalition between President Kibaki and Mr Odinga, the 2005referendum, the 2007 election and subsequent violence and the National Accord.

It is expected that some of the documents contain candid and unflattering remarks byAmerican diplomats on President Kibaki, Mr Odinga, Mr Moi and other leaders of thetime.

The government on Tuesday held an emergency meeting in the morning and came out

fighting following the leaks.

Sources close to the high level meeting, which was chaired by Mr Odinga, said thatleaders were shocked that Kenya was only alerted to the contents of the WikiLeaksleaks by Mr Carson, who apologised for the picture they were to portray.

Sources said those at the meeting wondered why the US, which had got wind of theleaks weeks ago, informed other countries, especially those in Europe, even before thecontents were published by the British and American media.

Those at the meeting are said to have agreed that the government would no longer playquiet diplomacy in the face of actions by foreign countries which "bordered on maliceand outright political sabotage".

This was the message that was delivered by the Government Spokesman during aquickly convened briefing at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre duringwhich he described the reports depicting Kenya as a "swamp of flourishing corruption"as "totally malicious and a total misrepresentation of our country and our leaders."



"We are surprised and shocked by these revelations," Dr Mutua said.

He said the American government alerted Kenya beforehand on the expected release ofthe leaked documents touching on the country through Mr Carson who called Mr

Odinga on Monday afternoon.

"The US assistant secretary of state for African Affairs, Johnny Carson called our PrimeMinister yesterday (Monday) and apologised for what is expected to come out," DrMutua said. "The US government indicated they are sorry for the content in the leakeddocuments," he added.

He, however, said Mr Carson had not told Mr Odinga the contents of the leakeddocuments and as such, the government did not know what the US government wasexactly sorry about.

The diplomatic cables released by whistleblower site WikiLeaks on Kenya are set toshed light on major historical developments in the country and how the US perceivedthe two coalition partners.

Among the events, which Kenyans will soon know what the US knew about are the1998 US embassy and Kikambala Paradise hotel bombings, 2002 and 2007 GeneralElections, the 2007/2008 post-election violence and those personalities banned fromvisiting America in connection with the post-election violence and drug trafficking.

The cables will also have details of how the US viewed retired President Moi and hisregime. The cables' release was the third mass WikiLeaks release of classifieddocuments since it published 77,000 secret US files on the Afghan conflict in July, and400,000 documents about the Iraq war in October.------------------Kenya calls US 'swamp of graft' cable 'malicious' (Associated Press)

NAIROBI, Kenya ³ Kenya's government spokesman said Tuesday that a U.S.characterization of the country as a "swamp" of corruption in reports of leakeddiplomatic memos is "malicious" if true.

Alfred Mutua also said that the top U.S. diplomat for Africa called Kenya's primeminister on Monday to apologize for the leaked memos.

U.S. Embassy spokesman John Haynes said senior State Department officials havecalled senior Kenyan government officials to inform them and to discuss their concerns.He did not elaborate.



The Obama administration has undertaken a worldwide effort to contain damage doneby the release of more than 250,000 U.S. diplomatic cables by the online clearinghouseWikiLeaks.

The lead headline in Kenya's Daily Nation on Tuesday read: "U.S. envoys see Kenya as

a 'swamp' of graft." The Daily Nation relied on a report from the German magazine DerSpiegel, which said Kenya is depicted as "a swamp of flourishing corruption" in one ofthe as-yet unreleased cables.

Mutua said that if the reports are true, "then it is totally malicious and a totalmisrepresentation of our country and our leaders. We are surprised and shocked bythese revelations."

He said U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnny Carson called PrimeMinister Raila Odinga to offer an apology.

"The U.S. government indicated they are sorry for the content in the leaked documents,"he said. "They, however, have not told us what the documents say and what exactlythey are sorry for."

Kenya's government is facing several allegations of high-level corruption.

Earlier this month, the U.S. banned four senior Kenyan government officials and aprominent Kenyan businessman from traveling to the U.S. because they are suspectedof being involved in drug trafficking. Ambassador Michael Ranneberger has said the

decision was based on reliable and corroborative reports.

Last month, Kenya's foreign affairs minister resigned to allow investigations intoallegations of a multimillion dollar scandal involving five Kenyan embassies in Africa,Europe and Asia that was uncovered by a parliamentary committee.------------------Govt Hits Back At U.S. Graft Claims (Daily Nation)

Nairobi ³ Kenya has reacted angrily at leaked reports from US describing it as corruptand accused unnamed foreign powers of spending Sh1.6 billion to destabilise thegovernment.

Government spokesman Dr Alfred Mutua termed leaked reports attributed to the USembassy in Nairobi describing Kenya as a "swamp of flourishing corruption" as "totallymalicious and a total misrepresentation of our country and our leaders".

"We are surprised and shocked by these revelations," Dr Mutua said at a pressconference Tuesday.



He said that the US had alerted Kenya beforehand of the expected release of the leakeddocuments touching on the country through US assistant secretary of State for AfricanAffairs, Johnny Carson who had contacted Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Mondayafternoon.

"The US assistant secretary of state for African Affairs, Johnny Carson called our PrimeMinister yesterday (Monday) and apologised for what is expected to come out," DrMutua said.

"The US government indicated they are sorry for the content in the leaked documents,"he added.

He, however, stated that Mr Carson had not told Mr Odinga the contents of the leakeddocuments and what the US government was exactly sorry about.

Dr Mutua fell short of directly accusing the US of funding a campaign to cause unrest inthe country with a view to toppling the grand coalition government.

He claimed that the "foreign powers" behind the plot to topple the government hadchanneled in excess of US$ 20million (Sh1.6 million) to youth groups in the countryover the last few months.

"The Kenyan Government is concerned with foreign attempts to create despondencyagainst the government and the country in the guise of youth empowerment," he said.

"The Government is aware that a lot of money has been allocated to fund the youth tocause an uprising against our country and lead us into turmoil in an attempt to install anew leadership structure," he went on.

He added that the government was monitoring the issue "keenly" and will not allow"outsiders" to ruin the peace and stability in the country.------------------Spokesman Alleges U.S. Plot 'To Topple Coalition' (Daily Nation)

Nairobi ³ Government Spokesman Alfred Mutua on Tuesday fell short of directlyaccusing the US Government of funding a campaign to cause unrest in the country.

He claimed that the "foreign powers" behind a plot to topple the government hadchannelled more than $20 million (Sh1.6 billion) to youth groups over the last fewmonths.



"The government is concerned over foreign attempts to create despondency against it inthe guise of youth empowerment," he said.

"The government is aware that a lot of money has been allocated to fund the youth tocause an uprising against our country in an attempt to install a new leadership

structure," he went on.

He added that the government was monitoring the issue "keenly" and will not allow"outsiders" to ruin peace and stability in the country.

Sources said the government was concerned that the "unaccountable funds" could beused for any purpose against the government.

Dr Mutua declined to confirm or deny whether the "foreign powers" he was referring towas the US government, which has been funding a number of programmes, mainly on

governance, reforms and youth empowerment through its aid arm, the Usaid.

He also declined to state whether the foreign powers wanted to oust the country'sleadership through democratic or undemocratic means.

On its official website, Usaid confirms that it is actively involved in programmes thathelp in advancing good governance and citizen participation in Kenya.

"Following the violence after the 2007 elections, a new democratic transition including anew Constitution has made improved governance a top priority for Usaid, since future

peace and stability depend on it," the aid agency notes on the website.

Dr Mutua said it would be premature to react to the released WikiLeaks reports untilthey are made public.

"Genuine friends should not tell you everything is okay on one hand and on the otherhand say the opposite or initiate programmes against you," he noted while alsoinsisting that the ties between Kenya and US remain cordial.------------------Americans Want to Overthrow Government (Nairobi Star)

Nairobi ³ Kenya yesterday implied there was an attempt by the United States tooverthrow the government.

In a statement reacting to the imminent release of 1800 diplomatic cables from the USembassy in Nairobi, Government spokesman Dr Alfred Mutua declared, "Thegovernment is aware that a lot of money has been allocated to fund the youth to causean uprising against our country and lead us into turmoil in an attempt to install a new



leadership structure." Mutua released the statement as US Under Secretary of StateMaria Otero and ambassador Michael Ranneberger met representatives of the NationalYouth Forum, which consists of over 60 national youth organisations, at theambassador's residence in Muthaiga, Nairobi.

"The Kenyan government is concerned with foreign attempts to create despondencyagainst the government and the country in the guise of youth empowerment," Mutua'sstatement declared.

"The Government is monitoring these events keenly and will not allow outsiders to ruinthe peace and stability we are enjoying," he stated.

Mutua said the United States had contacted the government to express regret over thecables.

"The US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Johnnie Carson, called ourPrime Minister yesterday and apologised for what is expected to come out. The USGovernment indicated they are sorry for the content in the leaked documents. Theyhowever have not told us what the documents say and what exactly they are sorry for,"said Mutua.

aThe leaked reports depict Kenya as "a swamp of flourishing corruption," according tothe German magazine Der Spiegel. "Almost every single sentence in the embassyreports speaks with disdain of the government of President Mwai Kibaki and PrimeMinister Raila Odinga"

"It is important to make it very clear that Kenya has had a very good relationship withthe United States," stated the Government Spokesman.

He added, "We do not know the details of the leaked cables, but if what is reported istrue then it is totally malicious and a total misrepresentation of our country and ourleaders. We are surprised and shocked by these revelations."

The government statement adds, "It would be premature at this stage for us to commenton the contents of the leaks until we see them. What we know is that true friends shouldtell you the truth all the time and should not tell you everything is okay on one handand on the other hand say the opposite or initiate programs against you."

The 1800 Kenyan cables have not yet been released as the Wikileaks website is releasingthe 250,000 American diplomatic cables from around the world only bit by bit.

The Kenyan cables are however all from 2005 up until February 2010 apart from onecable from May 1996.



The cables will reveal what the US really thought of the coalition government and therole America played in the disputed December 27, 2007 election.

Following yesterday's meeting with the youth group, Otero underscored the important

role the youth in Kenya must play.

"The challenges of a nation are daunting to even the most veteran leaders, among themending a culture of impunity, mitigating ethic conflict, closing the inequality gap, andpromoting development among all Kenyans. But with the future in the hands of theseyoung leaders, I am confident that progress will be made," Otero said in a pressstatement.

Washington is spending US$47 million in its 'Yes Youth Can!' initiative to empowerKenyan youth to achieve a greater voice in national reform and create new employment

opportunities.

It includes a $12 million fund called 'Youth Innovate for Change' to provide youngpeople with capital for investment.

In recent months Ranneberger has travelled around Kenya meeting youth groups.

The US is furious about the Wikileaks which affect 240 American embassies anddiplomatic missions around the world.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said yesterday that the leaks were "an attack on theinternational community" and not just the US.

In the first response to the leaked cables by a senior member of the Obamaadministration, she said her government "deeply regrets" the release.

A grim-faced Clinton insisted America was taking "aggressive steps to hold responsiblethose who stole this information".

Other American politicians were much angrier with one even suggesting thatWikiLeaks be classified as a terrorist organisation.------------------Stop Political Tours, Raila Tells U.S. Envoy (Daily Nation)

Nairobi ³ Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Wednesday asked US ambassador MichaelRanneberger to stop his political activities among the youth.



Relations between Washington and Nairobi are tense following revelations ofunflattering cables written by US embassy staff on the Kenyan political elite.

The leaked cables are said to show that embassy staff regard Kenya as "a flourishingswamp of corruption" and to regard with disdain both President Kibaki and Mr

Odinga.

On Wednesday, the PM advised the envoy to use diplomatic channels to mobilise theyouth to participate in politics rather than going out and doing it himself.

Government Spokesman Alfred Mutua on Tuesday sensationally accused an unnamedforeign government of paying the youth to topple the government.

Mr Ranneberger on Wednesday denied funding the youth to undermine thegovernment and described relations between Nairobi and Washington as some of the

strongest in Africa.

At the same time, Mr Odinga revealed details of the phone call he received from a topUS diplomat warning Kenya of "unpleasant" information that will soon become public.

More than 250,000 secret memos have been stolen from the Department of State, most ofthem instructions to its diplomats and their honest reports about the countries to whichthey are posted.

The publication of the cables has caused America embarrassment across the globe.

Mr Odinga said the government was treating the leaks, by the whistleblower websiteWikileaks, as US government internal communication and was not threatened by them.

He told Parliament that the government does not panic because of leaked information,but now the administration knows what "some of our friends think about us."

However, he described the information as "helpful and positive criticism".

He said he was unaware of any plans to overthrow the government. "The governmentcannot panic because of some money being given to Kenyan youth in the ongoing USempowerment programme," the PM said.

"What is Sh1.5 billion? We as a government are putting Sh5 billion to support the youthwhile the World Bank has given Sh61 billion towards the same," he said.



But he cautioned that such projects must follow the proper channels. "The governmentis stable politically. It will take more than hiring a few youth here and there tooverthrow the government."

He insisted that whatever the US does in Kenya has to be within the framework of

cooperation between the two countries.

"It is not proper for an envoy to recruit youth and put them somewhere and tell themwhat to do," the PM added.

He was responding to a statement by Mr William Kabogo (Juja, Narc Kenya) who haddemanded a full disclosure of the conversation between the PM and the US assistantsecretary of state for African Affairs, Mr Johnnie Carson.

Mr Odinga said Mr Carson called him to warn him that some information would come

out over the next few days and it was not pleasant.

He said Mr Carson informed him that somebody had hacked the US governmentwebsite connecting embassies to its office in Washington and that "the information wasnot going to be pleasant."

"I have no fear something untoward will come out other than what Kenyans alreadyknow," Mr Odinga said.

On Mr Carson's call, the PM added: "He said I was calling to make you be aware of

some information that will be coming out in the next few days. He said that some of theinformation may not be very pleasant because of the way they (US embassies)communicate with their headquarters."

Press Coverage African Reaction to Wikileaks Release December 2 2010

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