Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PRETORIA468
2006-02-06 14:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Pretoria
Cable title:
MBEKI SAYS HE WILL NOT SEEK THIRD TERM
VZCZCXRO7148 RR RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR DE RUEHSA #0468 0371429 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 061429Z FEB 06 FM AMEMBASSY PRETORIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1330 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS PRETORIA 000468
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/S M. TABLER-STONE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM SF
SUBJECT: MBEKI SAYS HE WILL NOT SEEK THIRD TERM
This Cable is Sensitive but Unclassified. Not for Internet
distribution.
UNCLAS PRETORIA 000468
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/S M. TABLER-STONE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM SF
SUBJECT: MBEKI SAYS HE WILL NOT SEEK THIRD TERM
This Cable is Sensitive but Unclassified. Not for Internet
distribution.
1. (U) President Mbeki said in a press interview February 5
that he will not/not seek a third term as South African
President. Mbeki was last elected in 2004 for a second
five-year term. Section 88 of the South African Constitution
limits presidents to two terms of office, and a third term
for Mbeki would have required a constitutional amendment.
Mbeki said the ANC has "taken a stand not to alter the
constitution even with two-thirds majority support in
government."
2. (U) Mbeki's comments put to rest recent speculation about
a third term caused by an initiative of governing alliance
junior partner, the South African National Civic Organization
(SANCO). SANCO head Mlungisi Hlongwane said on January 28
that he would table a motion in the governing alliance to
change the Constitution to remove presidential term limits.
Hlongwane argued that term limits are a European concept and
deny South Africa "the opportunity to sustain development
programmes that had been started." The ANC's other alliance
partners, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU)
and South African Communist Party (SACP),firmly rejected
Hlongwane's suggestion to amend the constitution, as have
most media commentators.
3. (SBU) Comment: While Mbeki rejected the possibility of
running for another term as South African President in 2009,
we note that he did not/not close the door on pursuing a
third term as ANC President in 2007.
TEITELBAUM
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/S M. TABLER-STONE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM SF
SUBJECT: MBEKI SAYS HE WILL NOT SEEK THIRD TERM
This Cable is Sensitive but Unclassified. Not for Internet
distribution.
1. (U) President Mbeki said in a press interview February 5
that he will not/not seek a third term as South African
President. Mbeki was last elected in 2004 for a second
five-year term. Section 88 of the South African Constitution
limits presidents to two terms of office, and a third term
for Mbeki would have required a constitutional amendment.
Mbeki said the ANC has "taken a stand not to alter the
constitution even with two-thirds majority support in
government."
2. (U) Mbeki's comments put to rest recent speculation about
a third term caused by an initiative of governing alliance
junior partner, the South African National Civic Organization
(SANCO). SANCO head Mlungisi Hlongwane said on January 28
that he would table a motion in the governing alliance to
change the Constitution to remove presidential term limits.
Hlongwane argued that term limits are a European concept and
deny South Africa "the opportunity to sustain development
programmes that had been started." The ANC's other alliance
partners, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU)
and South African Communist Party (SACP),firmly rejected
Hlongwane's suggestion to amend the constitution, as have
most media commentators.
3. (SBU) Comment: While Mbeki rejected the possibility of
running for another term as South African President in 2009,
we note that he did not/not close the door on pursuing a
third term as ANC President in 2007.
TEITELBAUM