Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LUSAKA643
2009-09-21 04:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Lusaka
Cable title:  

PRESIDENT BANDA OPENS PARLIAMENT

Tags:  ECON ETRD PGOV PREL ZA 
pdf how-to read a cable
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RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHLS #0643 2640450
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 210450Z SEP 09 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY LUSAKA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7280
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP 0176
C O N F I D E N T I A L LUSAKA 000643 

SIPDIS

PASS TO USTR AND STATE FOR AF/S

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/31/2019
TAGS: ECON ETRD PGOV PREL ZA
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT BANDA OPENS PARLIAMENT

REF: LUSAKA 44

Classified By: Ambassador Donald E. Booth for reasons 1.4 (b,d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L LUSAKA 000643

SIPDIS

PASS TO USTR AND STATE FOR AF/S

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/31/2019
TAGS: ECON ETRD PGOV PREL ZA
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT BANDA OPENS PARLIAMENT

REF: LUSAKA 44

Classified By: Ambassador Donald E. Booth for reasons 1.4 (b,d)


1. (U) President Rupiah Banda opened Fourth Session (2010
Session) of the Zambian Parliament September 18. His
extensive (one hour, 45 minute) address included passages
noting cooperation with the USG on economic development
through the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the
Millennium Challenge Account. He acknowledged the
U.S.-Zambian bilateral economic partnership and mutual
efforts to promote economic growth and reduce poverty.
Although the United States was the only cooperating partner
Banda acknowledged during his speech, he noted that Zambia's
economic diplomacy is attracting investment from Asia and
Europe. He further stated that GRZ continues to "pursue her
trade agenda by working with partners within the regional
framework of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern
Africa (COMESA) and the Southern African Development
Community (SADC)." There was also reference to focusing
tourism promotion efforts in Asia.


2. (SBU) In his comments on commerce, trade, and industry,
Banda said, "Under AGOA, the Governments of Zambia and the
United States of America have agreed to establish a technical
working group to work out measures that will help expand and
diversify trade between the two countries. This should be
taken full advantage of to be beneficial." (NOTE: President
Banda appears to be referring to an effort led by USTR to
discuss ways to expand bilateral trade and investment, which
he hopes will lay the groundwork for a Bilateral Investment
Treaty at a later date. END NOTE.)


3. (U) Banda referred to Zambia's recent qualification for a
Millennium Challenge Account Compact, noting that he
"recently launched the Millennium Challenge Account-Zambia --
a program being supported by the Government of the United
States of America through the Millennium Challenge
Corporation (MCC) -- to countries that consistently meet the
standards in the area of good governance, investing in people
and promoting economic freedom. Zambia will have access to
substantial grant resources to be applied in projects that
will promote economic growth and poverty reduction once it
signs the compact."


4. (SBU) Banda also asseted his government's commitment to
good governane, respect for basic freedoms, and commitment
toeconomic refom. His assertions were met with deriive
outbursts from the opposition benches.


5. (C) COMMENT: Banda's acknowledgment of U.S.-Zamban
bilateral relations at parliament's opening sssion was in
marked contrast to the openig of the last session of
Parliament (ref A) in which he recognized virtually all of
Zambia's partners except the United States. As omission of
reference to the U.S. at the last opening of parliament was
explained as a simple oversight, we would not read any great
significance into his lack of specific reference to other
partners in today's opening address. In fact, the "Foreign
Policy" section of his address was limited to noting his
assumption of International Conference on the Great Lakes
Region chairmanship and Zambia's selection as a member of the
SADC Organ on Politics, Defense and Security troika. END
COMMENT.
BOOTH