US embassy cable - 04LILONGWE612

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LILONGWE 000612 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR INR/B 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, KDEM, PINR, MI, Political 
SUBJECT: MALAWI'S NEW MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS SEEKS 
STRONG TIES WITH U.S. 
 
REF: A. LILONGWE 520 
 
     B. LILONGWE 514 
 
1.  (U) SUMMARY.   Dr. George Chaponda, Malawi's new Minister 
of Foreign Affairs was sworn in on June 16 (reftel A). 
Chaponda, after nearly twenty years of UNHCR service, seems 
eager to raise standards of professionalism and fiscal 
discipline in his ministry, and would like to explore the 
possibility of establishing a Malawi mission to the UN in 
Geneva.  Chaponda anticipates progress on the Nacala Corridor 
project and looks forward to working with the USG in his 
efforts to reduce poverty and increase economic growth in 
Malawi. Biographical information begins in paragraph 6. END 
SUMMARY. 
 
2.  (U) On June 28, CDA paid an introductory call to new 
Minister of Foreign Affairs George Chaponda. Accompanied by 
DCM and Poloff (notetaker), the CDA's visit served as post's 
introduction to the minister.  Chaponda, an experienced UN 
diplomat, said that the new GOM intends to professionalize 
and streamline it's diplomatic corps.  He said he is 
interested in ensuring that GOM embassies abroad "are 
proactive in promoting trade, investment, and tourism." 
Chaponda did not give any indication of the veracity of 
recent rumors that the GOM may soon begin closing embassies 
as a cost-saving measure, though he did indicate that he 
would be in favor of possible consolidation or downsizing. 
Chaponda indicated that the GOM would like the chance to use 
whatever "incentives" may be available in order to establish 
a mission to the UN in Geneva, noting that he had previously 
advocated for this, and would continue to do so even if it 
means folding an existing embassy nearby into a new one in 
Geneva. 
 
3.  (U) When asked about GOM delays in signing a Direct 
Agreement with OPIC which would guarantee a $30 million loan 
to rehabilitate the Nacala Corridor (reftel B), Chaponda said 
he "didn't see any problem with it moving forward."  He 
believed that GOM resolution was forthcoming, and assured CDA 
he would pass along to the Minister of Trade the USG's desire 
to see the project completed. 
 
4.  (U) Chaponda expressed his eagerness to work in 
partnership with the USG in order to achieve President 
Mutharika's goals of reducing poverty and increasing economic 
growth in Malawi.  Recalling his extensive personal knowledge 
of the long association between the USG and GOM, he cited the 
Peace Corps as a valuable component of USG assistance. He 
said he regretted that a scheduling conflict (Chaponda 
departed Malawi on June 29 for the AU conference in Addis 
Ababa) would prevent his attendance at the mission's official 
Independence Day celebration on July 1. He added that he is 
planning to attend the upcoming UNGA, and said that President 
Mutharika may do so as well (reported septel). 
 
5.  (SBU) COMMENT. Chaponda's extensive international 
experience and substantial education are readily apparent. 
He gave the impression he is engaged, articulate, and 
generally friendly to the USG.  His educational and 
professional experience have allowed him to live and work in 
the US, and he seemed eager to maintain strong ties with the 
USG in his ministerial role. His support of President 
Mutharika was also on display, as Chaponda repeatedly 
referred to the President's economic goals.  We expect 
Chaponda will be a competent, articulate, and loyal public 
servant as Minister of Foreign Affairs. END COMMENT. 
 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: DR. GEORGE CHAPONDA 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
6. (SBU) Chaponda, a newcomer to Malawian politics and the 
United Democratic Front (UDF) inner circle, entered Malawi's 
political scene in 2003 when he contested and won the 
position of the party's Director of Research, defeating 
former UDF heavyweight and then Minister of Lands Thengo 
Maloya.  In the 2004 presidential and parliamentary 
elections, Chaponda won a parliamentary seat in Mulanje and 
became Minister of Foreign Affairs in newly-elected President 
Bingu wa Mutharika's cabinet.  As a retired UN official, he 
has extensive international experience.  Close associates 
describe him as a quiet and thoughtful man. 
 
7. (U)  Chaponda worked for UNHCR for nearly twenty years 
before retiring in 2002. His UNHCR assignments included Head 
of Legal Section in Mogadishu (1983-1985); Deputy 
Representative to Kenya (1985-1989); Head of Legal Section in 
Bangkok (1989-1992); Deputy Representative to Bangladesh 
(1993-1994); Chief of Section for Recruitment and Emergency 
Staffing, Geneva (1994-1995); Head of Sub-Office in Ngara, 
Tanzania (1995-1996);  Deputy Regional Representative, 
Austria (1996-1998); Resident Representative, Poland 
(1998-2000).  In 2002 Chaponda served as UNHCR Deputy 
Regional Director, East and Horn of Africa and Great Lakes 
Region, based in Addis Ababa.  Concurrent with his 
ministerial position, he is also serving as the UDF's 
Director of Research. 
 
8. (U) Chaponda spent much of his youth in Zambia.  After 
attending Blantyre Secondary School in Malawi, he completed a 
B.A. and M.A. in Political Science/History at the University 
of New Delhi in India.  He then completed a law degree in 
Zambia, and obtained his JD at Yale School of Law in 1984. 
While working at Yale as a visiting lecturer, he was 
recruited by UNHCR. 
 
9. (SBU) Chaponda is from the same Lomwe ethnic group as 
President Mutharika.  They both hail from Mulanje District in 
the Southern Region. 
 
10. (SBU) Chaponda is the uncle of former National Democratic 
Alliance (NDA) member of Parliament Lizzie Mpinganjira, who 
is the wife of NDA president and former presidential 
candidate Brown Mpinganjira. 
 
11. (U) Digital photo will be sent to INR/B via email. 
RASPOLIC