MOZAMBIQUE AND ZAMBIA SIGN AGREEMENT WAIVING

UNCLAS MAPUTO 001343

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR AF/S - TREGER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CVIS PGOV PREL SMIG ZA MZ
SUBJECT: MOZAMBIQUE AND ZAMBIA SIGN AGREEMENT WAIVING
VISITOR VISAS, AGREEMENT WITH SWAZILAND TO TAKE EFFECT

REF: MAPUTO 510


1. (U) On October 7 Mozambican Foreign Minister Abreu and
Zambian Labor Minister Nalumango signed an agreement waiving
the requirement of visitor visas for nationals traveling
between the two countries. The agreement is expected to go
into effect by the end of 2005. Speaking after the signing,
FM Abreu said that the abolition of visas was in keeping with
regional efforts to facilitate travel among SADC (Southern
Africa Development Community) states. Mozambique and South
Africa abolished visa requirements earlier this year, and a
similar agreement with Swaziland will take effect on October

15. Mozambique also has visa-free travel with Botswana.


2. (SBU) Comment: Some commentators in the local media
complain about rising crime, and blame it on the ease by
which criminals from South Africa and elsewhere now can enter
Mozambique. While the crime rate here is high, we, however,
have not seen any increase in attacks clearly attributable to
easier travel in the region.
La Lime