VZCZCXRO8816
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHLS #0987 3650804
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 310804Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY LUSAKA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7537
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 000987 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF/S LAYLWARD 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/31/2019 
TAGS: PGOV PINR KCOR ZA
SUBJECT: VICE PRESIDENT KUNDA - BANDA'S GO-TO FALL GUY? 
 
REF: A. LUSAKA 654 
     ¶B. LUSAKA 684 
     ¶C. LUSAKA 985 
     ¶D. 08 LUSAKA 1183 
 
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Michael Koplovsky for reasons 1. 
4 (b,d) 
 
¶1.  (C) Zambian Vice President George Kunda has 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 
(ref A), levied accusations on and threatened local diplomats 
(ref B), and most recently, unveiled his own draconian, 
oppressive media regulation bill (ref C).  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.  President 
Banda may be putting Kunda up to 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, Home Affairs, 
and Public Works, Kunda is doubtful calling the shots or 
hatching schemes.  A doleful Bassett hound has unexpectedly 
emerged as a clumsy pit-bull in the Banda administration. 
 
¶2.  (C) During a December 21 radio interview, Kunda attacked 
the press, civil society and political opposition for 
carrying out "a calculated scheme" masterminded by 
independent newspaper The Post Editor Fred M'membe to weaken 
and undermine public confidence in the Banda government. 
Kunda claimed that the scheme is a treasonable act against 
the Penal Code and asserted that the press, civil society and 
the opposition "want to control State power so they can 
choose who (sic) to prosecute for them to make money."  The 
following day, Kunda sent a controversial draft media 
regulation bill reportedly rejected by the Ministry of 
Information (ref C).  President Rupiah Banda did not publicly 
comment on Kunda's actions while on vacation at his Eastern 
Province ranch. 
 
¶3.  (C) This episode is only the latest example of Kunda's 
strident comments that seem to get out in front of the 
adminstration.  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 that he is 
calling the shots. 
 
¶4.  (C) Kunda was an unexpected and uninspired choice when 
President Banda named him VP in November 2008 (ref D). 
Considered lethargic (possibly ill) and semi-competent, Kunda 
is an unimpressive interlocutor whose personal views are 
unclear.  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; Home Affairs Minister Lameck 
Mangani; and 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 (ref C), and he may 
at some point be deemed "expendable" by hardliners vying for 
the political inside lane. 
 
¶5.  (C) Bottom line:  Kunda holds little weight in the 
Cabinet, and Banda may replaced him before the 2011 election 
with someone Banda needs to neutralize or use to secure 
important constituencies.  While Kunda's public statements 
could claim a measure of credibility, his power and prospects 
are limited. 
KOPLOVSKY