The following is a press statement released by the Department of State on August 19, 2008:

I want to express my deepest sympathy for the untimely death of Zambian President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa. I extend my sincere condolences to his family and to all Zambians during this time of loss.

President Mwanawasaas passing is a great loss for Zambia and Africa. He served his country well at the highest levels of government for many years and was a trusted and key partner of the United States in the region. His spirited leadership of the Southern African Development Community over the past year was critical to that organizationns efforts to address the crisis in Zimbabwe. President Mwanawasa was also a staunch ally in the fight against HIV/AIDS and malaria. The United States valued President Mwanawasaas friendship, his dedication to improving the welfare of the Zambian people, and his outspoken promotion of democratic values and human rights in the region. He will be dearly missed.