64TH UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY: HIGH-LEVEL ATTENDANCE AND REQUESTS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BRAZZAVILLE 000242

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL OTRA OVIP KSEP CVIS UNGA CF
SUBJECT: 64TH UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY: HIGH-LEVEL ATTENDANCE AND REQUESTS
FOR MEETINGS: INTERIM REPUBLIC OF CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE) RESPONSE

REF: (A) STATE 068590, (B) BRAZZAVILLE 000237

1.(SBU) On August 19, the Secretary General of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs provided a preliminary draft of the Congolese
Delegation to this year's UN General Assembly. There are 63
(sixty-three) names on the list including President Denis
Sassou-Nguesso, First Lady, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the
National Security Advisor, and the first daughter/Communications
Advisor. Our reading shows that 29 on the list are officials
and the remainder are support staff, including eight members of
the presidential press staff.

2.(SBU) Unfortunately, Post cannot confirm the final list of
participants or their travel plans at this time. President
Sassou-N'guesso has announced what could potentially be a major
shake-up of his cabinet (Reftel B) and the delegation's final
composition depends on the outcome of this ministerial shuffle.
The cabinet changes are not expected to be announced until the
President returns from his current holiday abroad, probably
around September 1. Post remains in communication with the ROC
MFA and will provide further updates as they become available.

Begin Standard Response Format:
-------------- -

A. Attendance of the Head of State.

-- President Denis Sassou-Nguesso plans to attend the UNGA.

-- The President's arrival and departure dates have not yet been
confirmed nor has his presence for the General Debate.

-- The President's wife, Antoinette Sassou-N'guesso, will
accompany her husband to New York.

-- French interpretation is requested.


B. Attendance of the Head of Government.

-- President Sassou-N'Guesso is head of government. Prime
Minister Isidore Mvoumba, who is "charged with government
coordination," is not/not on the preliminary list provided by
the MFA.


C. Attendance of the Foreign Minister.

-- Basile Ikouebe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Francophonie,
will attend the UNGA.

-- The Foreign Minister's arrival and departure dates have not
yet been confirmed nor has his presence for the General Debate.

-- The Foreign Minister's wife was not listed by the MFA.

-- French interpretation is requested.


D. Attendance of other VIP's.

-- Jean Dominique Okemba, Special Advisor to the President and
Secretary General of the National Security council.

-- Okemba's wife was not listed by the MFA.

-- Okemba's arrival and departure dates have not yet been
confirmed nor has his presence for the General Debate.

-- Okemba's arrival and departure dates have not yet been
confirmed nor has his presence for the General Debate.

-- French interpretation is requested.

-- Claudia Lemboumba Sassou-N'guesso (President's Daughter),
Communications and Public Relations Advisor to the President.

--Claudia's husband was not listed by the MFA.

-- Claudia's arrival and departure dates have not yet been
confirmed nor has his presence for the General Debate.

-- Claudia's arrival and departure dates have not yet been
confirmed nor has his presence for the General Debate.

-- French interpretation is requested.


E. Attendance of the Foreign Ministry official responsible for
IO affairs.

-- Lazare Makayat Safouesse, MFA Deputy Secretary General and
Head of Multilateral Affairs.

--Obindza's wife was not listed by the MFA.

-- Obindza's arrival and departure dates have not yet been
confirmed nor has his presence for the General Debate.

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-- Obindza's arrival and departure dates have not yet been
confirmed nor has his presence for the General Debate.

-- French interpretation is requested.

End Standard Format.


3. Note: In additional Makayat Safouesse, there are a number
of other officials with roles relating to the UN on the list,
including Jacques Obindza, UN System director, Jean Didier
Clovis Ngoulou, MFA Division chief for political, legal, and
security affairs, and Pierre Mayala, MFA Division chief for
economic, financial, legal, and security affairs in the UN
System office.
EASTHAM