Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
01HARARE2576
2001-08-31 09:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Harare
Cable title:
BONGO CANCELS TRIP TO HARARE AT LAST MINUTE
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. CONFIDENTIAL PTO6567 PAGE 01 HARARE 02576 310936Z ACTION AF-00 INFO LOG-00 NP-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 DODE-00 DS-00 VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 VCE-00 M-00 NSAE-00 DSCC-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /000W ------------------1943CC 310936Z /38 FM AMEMBASSY HARARE TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9612 INFO AMEMBASSY LIBREVILLE
C O N F I D E N T I A L HARARE 002576
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF A/S KANSTEINER FROM CDA RICHARD ROTH
E.O. 12958: DECL. 08/30/11
TAGS: PREL ZI
SUBJECT: BONGO CANCELS TRIP TO HARARE AT LAST MINUTE
CLASSIFIED BY POLITICAL SECTION CHIEF MATT HARRINGTON. REASONS:
1.5 (B) AND (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L HARARE 002576
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF A/S KANSTEINER FROM CDA RICHARD ROTH
E.O. 12958: DECL. 08/30/11
TAGS: PREL ZI
SUBJECT: BONGO CANCELS TRIP TO HARARE AT LAST MINUTE
CLASSIFIED BY POLITICAL SECTION CHIEF MATT HARRINGTON. REASONS:
1.5 (B) AND (D).
1. (U) DRC PRESIDENT JOSEPH KABILA OFFICIALLY OPENED THE 2001
HARARE AGRICULTURAL SHOW ON AUGUST 29. ACCORDING TO A PRESS
REPORT, GABONESE PRESIDENT OMAR BONGO WAS SCHEDULED TO OPEN THE
EVENT BUT CALLED OFF HIS TRIP AT SHORT NOTICE. GEORGE CHARAMBA, A
SPOKESMAN IN THE PRESIDENT'S OFFICE, TOLD JOURNALISTS THAT BONGO
CANCELLED HIS PARTICIPATION "AT THE LAST MINUTE...BECAUSE HE WAS
COMMITTED ELSEWHERE."
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 HARARE 02576 310936Z
2. (C) HENRY MUKONOWESHURO, A DIPLOMAT IN THE FOREIGN MINISTRY'S
AMERICAS OFFICE, TOLD POLITICAL SECTION CHIEF ON AUGUST 31 THAT
BONGO HAD NEVER COMMITTED TO ATTENDING THE FAIR. IN A WRITTEN
RESPONSE DECLINING THE GOZ INVITATION, BONGO REPORTEDLY CITED
"PRIOR COMMITMENTS OF WHICH HE HAD BEEN UNAWARE."
3. (C) COMMENT: WE SUSPECT THAT BONGO, WHO IS REPORTEDLY
SENSITIVE ABOUT HIS STATURE AS AN AFRICAN STATESMAN AND MEDIATOR,
MAY WANT TO KEEP SOME DISTANCE BETWEEN HIMSELF AND MUGABE, WHOSE
IMAGE CONTINUES TO DECLINE ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE. BONGO'S
"PRIOR COMMITMENT" MAY WELL BE TO HIS OWN IMAGE. WE WOULD WELCOME
EMBASSY LIBREVILLE'S THINKING ON THIS ISSUE.
ROTH
CONFIDENTIAL
>
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF A/S KANSTEINER FROM CDA RICHARD ROTH
E.O. 12958: DECL. 08/30/11
TAGS: PREL ZI
SUBJECT: BONGO CANCELS TRIP TO HARARE AT LAST MINUTE
CLASSIFIED BY POLITICAL SECTION CHIEF MATT HARRINGTON. REASONS:
1.5 (B) AND (D).
1. (U) DRC PRESIDENT JOSEPH KABILA OFFICIALLY OPENED THE 2001
HARARE AGRICULTURAL SHOW ON AUGUST 29. ACCORDING TO A PRESS
REPORT, GABONESE PRESIDENT OMAR BONGO WAS SCHEDULED TO OPEN THE
EVENT BUT CALLED OFF HIS TRIP AT SHORT NOTICE. GEORGE CHARAMBA, A
SPOKESMAN IN THE PRESIDENT'S OFFICE, TOLD JOURNALISTS THAT BONGO
CANCELLED HIS PARTICIPATION "AT THE LAST MINUTE...BECAUSE HE WAS
COMMITTED ELSEWHERE."
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 HARARE 02576 310936Z
2. (C) HENRY MUKONOWESHURO, A DIPLOMAT IN THE FOREIGN MINISTRY'S
AMERICAS OFFICE, TOLD POLITICAL SECTION CHIEF ON AUGUST 31 THAT
BONGO HAD NEVER COMMITTED TO ATTENDING THE FAIR. IN A WRITTEN
RESPONSE DECLINING THE GOZ INVITATION, BONGO REPORTEDLY CITED
"PRIOR COMMITMENTS OF WHICH HE HAD BEEN UNAWARE."
3. (C) COMMENT: WE SUSPECT THAT BONGO, WHO IS REPORTEDLY
SENSITIVE ABOUT HIS STATURE AS AN AFRICAN STATESMAN AND MEDIATOR,
MAY WANT TO KEEP SOME DISTANCE BETWEEN HIMSELF AND MUGABE, WHOSE
IMAGE CONTINUES TO DECLINE ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE. BONGO'S
"PRIOR COMMITMENT" MAY WELL BE TO HIS OWN IMAGE. WE WOULD WELCOME
EMBASSY LIBREVILLE'S THINKING ON THIS ISSUE.
ROTH
CONFIDENTIAL
>