WikiLeaks: Mugabe snubbed Museveni phone call

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe refuses to take calls from "most" African leaders because "they are not his age-mates", according to a leaked United States cable by former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
The "secret" cable released by the whistleblower website WikiLeaks on Wednesday says Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni also told United States Assistant Secretary Jendayi Frazer in a June 2008 meeting that Mugabe had "failed and is embarrassing liberation leaders".
"He (Museveni) noted that Mugabe is unwilling to take calls from most African leaders saying they are not his age-mates," Rice said in the cable dated June 18, 2008.
She adds: "Museveni thought Zimbabwe's faltering economy and Mugabe's poor understanding of the private sector were at the root of Zimbabwe's political problems.
"He said a discussion of the economy would provide an entry point to tell Mugabe that he has failed and is embarrassing liberation leaders."
Museveni met Frazer while attending his son's graduation from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Their meeting came soon after Mugabe had lost a first round vote to Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, but before a run-off election which was marred by violence.
"Museveni told Frazer that he spoke to Mugabe by telephone after the first round of elections. During his call, Mugabe told Museveni he was confident he would win in the second round of elections," the cable says.
"Mugabe told Museveni he did not want election monitors from countries that were 'hostile' to Zimbabwe, but wouldn't mind observers from other countries. Frazer thought thousands of monitors were necessary, especially in rural areas, to encourage people to vote.
"Frazer advised Museveni that she would ask the U.S. Ambassador in Zimbabwe how many elections monitors he believes are needed." Museveni's relationship with Mugabe has always been a frayed one. At a meeting of African leaders in Paris in 1998, hosted by former President Chirac, the two clashed over the DRC war and alleged attempts by Museveni and Rwanda's Paul Kagame to build a 'Hima-Tutsi empire'. A Ugandan newspaper reported Mugabe telling Museveni at the meeting: "I have always heard that you are a very intelligent and popular man. I now think your intelligence is quite exaggerated."Meanwhile, Rice's cable says Museveni also discussed Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi, describing him as a "problem for the continent".
Museveni revealed that he feared Qadhafi may order his plane to be shot down and requested American radar help.Rice wrote: "President Museveni said Qadhafi 'is a problem' for the continent and is pushing for the creation of a 'United States of Africa' to be governed by one president. Museveni thought Qadhafi's plan is neither feasible nor desirable, given cultural and linguistic differences across the continent.
"Rather than the development of a unitary African state, Museveni said he is pushing Qadhafi and other African leaders to develop regional political federations and markets that support common objectives."
Museveni is reported telling Frazer that Qadhafi continues to "intimidate" small African countries through bribes and other pressure.
"As a result of Libya's actions, small West African countries have been afraid to participate fully or speak out during international meetings at the United Nations, African Union, and other forums," the cable says.
Museveni, whose body guards clashed in a massive brawl with Qadhafi's security during an African Union summit in Uganda in July, "noted that tensions with Qadhafi are growing and as a result he worries that Qadhafi will attack his plane while flying over international airspace".
"Museveni requested that the USG [United States Government] and GOU [Government of Uganda] coordinate to provide additional air radar information when he flies over international waters," Rice said.