US embassy cable - 04LILONGWE529

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000529 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: Political 
SUBJECT: MALAWI VP OFFERS CONDOLENCES 
 
REF(S): A) LILONGWE 0513  B) LILONGWE 0457 
 
1. Vice-President Cassim Chilumpha has described the death 
of former President Reagan as a great loss not only to the 
United States but also to the whole world. On June 14, upon 
returning from funeral services in the U.S. (reftel A), 
Chilumpha said Reagan was well known for his fight to end 
communism - a development that indirectly brought changes to 
Malawi. Chilumpha characterized Reagan as one of the world's 
greatest leaders. 
 
BEGIN QUOTE: "Let's remember that President Ronald Reagan in 
the late eighties and early nineties together with Margaret 
Thatcher are the two people that worked tirelessly to see 
the end of communism. They also fought for human rights and 
this helped us in Malawi to fight a dictatorship of the 
former one party regime. Some people didn't know this 
connection. We must remember that donor countries helped 
Malawi by putting pressure on the one party regime and the 
result was freedom and democracy in Malawi." END QUOTE. 
 
2.  Chilumpha noted that the decision for him to attend the 
funeral in the U.S. was made by President Mutharika based on 
the cordial bilateral relationship enjoyed by United States 
and Malawi. The Vice-President said he also used the trip to 
meet leaders of countries that have bilateral ties with 
Malawi such as British Prime Minister Blair, German 
Chancellor Schroeder, and Secretary of State Powell. 
Chilumpha said he briefed them on the May general election 
in Malawi and about plans of the new government. 
 
 
DOUGHERTY