HOPE FOR NACALA WITH NEW GOVERNMENT?

C O N F I D E N T I A L LILONGWE 000514 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/S PLEASE PASS TO OPIC FOR MSHOR E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/09/2014 TAGS: ELTN EINV PGOV PREL MI SUBJECT: HOPE FOR NACALA WITH NEW GOVERNMENT? REF: LILONGWE 494 Classified By: Pol/Econ Officer Peter W. Lord, reasons 1.5 (b/d). ¶1. (C) Ministry of Transport Principal Secretary Francis Chinsinga told emboff on June 9 that former Minister of Finance Friday Jumbe was the reason the Nacala Corridor Direct Agreement with Malawi had not been signed (reftel). Chinsinga said the relevant ministries (Transport, Justice, and Finance) had all recommended that the agreement be signed and confirmed that former President Muluzi had ordered it be signed two weeks before the May 20 elections. Concerned to learn from a June 8 letter from OPIC that there was no basis for the agreement's deadline to be extended, Chinsinga said he planned to do all in his power "to facilitate the signing within one week." He said he plans to open discussions with all relevant GOM ministries and to "influence their political masters" in cabinet as soon as they are appointed, which he expects to happen on June 11. COMMENT -------------- ¶2. (C) While we are encouraged that key civil servants in the relevant ministries support signing the Direct Agreement, the critical factor will be who is appointed to the new cabinet. As soon as the new government is named, we will raise the issue with the appropriate ministers. END COMMENT. DOUGHERTY