BOTSWANA: TENTATIVE UNGA PARTICIPATION INFO

UNCLAS GABORONE 000629

SIPDIS
DEPT FOR IO/UNP (SUN),AF/RSA (MAZEL) AND AF/S (GWYN)
USUN FOR DUGAN
NSC FOR BROWN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNGA OTRA OVIP BC
SUBJECT: BOTSWANA: TENTATIVE UNGA PARTICIPATION INFO

REF: STATE 68590


1. The Government of Botswana has not yet made final plans
regarding its representation during the 64th UN General Assembly.
The senior government leadership are occupied with political
campaigns, as Botswana will hold its general election in early
October. (Note: The exact election date has not yet been announced,
and will only be known when Parliament is dissolved later this
month. End Note.) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has therefore
not been able to share firm information about UNGA participation
with our Embassy. Tentative information based on conversations with
MFA officials follows and is formatted per reftel request. Post
will transmit additional information once it is available.


2. Government of Botswana participation information (tentative only)
follows:


A. Attendance of the Head of State
--Name and Title: His Excellency Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama,
President of the Republic of Botswana
--Arrival/Departure Dates: President Khama is not/not expected to
attend the UNGA this year, according to MFA sources.
--Spouse Attendance: Not applicable. President is not married.
--Interpreter: Not required. English speaker.


B. Attendance of Head of Government: See answer A. The President
is both the Head of State and Government in Botswana.


C. Attendance of the Foreign Minister
--Name and Title: The Honorable Phandu Skelemani, Minister of
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
--Arrival/Departure Dates: The MFA says that Skelemani's calendar
currently shows him in New York from September 13-16 only. They
expect him to make a very brief appearance in New York and then
immediately return to Botswana after speaking to the General
Assembly. (Note: Skelemani is a Member of Parliament and will be
campaigning for re-election in his district during the month of
September. End Note.)
--Attendance of Spouse: Unknown.
--Interpretation: No interpreter required. English speaker.


D. Attendance of other VIPs: The MFA is not aware of any other
high-ranking Botswana government officials who plan to attend UNGA.
They currently do not/not expect Vice President Mompati Merafhe to
attend due to his election campaign commitments. (Note: Vice
President Merafhe frequently represents Botswana at UN and AU
events. End Note.)


E. Attendance of the Foreign Ministry official responsible for IO
affairs
--Name and Title: Mrs. Mmamosadinyana Punkie Josephine Molefe,
Director of the Department of Multilateral Affairs, Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (Note: Directors at
the Botswana MFA rank as Ambassador-equivalent. End Note.)
--Arrival and Departure Dates: Exact arrival and departure dates
are still TBD. MFA sources expect Mrs. Molefe to accompany Minister
Skelemani to New York but to stay on for additional meetings and to
attend the general debate.
--Interpreter: None required. English speaker.

NOLAN