Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LILONGWE537
2009-09-30 08:02:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Lilongwe
Cable title:
MALAWI: PRESS REPORTS VP BANDA ATTENDANCE AT SOUTH
how-toVZCZCXRO7704 RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO DE RUEHLG #0537 2730802 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 300802Z SEP 09 FM AMEMBASSY LILONGWE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0772 INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 0015 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0404 RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
UNCLAS LILONGWE 000537
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/AND
LONDON FOR AF WATCHER PETER LORD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ETRD EAID MI
SUBJECT: MALAWI: PRESS REPORTS VP BANDA ATTENDANCE AT SOUTH
AMERICA-AFRICA SUMMIT
REF: SULLIVAN/MAZEL EMAIL 9/24
UNCLAS LILONGWE 000537
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/AND
LONDON FOR AF WATCHER PETER LORD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ETRD EAID MI
SUBJECT: MALAWI: PRESS REPORTS VP BANDA ATTENDANCE AT SOUTH
AMERICA-AFRICA SUMMIT
REF: SULLIVAN/MAZEL EMAIL 9/24
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Vice President Joyce Banda led the GOM
delegation to the South America-Africa Summit in Venezuela.
Local Malawi press reports that Banda made a statement at the
gathering, urging delegates to prioritize investment in
infrastructure. This is not a significant departure from the
standard language Malawi utilizes when engaging with possible
donors. There is no indication that Malawi signed a
communique from the summit. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) Malawi Vice President Joyce Banda was the senior GOM
official to attend the recently concluded South
America-Africa Summit in Venezuela September 22 - 27 (ref
email). To date, the summit has generated only one newspaper
report and one mention on state-owned radio regarding
Malawi's participation. The Vice President was quoted as
saying in her remarks, "There is need for improved
infrastructure such as transport and energy if the summit
agenda of promoting regional and multilateral trade and
economic cooperation is to be realized." There was no report
of Malawi's assent to a communique from the summit.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: In light of the challenges Malawi faces in
increasing trade with its African neighbors, it is difficult
to envisage a substantial increase in economic ties between
Malawi and Venezuela. VP Banda's statements do, however,
track closely with Malawi's standard approach when dealing
with possible donors. For Malawi, it is likely that the
summit provided little more than a forum to pursue additional
aid.
SULLIVAN
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/AND
LONDON FOR AF WATCHER PETER LORD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ETRD EAID MI
SUBJECT: MALAWI: PRESS REPORTS VP BANDA ATTENDANCE AT SOUTH
AMERICA-AFRICA SUMMIT
REF: SULLIVAN/MAZEL EMAIL 9/24
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Vice President Joyce Banda led the GOM
delegation to the South America-Africa Summit in Venezuela.
Local Malawi press reports that Banda made a statement at the
gathering, urging delegates to prioritize investment in
infrastructure. This is not a significant departure from the
standard language Malawi utilizes when engaging with possible
donors. There is no indication that Malawi signed a
communique from the summit. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) Malawi Vice President Joyce Banda was the senior GOM
official to attend the recently concluded South
America-Africa Summit in Venezuela September 22 - 27 (ref
email). To date, the summit has generated only one newspaper
report and one mention on state-owned radio regarding
Malawi's participation. The Vice President was quoted as
saying in her remarks, "There is need for improved
infrastructure such as transport and energy if the summit
agenda of promoting regional and multilateral trade and
economic cooperation is to be realized." There was no report
of Malawi's assent to a communique from the summit.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: In light of the challenges Malawi faces in
increasing trade with its African neighbors, it is difficult
to envisage a substantial increase in economic ties between
Malawi and Venezuela. VP Banda's statements do, however,
track closely with Malawi's standard approach when dealing
with possible donors. For Malawi, it is likely that the
summit provided little more than a forum to pursue additional
aid.
SULLIVAN