MALAWI VP OFFERS CONDOLENCES

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000529 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SUBJECT: MALAWI VP OFFERS CONDOLENCES REF(S): A) LILONGWE 0513 B) LILONGWE 0457 ¶1. Vice-President Cassim Chilumpha has described the death of former President Reagan as a great loss not only to the United States but also to the whole world. On June 14, upon returning from funeral services in the U.S. (reftel A), Chilumpha said Reagan was well known for his fight to end communism - a development that indirectly brought changes to Malawi. Chilumpha characterized Reagan as one of the world's greatest leaders. BEGIN QUOTE: "Let's remember that President Ronald Reagan in the late eighties and early nineties together with Margaret Thatcher are the two people that worked tirelessly to see the end of communism. They also fought for human rights and this helped us in Malawi to fight a dictatorship of the former one party regime. Some people didn't know this connection. We must remember that donor countries helped Malawi by putting pressure on the one party regime and the result was freedom and democracy in Malawi." END QUOTE. ¶2. Chilumpha noted that the decision for him to attend the funeral in the U.S. was made by President Mutharika based on the cordial bilateral relationship enjoyed by United States and Malawi. The Vice-President said he also used the trip to meet leaders of countries that have bilateral ties with Malawi such as British Prime Minister Blair, German Chancellor Schroeder, and Secretary of State Powell. Chilumpha said he briefed them on the May general election in Malawi and about plans of the new government. DOUGHERTY