BIO INFORMATION ON NEW SADC EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

UNCLAS MAPUTO 001099 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR AF/S - HTREGER NSC FOR CCOURVILLE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PINR PGOV PREL MZ SADC SUBJECT: BIO INFORMATION ON NEW SADC EXECUTIVE SECRETARY TOMAS SALOMAO ¶1. (U) Under former President Chissano, Tomas Salomao served as Mozambique's Minister of Transport and Communication (2000-2005) and Minister of Planning and Finance (1994-1999). Salomao is a member of the powerful 15-person FRELIMO Political Commission. In the December 2004 general elections he won election to the National Assembly as a FRELIMO representative. Salomao holds a degree in economics from University Eduardo Mondlane (1977),and is the author of many articles and books on the economy. He played a key role in securing Mozambique's eligibility for debt-relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program and has been an important advocate for economic reform in Mozambique. ¶2. (U) Prior to his ministerial appointments, Salomao held a number of positions in the government including Deputy Minister of Planning (1989-1994),General Manager for Planning and Finance, Ministry of National Defense (1987-1989),Secretary of State, Ministry of National Defense (1983-1987),and Technical Director for the National Planning Commission (1978-1983). He also served as Director General of the state-run steel mill CIFEL (1980-1983),on the Board of Directors of the state-owned People's Development Bank (1978-1980),and as a technician and member of the Board of Directors Caixa Economica (1977-1978). ¶3. (SBU) As Minister of Planning and Finance, where current Prime Minister Luisa Diogo served as his deputy, Salomao was known for building positive working relationships with the World Bank and the IMF. It is said that during his tenure he spoke in favor of an austerity program negotiated with the IMF, despite reservations expressed by other members of the government. ¶4. (SBU) Salomao was born October 16, 1954 in the Inharrime, Inhambane province. He is married and has two sons. He speaks fluent English. ¶5. (SBU) Comment: Salomao is popularly viewed as very competent, even by RENAMO members. Even though he is not considered a Guebuza intimate, many had expected that he would be chosen to be Guebuza's prime minister because of his abilities. La Lime