Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MASERU183
2007-03-23 12:06:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Maseru
Cable title:
SADC DOUBLE TROIKA PRESS RELEASE: MASERU - MARCH 22, 2007
how-toVZCZCXRO3658 PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHPA RUEHRN DE RUEHMR #0183 0821206 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 231206Z MAR 07 FM AMEMBASSY MASERU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2809 INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 3160
UNCLAS MASERU 000183
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM ZI LT
SUBJECT: SADC DOUBLE TROIKA PRESS RELEASE: MASERU - MARCH 22, 2007
REF: MASERU 177; MASERU 160 AND PREVIOUS
UNCLAS MASERU 000183
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM ZI LT
SUBJECT: SADC DOUBLE TROIKA PRESS RELEASE: MASERU - MARCH 22, 2007
REF: MASERU 177; MASERU 160 AND PREVIOUS
¶1. On March 22, Embassy Maseru received a diplomatic note from
Lesotho's Ministry of Foreign Affairs extending an invitation to
all Diplomatic Missions in Maseru to send representatives to
attend a media briefing by Timothy Thahane, the Lesotho Minister
of Finance and Development Planning, who is also the Chairman of
Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of
Ministers. The note indicated that the briefing was meant to
inform members of the Diplomatic Corps and media houses about
the Council proceedings, since the sessions had been held behind
closed doors.
¶2. The press release by Minister Thahane reads as follows:
BEGIN TEXT:
Taking advantage of the SADC Council of Ministers Meeting in
Maseru on March 22, the SADC Double Troika met to consider the
economic, political and security situation in Southern Africa.
They:
-- Recognized the initiative which the Chairperson of the Organ
on Politics, Defense and Security, H.E. Jakaya Kikwete,
President of the United Republic of Tanzania took to visit the
Republic of Zimbabwe for briefing and consultation on recent
developments there.
-- Reviewed the reports by local and international media and
statements by various capitals regarding the situation in the
SADC region.
In view of these, the SADC Double Troika underscored the
importance of the Organ on Politics, Defense and Security
intensifying its consultations on the political and economic
challenges confrontation the region.
END TEXT.
¶3. The Minister did not state what had transpired during
President Kikwete's trip to Zimbabwe, but noted that the press
briefing had commenced late due to discussions amongst ministers
on the trip. Note: The SADC Troika is composed of Botswana
(out-going Chair),Lesotho (Chair) and Zambia (in-coming Chair).
The SADC Troika of the Organ on Politics, Defense and Security
has Namibia (in-coming Chair),Tanzania (Chair) and Angola
(out-going Chair).
PERRY