MALAWI: PRESS REPORTS VP BANDA ATTENDANCE AT SOUTH

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