Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LUSAKA450
2009-06-24 08:39:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Lusaka
Cable title:
ZAMBIA DOES NOT RULE OUT MILITARY INTERVENTION IN
how-toVZCZCXRO7600 RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHLS #0450 1750839 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 240839Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY LUSAKA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7076 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 0639
C O N F I D E N T I A L LUSAKA 000450
SIPDIS
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU, STATE FOR AF/S AND AF/E
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/23/2014
TAGS: PREL SADC PGOV ZA
SUBJECT: ZAMBIA DOES NOT RULE OUT MILITARY INTERVENTION IN
MADAGASCAR
REF: SECSTATE 63557
Classified By: DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION MICHAEL KOPLOVSKY FOR REASONS
C O N F I D E N T I A L LUSAKA 000450
SIPDIS
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU, STATE FOR AF/S AND AF/E
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/23/2014
TAGS: PREL SADC PGOV ZA
SUBJECT: ZAMBIA DOES NOT RULE OUT MILITARY INTERVENTION IN
MADAGASCAR
REF: SECSTATE 63557
Classified By: DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION MICHAEL KOPLOVSKY FOR REASONS 1.
4(B) AND (D)
1. (C) On June 23, emboffs met with Awa Lubundi, Zambian
Foreign Ministry Africa Division, to discuss the points in
the reftel demarche on Madagascar. He noted that SADC does
not promote military intervention as a measure to advance
political progress in Madagascar, yet SADC remains open to
employing such an alternative after all consensual
negotiation efforts are exhausted. He also inquired how the
USG might respond to possible SADC military intervention in
Madagascar. Our response reiterated that the United States
advocates peaceful resolutions to this crisis. Although
Lubundi conceded that sending the SADC brigade was something
SADC leaders considered during their June 20 summit in
Johannesburg, he described it as an "unrealistic" option.
2. (C) According to the Lubundi, SADC's reticence on military
intervention stems from its previous failed attempt to
intercede in Lesotho during 1998. He confided that SADC
leaders lacked confidence that a SADC brigade would be well
received by the Malagasy people and, therefore, was likely to
fail. He took the point regarding the need to push for
elections and refrain from reinstating Marc Ravalomanana.
Lubundi's comments reflected little GRZ urgency for immediate
elections. He noted that SADC would endorse an interim
government led, for instance, by the Head of Madagascar's
Senate until elections are underway.
BOOTH
SIPDIS
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU, STATE FOR AF/S AND AF/E
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/23/2014
TAGS: PREL SADC PGOV ZA
SUBJECT: ZAMBIA DOES NOT RULE OUT MILITARY INTERVENTION IN
MADAGASCAR
REF: SECSTATE 63557
Classified By: DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION MICHAEL KOPLOVSKY FOR REASONS 1.
4(B) AND (D)
1. (C) On June 23, emboffs met with Awa Lubundi, Zambian
Foreign Ministry Africa Division, to discuss the points in
the reftel demarche on Madagascar. He noted that SADC does
not promote military intervention as a measure to advance
political progress in Madagascar, yet SADC remains open to
employing such an alternative after all consensual
negotiation efforts are exhausted. He also inquired how the
USG might respond to possible SADC military intervention in
Madagascar. Our response reiterated that the United States
advocates peaceful resolutions to this crisis. Although
Lubundi conceded that sending the SADC brigade was something
SADC leaders considered during their June 20 summit in
Johannesburg, he described it as an "unrealistic" option.
2. (C) According to the Lubundi, SADC's reticence on military
intervention stems from its previous failed attempt to
intercede in Lesotho during 1998. He confided that SADC
leaders lacked confidence that a SADC brigade would be well
received by the Malagasy people and, therefore, was likely to
fail. He took the point regarding the need to push for
elections and refrain from reinstating Marc Ravalomanana.
Lubundi's comments reflected little GRZ urgency for immediate
elections. He noted that SADC would endorse an interim
government led, for instance, by the Head of Madagascar's
Senate until elections are underway.
BOOTH