Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08LUSAKA851
2008-08-25 12:28:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Lusaka
Cable title:  

PLANS FOR PRESIDENT MWANAWASA'S BURIAL ANNOUNCED

Tags:  PGOV ZA 
pdf how-to read a cable
P 251228Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY LUSAKA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6171
INFO SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 
AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY
UNCLAS LUSAKA 000851 


DEPT FOR AF/FO, AF/S, AF/PD; LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA
WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ZA
SUBJECT: PLANS FOR PRESIDENT MWANAWASA'S BURIAL ANNOUNCED

REF: A. LUSAKA 850

B. LUSAKA 847

C. LUSAKA 838


UNCLAS LUSAKA 000851


DEPT FOR AF/FO, AF/S, AF/PD; LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA
WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ZA
SUBJECT: PLANS FOR PRESIDENT MWANAWASA'S BURIAL ANNOUNCED

REF: A. LUSAKA 850

B. LUSAKA 847

C. LUSAKA 838



1. The body of late President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa arrived
aboard a French presidential plane on Saturday, August 23,
and laid in state at the Mulungushi Conference Center until
the morning of Monday, August 25. The body is now being
flown on a tour of provincial capitals to allow the
population to pay its respects before returning to Lusaka on
Friday, August 29. After lying in repose at the Mulungushi
Conference Center over the weekend of August 29 - September
1, the body will be transported to State House on Tuesday,
September 2 to lie in state and in preparation for the state
funeral and burial ceremony on September 3.


2. The GRZ has distributed a schedule for the September 3
burial of the late President (text of GRZ schedule below),
but details are subject to change. If the lack of planning
and chaotic execution evident in the August 23 airport
arrival ceremony attended by Charge is any indication, the
September 3 ceremonies will be characterized by scheduling
and protocol mishaps.


3. Following is the text of the GRZ schedule for the burial
ceremony of the late President Levy Patrick
Mwanawasa:

Begin text:

Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Burial Ceremony
07.30 hours - Guard of Honour arrives at Parliament
Buildings
08.00-09.00 Hours - Arrival of all other Mourners
09.00-0910 Hours - Arrival of Chiefs, Religious and Civic
Leaders
09.15 Hours - Arrival of Service Chiefs
09.30 Hours - Arrival of Senior Government Officials,
Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Members of NEC, leaders of
other Political Parties, Deputy Ministers and Cabinet
Ministers
09.35 - Arrival of the Speaker, the Chief Justice and Former
Presidents
09.40 - Arrival of His Honour the Vice President
09.45 - 10.15 Hours - Arrival of Foreign Heads of State and
Government at Parliament Buildings
10.15 Hours - The Body of the Late Zambian President, His
Excellency Dr. Levy Patrick Mwanawasa SC departs State House
for Parliament Buildings
10.30 Hours - Arrival of the Body
10.30-12.00 Hours - Church Service (To Follow the Church
Service Programme)
12.15 Hours - The Body of The Late President departs
Parliament for the Supreme Court
12.30 Hours - Arrival of the Body at the Supreme Court
12.30-13.00 Hours - Combined Valedictory Session of the
Supreme Court and the High Court
13.05 Hours - The Body of the Late President departs Supreme
Court and the High Court
14.00 Hours - Arrival of the Body at Palabana Farm (TO FOLLOW
BURIAL PROGRAMME)
17.00 Hours - End of Burial
17.15 Hours - Mourners depart the Burial Site for their
respective homes

End Text.


4. Post has secured 30 hotel rooms for the nights of
September 2 and 3 (including rooms blocked by the DAO for a
possible Milair flight crew). An additional 34 bedrooms are
available in unoccupied embassy housing (including the four
bedrooms in Ambassador,s residence (EMR),the two bedrooms
in the EMR guest house and three additional bedrooms at a
house directly across the street from the EMR.


KOPLOVSKY