DEMARCHE: EXTRAORDINARY SADC HEADS OF STATE SUMMIT

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000253 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/S HERBERT TREGER STATE FOR AF/S STEVE HILL AND CHRIS KARBER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM SUBJECT: DEMARCHE: EXTRAORDINARY SADC HEADS OF STATE SUMMIT REF: A. SECSTATE 38986 ¶B. LILONGWE 205 ¶1. (SBU) Ambassador Eastham spoke with President Mutharika regarding the situation in Zimbabwe on March 19, as reported in reftel B. FM Banda is with the President in Tanzania, and all other senior MFA officials are currently away from Lilongwe in southern Malawi for a bilateral summit with Mozambique. The Ambassador,s meeting with President Mutharika afforded the mission its best opportunity to convey USG views on the issue, as the President continues to personally set the agenda for Malawi,s engagement with Zimbabwe.. Post will report any further information septel. GILMOUR