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