Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08LUSAKA422
2008-04-11 13:02:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Lusaka
Cable title:
MUGABE "CHICKENS OUT" OF SPECIAL SADC SUMMIT
how-toVZCZCXRO9979 PP RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHLS #0422 1021302 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 111302Z APR 08 FM AMEMBASSY LUSAKA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5690 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L LUSAKA 000422
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF
STATE ALSO AF/S AND AF/PD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/11/2013
TAGS: PREL ZA ZI SADC
SUBJECT: MUGABE "CHICKENS OUT" OF SPECIAL SADC SUMMIT
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Koplovsky for reasons
C O N F I D E N T I A L LUSAKA 000422
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF
STATE ALSO AF/S AND AF/PD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/11/2013
TAGS: PREL ZA ZI SADC
SUBJECT: MUGABE "CHICKENS OUT" OF SPECIAL SADC SUMMIT
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Koplovsky for reasons 1.
4 (b) and (d
1. (C) On the afternoon of April 11, Zambian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Tens Kapoma updated the
Ambassador on the special Southern African Development
Community (SADC) summit. Kapoma said Zimbabwean President
Robert Mugabe "chickened out" and will not be attending the
meeting. "He is missing an opportunity." He said "this
shows he's not the same man he used to be....he has been
humbled and discredited." Kapoma concluded that Mugabe "is
living on borrowed time" politically. Kapoma said the
presidents of Angola, Malawi, Botswana and the DRC and the
King of Swaziland have confirmed their attendance. The
PermSec told the Ambassador that Zimbabwean MDC candidate
Morgan Tsvangirai still plans to attend.
2. (SBU) Kapoma said the Lusaka diplomatic corps will be
invited to the opening session of the summit (at 14:00 local
time on Saturday). The Ambassador will attend. We understand
EU heads of mission also plan to attend.
MARTINEZ
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF
STATE ALSO AF/S AND AF/PD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/11/2013
TAGS: PREL ZA ZI SADC
SUBJECT: MUGABE "CHICKENS OUT" OF SPECIAL SADC SUMMIT
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Koplovsky for reasons 1.
4 (b) and (d
1. (C) On the afternoon of April 11, Zambian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Tens Kapoma updated the
Ambassador on the special Southern African Development
Community (SADC) summit. Kapoma said Zimbabwean President
Robert Mugabe "chickened out" and will not be attending the
meeting. "He is missing an opportunity." He said "this
shows he's not the same man he used to be....he has been
humbled and discredited." Kapoma concluded that Mugabe "is
living on borrowed time" politically. Kapoma said the
presidents of Angola, Malawi, Botswana and the DRC and the
King of Swaziland have confirmed their attendance. The
PermSec told the Ambassador that Zimbabwean MDC candidate
Morgan Tsvangirai still plans to attend.
2. (SBU) Kapoma said the Lusaka diplomatic corps will be
invited to the opening session of the summit (at 14:00 local
time on Saturday). The Ambassador will attend. We understand
EU heads of mission also plan to attend.
MARTINEZ