Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10LUSAKA44
2010-01-21 12:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Lusaka
Cable title:
"OR NOT TO BE" -- ZAMBIA UNLIKELY TO ASSOCIATE
how-toVZCZCXRO3972 RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHLS #0044 0211211 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 211211Z JAN 10 FM AMEMBASSY LUSAKA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7593 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L LUSAKA 000044
SIPDIS
STATE FOR OES/EGC DNELSON AND KLARSEN, OESENV RKASTENBERG,
AND AF/S LAYLWARD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2015
TAGS: PREL KGHG SENV ENRG ZA
SUBJECT: "OR NOT TO BE" -- ZAMBIA UNLIKELY TO ASSOCIATE
WITH COPENHAGEN ACCORD
REF: STATE 3080
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Michael Koplovsky for reasons
C O N F I D E N T I A L LUSAKA 000044
SIPDIS
STATE FOR OES/EGC DNELSON AND KLARSEN, OESENV RKASTENBERG,
AND AF/S LAYLWARD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2015
TAGS: PREL KGHG SENV ENRG ZA
SUBJECT: "OR NOT TO BE" -- ZAMBIA UNLIKELY TO ASSOCIATE
WITH COPENHAGEN ACCORD
REF: STATE 3080
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Michael Koplovsky for reasons 1.
4 (b,d)
1. (C) On January 19, the Ambassador spoke to Zambian
Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources
Catherine Namugala about the results of the December COP-15
and next steps. He urged Zambia to associate itself with the
Copenhagen Accord per reftel. Namugala, who led the Zambian
delegation to Copenhagen, responded that (unspecified)
"stakeholders" will meet in late January to help guide the
GRZ's decision. Although she understood the need for some
sort of commitment on climate change, whether binding or
voluntary, and was very complimentary of President Obama's
role at the COP-15, Namugala expressed reservations about the
Accord's lack of legally binding commitments. She indicated
that she would be willing to meet with the Charge in late
January or early February before the GRZ makes its decision.
2. (C) On January 15, DCM raised reftel talking points with
a confused and uninformed Foreign Ministry. Foreign Affairs
Permanent Secretary Tens Kapoma -- usually the GRZ in-house
expert on all things UN -- was unaware of the UNFCCC process
and referred DCM to Namugala, an indication that no
preparations are underway in Zambia to move forward with
association.
3. (C) Despite Embassy's efforts to convince the GRZ to
associate itself with the Accord, it is unlikely Zambia will
support it. During a January 18 interview, Namugala publicly
criticized the Accord for not specifying funds to reduce
REDD-related emissions or to remove forest-related greenhouse
gas emissions and for not having legally binding commitments.
The GRZ has not given any indication that it will take a
principled position in support of the Accord, and it
typically follows regional, African, and Non-Aligned Movement
consensus on such issues.
KOPLOVSKY
SIPDIS
STATE FOR OES/EGC DNELSON AND KLARSEN, OESENV RKASTENBERG,
AND AF/S LAYLWARD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2015
TAGS: PREL KGHG SENV ENRG ZA
SUBJECT: "OR NOT TO BE" -- ZAMBIA UNLIKELY TO ASSOCIATE
WITH COPENHAGEN ACCORD
REF: STATE 3080
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Michael Koplovsky for reasons 1.
4 (b,d)
1. (C) On January 19, the Ambassador spoke to Zambian
Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources
Catherine Namugala about the results of the December COP-15
and next steps. He urged Zambia to associate itself with the
Copenhagen Accord per reftel. Namugala, who led the Zambian
delegation to Copenhagen, responded that (unspecified)
"stakeholders" will meet in late January to help guide the
GRZ's decision. Although she understood the need for some
sort of commitment on climate change, whether binding or
voluntary, and was very complimentary of President Obama's
role at the COP-15, Namugala expressed reservations about the
Accord's lack of legally binding commitments. She indicated
that she would be willing to meet with the Charge in late
January or early February before the GRZ makes its decision.
2. (C) On January 15, DCM raised reftel talking points with
a confused and uninformed Foreign Ministry. Foreign Affairs
Permanent Secretary Tens Kapoma -- usually the GRZ in-house
expert on all things UN -- was unaware of the UNFCCC process
and referred DCM to Namugala, an indication that no
preparations are underway in Zambia to move forward with
association.
3. (C) Despite Embassy's efforts to convince the GRZ to
associate itself with the Accord, it is unlikely Zambia will
support it. During a January 18 interview, Namugala publicly
criticized the Accord for not specifying funds to reduce
REDD-related emissions or to remove forest-related greenhouse
gas emissions and for not having legally binding commitments.
The GRZ has not given any indication that it will take a
principled position in support of the Accord, and it
typically follows regional, African, and Non-Aligned Movement
consensus on such issues.
KOPLOVSKY