Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LILONGWE238
2006-03-14 14:20:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Lilongwe
Cable title:  

NO FURTHER DIALOGUE WITH NORTH KOREA, SAYS FOREIGN

Tags:  PGOV KDEM MI KN 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO8193
RR RUEHMR
DE RUEHLG #0238 0731420
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 141420Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY LILONGWE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2494
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 0107
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L LILONGWE 000238 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/S GABRIELLE MALLORY
STATE FOR INR/AA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/13/2011
TAGS: PGOV KDEM MI KN
SUBJECT: NO FURTHER DIALOGUE WITH NORTH KOREA, SAYS FOREIGN
MINISTER

REF: A. LILONGWE 32


B. LILONGWE 47

Classified By: Political Officer Tyler Sparks for reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L LILONGWE 000238

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/S GABRIELLE MALLORY
STATE FOR INR/AA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/13/2011
TAGS: PGOV KDEM MI KN
SUBJECT: NO FURTHER DIALOGUE WITH NORTH KOREA, SAYS FOREIGN
MINISTER

REF: A. LILONGWE 32


B. LILONGWE 47

Classified By: Political Officer Tyler Sparks for reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d).


1. (C) The GOM, "has decided that there will be no further
dialogue with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in
connection with the proposed economic cooperation," according
to a letter to Ambassador Eastham dated February 16, from
Minister of Foreign Affairs Davies Katsonga. The letter
offers a debrief on the January visit (reftels) by a North
Korean delegation, ostensibly to discuss DPRK-funded
development projects in Malawi. Katsonga confirmed the
information reported in reftels, and stated his view that the
real reason for the trip centered around the DPRK trying to
solicit international support for its regime.


2. (C) As reported in reftels, Katsonga informed Ambassador
Eastham on January 12 that a delegation from North Korea's
embassy in Pretoria had made an uninvited visit to Malawi.
The two-man delegation was led by a Mr. Ri Il Nam, Minister
at the embassy in South Africa, and was allegedly aimed at
establishing "development projects in various sectors in
Malawi, including irrigation, agriculture, healthcare and
small scale hydro-electric power." However, it quickly
became apparent to the GOM that the DPRK essentially had
nothing to give, and instead was looking for support itself.


3. (C) According to Katsonga, "it was evident that (the DPRK)
is trying to market its human resource, especially medical
doctors, as well as solicit international support in the wake
of mounting pressure due to that country's military
adventures."


4. (C) Katsonga stated (confirming what we had been told by
MFA officials previously, reftel B),that Malawi has decided
to "shelve active links" with the DPRK. We were previously
told that dealing with North Korea is simply not in the best
interests of the GOM, especially when the DPRK doesn't have
anything to put on the table. Post will report on any
further developments.
EASTHAM