DEMARCHE DELIVERED - TROOP CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000499

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/S
STATE FOR IO/PSC DENNIS HANKINS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPKO PREL UNSC MASS
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED - TROOP CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE
HYBRID OPERATION IN DARFUR

REF: SECSTATE 90022


1. (SBU) Ambassador Eastham met with Minister of Defense Bob
Khamisa on June 27 to discuss Malawi's possible troop
contribution to an UN/AU peacekeeping force in Darfur.
Khamisa, who was appointed Minister on May 10, 2007,
reiterated past GOM statements that the Malawi Defense Force
has a battalion of trained peacekeepers who are ready to
deploy.

But . . .
--------------


2. (SBU) The Minister said that twelve Armored Personnel
Carriers ordered from South Africa (with Taiwanese funding)
would be ready on or around July 15, and these would then be
used in the potential
deployment. However, he admitted that President Mutharika
still has concerns over the financial implications of troop
contribution, and that the GOM is waiting for an official
request to join the mission which they hope will address
these financial concerns.


3. (SBU) Ambassador Eastham urged Malawi to fully commit to
the UN/AU mission, and reiterated past guidance that should
Malawi make a firm commitment to the mission the USG would be
in a position to provide limited equipment support, order of
magnitude perhaps up to one million dollars.


4. (SBU) We will continue to follow up with the MOD on this
issue, and urge Malawi to move forward and publicly commit to
deployment.

EASTHAM