US envoy describes Kunda as an ill, clumsy pit bull
US envoy describes Kunda as an ill, clumsy pit bullBy Chibaula Silwamba
Thu 08 Sep. 2011, 14:01 CAT
A US envoy in Lusaka described Vice-President George Kunda as a semi-competent, possibly ill, clumsy pit bull and unimpressive interlocutor whose personal views are unclear according to cables released by Wikileaks. And the envoy revealed that immediate-past finance minister Situmbeko Musokotwane is usually quiet in meetings.
United States embassy charge d'affaires Michael Koplovsky, in a cable dated December 31, 2009 and released by Wikileaks, stated that Vice-President Kunda, who he described as "a doleful" Bassett hound, had unexpectedly emerged as a clumsy pit bull in the Rupiah Banda-administration.
A pit bull is any of several breeds of dogs in the molosser breed group and many jurisdictions restricts its ownership.
"Kunda was an unexpected and uninspired choice when President Banda named him VP Vice-President in November 2008. Considered lethargic (possibly ill) and semi-competent, Kunda is an unimpressive interlocutor whose personal views are unclear," Koplovsky wrote.
"Many believe Banda chose him because he posed little political threat. In 2009, Kunda ostensibly joined Banda's inner circle by allying himself with outspoken MMD hardliners: minister of information and broadcasting services Ronnie Shikapwasha; then home affairs minister Lameck Mangani and then minister of works and supply and acting MMD spokesperson Mike Mulongoti. Kunda may be in a tenuous position as a weaker member of this clique given his recent capitulation on his proposed media bill and he may at some point be deemed ‘expendable' by hardliners vying for the political inside lane."
Koplovsky stated that Vice-President Kunda had become a strident and confrontational voice in the Banda cabinet.
"Over the last few months, he has announced the GRZ decision not to appeal former president Frederick Chiluba's acquittal, leveled accusations on and threatened local diplomats and most recently, unveiled his own draconian, oppressive media regulation bill. On two of these occasions (but unfortunately not on the Chiluba appeal), Kunda's government colleagues subsequently retreated from these forward-leaning positions, climbing down," Koplovsky wrote.
"President Banda may be putting Kunda up for these stunts - letting a loyal (but expendable) deputy take the flack as he floats aggressive and risky trial balloons, or Kunda may be flying solo without an approved flight plan. In either case, despite his participation in discussion among hard-line Banda confidants like the ministers of information, homes affairs, and public works, Kunda is doubtful calling the shots or hatching schemes."
Koplovsky stated that during a December 21 radio interview, Vice-President Kunda attacked the press, civil society and political opposition for carrying out "a calculated scheme" masterminded by Post editor Fred M'membe to weaken and undermine public confidence in the Banda administration.
The diplomat wrote that Vice-President Kunda claimed that the scheme was a treasonable act and the following day Kunda sent a controversial draft media bill reportedly rejected by the Ministry of Information.
"This episode is only the latest example of Kunda's strident comments that seem to get out in front of the administration. Kunda has repeatedly stirred up controversy during Banda's frequent absences with public attacks against the press, civil society, political opposition and even the diplomatic community.
His public diatribes indicate either that he has become the Banda's point person for delivering harsh messages or that he is prone to wander off the reservation. In either case, we are dubious doubtful that he is calling the shots," Koplovsky stated.
"Bottom line: Kunda holds little weight in the cabinet and Banda may replace him before the 2011 election with someone Banda needs to neutralise or use to secure important constituencies. While Kunda's public statements could claim a measure of credibility, his power and prospects are limited."
In another cable dated January 20, 2011, Koplovsky stated that the US ambassador to Zambia met finance minister Situmbeko Musokotwane, who sat silently listening to his sins.
Koplovsky stated that the ambassador highlighted the progress Zambia made in 2009 towards a Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) compact but stressed that the Zambian government must act now to assuage concerns about its commitment to good governance and anti-corruption.
"He Musokotwane was his usual taciturn self, and sat silently to, in his words, ‘hear his sins' throughout much of the meeting. The minister had little to say in response to the MCC Millennium Challenge Corporation board governance concerns, which were not new to him, and replied that it was ‘fair' that Zambia did not receive GFCI Global Financial Crisis Initiative funding because its economy did bounce back quickly," wrote Koplovsky.
Labels: GEORGE KUNDA, SITUMBEKO MUSOKOTWANE, WIKILEAKS
posted by MrK @ 4:21 PM
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