Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LUSAKA130
2009-02-27 08:46:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Lusaka
Cable title:
FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIALS DERIDE AL-QADHAFI
how-toVZCZCXRO4476 RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO DE RUEHLS #0130 0580846 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 270846Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY LUSAKA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6757 INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 0633 RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI 0004 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L LUSAKA 000130
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/25/2019
TAGS: PREL AU LY ZA
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIALS DERIDE AL-QADHAFI
REF: A. ADDIS ABABA 384
B. TRIPOLI 134
Classified By: Ambassador Donald Booth for Reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L LUSAKA 000130
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/25/2019
TAGS: PREL AU LY ZA
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIALS DERIDE AL-QADHAFI
REF: A. ADDIS ABABA 384
B. TRIPOLI 134
Classified By: Ambassador Donald Booth for Reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
1. (C) Senior Foreign Ministry representatives expressed
skepticism about Libyan President Muammar al-Qadhafi's
leadership ability, soundness of judgment, and mental health.
In a meeting with the DCM and Pol/Econ officers, Zambian
Government (GRZ) officials derided the Libyan "King of Kings"
for his Messiah complex and amour propre -- weaknesses which
they suggested would limit the newly-appointed AU Chair's
ability to tackle the continent's challenges. They also
emphasized that al-Qadhafi did not have authority to invite
Caribbean and South and Central American nations to join the
"United Africa." Foreign Ministry Permanent Secretary Tens
Kapoma and Zambian Permanent Representative to the UN
Lazarous Kapambwe almost went so far as to describe
al-Qadhafi as a counterproductive force within the AU.
2. (C) Although the Foreign Ministry officials appeared to
hold little affection for the Libyan leader, Zambian
President Rupiah Banda made Tripoli one of his first visits
after his 2008 election. The bilateral discussions on trade
and investment culminated in a Libyan pledge of "eight
tractors and some ploughs to boost (Zambian) food
production." Presumably al-Qadhafi also discussed his
interest in the AU Chairmanship during his meeting with
Banda. Al-Qadhafi's dinar diplomacy, however, seems to not
have had on impact on senior GRZ diplomats, whose unprompted
statements conveyed concern that al-Qadhafi will abuse the AU
position to feed his own egomaniacal appetite rather than
Africa's indigents.
3. (C) Comment: In light of Libya's seat on the UN Security
Council and possible UN General Assembly presidency, the
Zambians clearly consider al-Qadhafi's prominence in public
fora disproportionate to his ability and prerogative.
Al-Qadhafi's rise to center stage appears to be particularly
unwelcome now that his theatrical performance will have an
actual impact on AU member countries. If nothing else,
Kapoma's and Kapambwe's ridicule (and the tacit agreement of
other foreign ministry officials who were present during the
meeting) implied that many Zambians do not embrace al-Qadhafi
as a pan-African leader and hinted at the possibility that
they may not even consider him an African at all.
MINIMIZE CONSIDERED
BOOTH
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/25/2019
TAGS: PREL AU LY ZA
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIALS DERIDE AL-QADHAFI
REF: A. ADDIS ABABA 384
B. TRIPOLI 134
Classified By: Ambassador Donald Booth for Reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
1. (C) Senior Foreign Ministry representatives expressed
skepticism about Libyan President Muammar al-Qadhafi's
leadership ability, soundness of judgment, and mental health.
In a meeting with the DCM and Pol/Econ officers, Zambian
Government (GRZ) officials derided the Libyan "King of Kings"
for his Messiah complex and amour propre -- weaknesses which
they suggested would limit the newly-appointed AU Chair's
ability to tackle the continent's challenges. They also
emphasized that al-Qadhafi did not have authority to invite
Caribbean and South and Central American nations to join the
"United Africa." Foreign Ministry Permanent Secretary Tens
Kapoma and Zambian Permanent Representative to the UN
Lazarous Kapambwe almost went so far as to describe
al-Qadhafi as a counterproductive force within the AU.
2. (C) Although the Foreign Ministry officials appeared to
hold little affection for the Libyan leader, Zambian
President Rupiah Banda made Tripoli one of his first visits
after his 2008 election. The bilateral discussions on trade
and investment culminated in a Libyan pledge of "eight
tractors and some ploughs to boost (Zambian) food
production." Presumably al-Qadhafi also discussed his
interest in the AU Chairmanship during his meeting with
Banda. Al-Qadhafi's dinar diplomacy, however, seems to not
have had on impact on senior GRZ diplomats, whose unprompted
statements conveyed concern that al-Qadhafi will abuse the AU
position to feed his own egomaniacal appetite rather than
Africa's indigents.
3. (C) Comment: In light of Libya's seat on the UN Security
Council and possible UN General Assembly presidency, the
Zambians clearly consider al-Qadhafi's prominence in public
fora disproportionate to his ability and prerogative.
Al-Qadhafi's rise to center stage appears to be particularly
unwelcome now that his theatrical performance will have an
actual impact on AU member countries. If nothing else,
Kapoma's and Kapambwe's ridicule (and the tacit agreement of
other foreign ministry officials who were present during the
meeting) implied that many Zambians do not embrace al-Qadhafi
as a pan-African leader and hinted at the possibility that
they may not even consider him an African at all.
MINIMIZE CONSIDERED
BOOTH