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