ANGOLA - UNITA AND MPLA TRADING BARBS PRIOR TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L LUANDA 000455 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/S - DMOZENA, JMALONEY E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/27/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL AO SUBJECT: ANGOLA - UNITA AND MPLA TRADING BARBS PRIOR TO PRESIDENT DOS SANTOS RETURN HOME ¶1. (U) Opposition party leaders, led by UNITA, called the GRA into a April 25, 2006, question and answer session at the National Assembly to discuss concerns over the ongoing cholera outbreak, the demolition of homes in neighborhoods surrounding Luanda, and internal security. The GRA delegation, led by Prime Minister Fernando dos Santos "Nando" and Minister of Defense Kundi Paihama, engaged in a lengthy debate on issues rarely discussed in Angola in a public forum. While UNITA had hoped to score points on the GRA's response to the cholera outbreak and concerns over internal security, Nando one-upped them by announcing a new USD 5 million dollar program to stop the spread of cholera. Paihama then took the offensive, alleging that secret UNITA weapons caches in Angola and Togo were a threat to Angola's security. UNITA President Samakuva retaliated with a press release highlighting UNITA's commitment to peace and then publicly inquired about President dos Santos's health, a topic which for the most part has been left publicly unaddressed despite rumors. President dos Santos arrived in Luanda April 27, reportedly in excellent health. ¶2. (SBU) Comment: UNITA's attempt to call the GRA to task backfired. Instead of coming out the session as a defender of the people, UNITA was forced to address deep-seated fears that it has intentions of rearming and returning to combat should it lose in the upcoming elections -- as it did in ¶1992. Missteps like these weaken the opposition's ability to engage the GRA effectively on policy issues. End Comment. EFIRD