[09/08/2000]

F:\Cable\Data_Source\Cables\CD045\Sep00\M4618704.html Page 1 of 2 Cable PREC: IMMEDIATE CLASS: UNCLASSIFIED LINE1: OAAUZYUW RUEHWDA1924 2521126-UUUU--RHEHAAX. LINE2: ZNR UUUUU ZZH LINE3: O 081126Z SEP 00 LINE4: FM AMEMBASSY WINDHOEK OSRI: RUEHWD DTG: ORIG: AMEMBASSY WINDHOEK TO: RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1979 INFO: RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA PRIORITY 3710 SUBJ: PROPOSED PRESIDENTIAL VIDEO MESSAGE TO KORA MUSIC AWARDS TEXT: UNCLAS WINDHOEK 001924 SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A TAGS: PREL, SOCI, WA SUBJECT: PROPOSED PRESIDENTIAL VIDEO MESSAGE TO KORA MUSIC AWARDS REF: STATE 125861 (NOTAL) SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - ENTIRE TEXT - PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY. 1. (SBU) AMBASSADOR MET WITH PRIME MINISTER GEINGOB SEPTEMBER 8 AT GEINGOB'S REQUEST TO FOLLOW UP ON PRESIDENT CLINTON'S CORRESPONDENCE WITH GEINGOB (REFTEL) ON THE LATTER'S SUGGESTION THE PRESIDENT SEND A MESSAGE TO THE NOVEMBER 18 KORA AFRICA-WIDE MUSIC AWARDS CEREMONY. (NOTE: THE PRESIDENT'S JUNE 27 LETTER EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR THE KORA AWARDS AND THIS YEAR'S THEME OF COMBATING HIV/AIDS, SAID STAFF WOULD SEE IF A VIDEO MESSAGE WAS POSSIBLE, AND ASKED GEINGOB TO FOLLOW-UP WITH AMBASSADOR BADER. THE KORA AWARD IS THE ALL-AFRICA EQUIVALENT OF THE GRAMMY AWARD, AND THIS YEAR'S AWARDS CEREMONY, LIKE LAST YEAR'S, WILL BE HELD AT THE SUN CITY RESORT IN SOUTH AFRICA. A CONCERT/FUNDRAISER FEATURING PROMINENT AFRICAN MUSICIANS, INCLUDING MIRIAM MAKEBA, WILL BE HELD THE FOLLOWING DAY. GEINGOB IS THE CEREMONY'S PATRON AND CONFIRMED TO AMBASSADOR THAT HIS REQUEST FOR A PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE WAS DELIVERED ON BEHALF OF THE KORA COMMITTEE. EMBASSY PRETORIA WILL LIKELY HAVE MORE DETAIL THAN WE DO ON THE CEREMONY ITSELF.) 2. (SBU) AMBASSADOR TOLD GEINGOB HE WOULD PURSUE WITH THE DEPARTMENT AND WHITE HOUSE A POSSIBLE VIDEO MESSAGE.