Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04LILONGWE333
2004-04-26 13:05:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Lilongwe
Cable title:  

MULUZI WARNS INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OBSERVERS

Tags:  PGOV KDEM PINR MI 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS LILONGWE 000333 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PINR MI
SUBJECT: MULUZI WARNS INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OBSERVERS

REF: A. LILONGWE 326


B. 03 LILONGWE 1202

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000333

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PINR MI
SUBJECT: MULUZI WARNS INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OBSERVERS

REF: A. LILONGWE 326


B. 03 LILONGWE 1202


1. (U) President Muluzi warned international election
observers not to interfere in the electoral process at a
political rally on April 25. Muluzi said the observers' duty
"is not to interfere with the election process and
consequently decampaign (his) government." Claiming to have
names of individuals already wrongfully meddling in the
elections, Muluzi said he will order these individuals to
leave the country if they continue to meddle.


2. (SBU) The President's warning came shortly after the EU
Observer Team, the only international observation team in
country, publicly raised concerns about the ruling United
Democratic Front's (UDF) use of state resources in the
campaign and the state-owned media's continuing bias in favor
of the ruling party (reftel A). EU Deputy Chief Observer
Alister Baird commented to poloff, "While the media has
exaggerated the President's statements, Muluzi should not
have said what he said. The allegations are completely
unfounded." Baird said the EU Observer Team plans to deal
with the problem immediately, before it becomes "a storm in a
tea cup."

COMMENT
--------------

3. (SBU) Muluzi is unlikely to ask any international
observers to leave the country because of the international
political fallout that would ensue. He likely made his
statements to lay the foundation to discredit the EU Team's
final report, which will surely include statements about the
lack of a level playing field in the electoral process.
DOUGHERTY