COUNTERTERRORISM COOPERATION WITH RUSSIA IN

S E C R E T MAPUTO 000565

SIPDIS
NOFORN
DEPARTMENT FOR D, S/CT, EUR, INR AND AF
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/26/2024
TAGS: PTER ASEC PREL MZ RU
SUBJECT: COUNTERTERRORISM COOPERATION WITH RUSSIA IN
MOZAMBIQUE

REF: STATE 71826

Classified By: DCM Dennis Hankins for Reasons 1.4 (b and d)


1. (S-N/F) Summary: Reftel provided Post opportunity to
finalize previous discussions with the Russian Embassy to
develop a cooperative relationship between ORCA and Russian
counterparts in the counterterrorism area. We envision
participation by multiple Mission elements including ORCA,
Econ/Pol, DAO and CONS in this counterterrorism initiative
with the Russians. End Summary


2. (S-N/F) Several months ago, Russian Ambassador Vladmir
Zemskiy and the Ambassador discussed shared concerns over the
terrorist threat in Mozambique and raised the possibility of
working jointly in the area. From our perspective, working
with the Russians in Mozambique would help overcome some of
the lingering hesitance senior intelligence, security, and
defense officials (many of whom received Russian/Soviet
training) have in working closely with the United States on
security matters. For the Russians, cooperation with the
U.S. would help bolster their image since they no longer have
the financial resources to match their strong historical ties
to Mozambique. ORCA indicated its willingness to work with
Russian counterparts but the Russian Ambassador indicated he
would have to first seek guidance from Moscow.
Unfortunately, Ambassador Zemskiy died of a heart attack in
March before he was able to tell us if he had Moscow's
blessing.


3. (S-N/F) Upon receipt of REFTEL, DCM met April 6 with
Charge d'Affaires Valentin Aleshin to determine if Russia
would be interested in cooperation. Aleshin was not aware of
the previous conversation between the Ambassadors (Comment:
Ambassador Zemskiy had previously told DCM he thought little
of his deputy. End Comment) but was immediately interested in
pursuing counterterrorism cooperation. While the
conversation focused on coordinated security assistance, DCM
noted that we could also consider broader counterterrorism
cooperation through the Defense Attache, Econ/Pol and
Consular Sections. Aleshin indicated he would have to seek
guidance from Moscow.


4. (S-N/F) On April 22, Aleshin came to the Embassy to
report he had received the go-ahead from Moscow to begin
contacts between our respective "security experts" to develop
a plan of counterterrorism cooperation. Aleshin suggested
his instructions called for close direction by himself or
other Russian Embassy diplomats. We suggested it best to let
the experts work between themselves but to have the Chiefs of
Mission meet quarterly to review our overall cooperation on
counterterrorism. Our Regional Political Affairs officer
(ORCA) has initiated contact with the Russian Embassy as the
Ambassador's designee.
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