SOUTH AFRICA: 64TH UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY: HIGH-LEVEL

UNCLAS PRETORIA 001513 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/S, AF/RSA AND IO/UNP NSC FOR BROWN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL OTRA OVIP KSEP CVIS UNGA SUBJECT: SOUTH AFRICA: 64TH UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY: HIGH-LEVEL ATTENDANCE REF: STATE 68590 Initial information on South African Government attendance at the 64th UNGA General Debate follows herein. The South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation U.S. Desk is unable to provide more specific information at this time. ¶A. Head of State: President Jacob Zuma plans to attend the UNGA General Debate and is expected to speak on September 23. President Zuma is expected to travel to the G-20 meeting in Pittsburgh immediately following the General Debate. President Zuma has three spouses. We do not yet know which spouse(s) will accompany President Zuma to New York. Zuma does not require interpretation. ¶B. Head of Government. President Zuma is also Head of Government. South Africa does not have a Prime Minister. ¶C. Foreign Minister: Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane will accompany President Zuma to New York for the UNGA and to Pittsburgh for the G-20. Foreign Minister Nkoana-Mashabane is a widow. No interpretation is required. ¶D. Attendance of other South African VIP's: The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has advised us that Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies and Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs Buyelwa Sonjica may also accompany President Zuma. Also expected as part of the South African delegation are Economic Advisor to the President Mandisi Mpahlwa, Deputy Director General of the Private Office of the President Lakela Kaunda, and Chief Director of Communication for the President Steyn Speed. CONNERS