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