FOREIGN MINISTER REITERATES ANGOLA'S DESIRE FOR A

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LUANDA 001204 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/FO AND AF/S; NSC FOR PITTAMN/LEO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL AO SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER REITERATES ANGOLA'S DESIRE FOR A POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE U.S. REF: LUANDA 1203 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. During Amb. Mozena's December 3 presentation of copies of his credentials, Foreign Minister Miranda stressed Angola's desire for continued positive relations with the U.S., defined commercial/economic ties as the key element of the bilateral relationship, and expressed gratitude for U.S. assistance, especially in the health sector. During the warm and friendly meeting that lasted over an hour despite the Minister,s preparations for departing Angola later in the day, Miranda spoke of the need for stronger people to people contacts that celebrated the long-standing ties between both countries. Miranda urged greater US commercial interest in non-extractive sectors. At some length, he cautioned that proposed U.S. legislation targeting sanctions against leaders of named countries for corruption would have a most damaging impact on the relationship. Miranda also provided an update on ongoing Angolan efforts under SADC auspices to promote peace in eastern DRC (reftel). The Minister closed by confirming that he had approved two months ago our request for opening an American Presence Post in Cabinda. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) On December 3, Ambassador Mozena, accompanied by the DCM, presented copies of his credentials to Foreign Minister Miranda; the formal presentation of credentials to President Dos Santos is not expected until February. Contrary to the Ambassador,s expectations, Miranda declared that Mozena would be able to undertake the full range of ambassadorial activities, except meeting directly or participating in events with the President of the Republic, the President of the National Assembly, or the President of the Supreme Court. Miranda made clear that the GRA welcomed the Ambassador and continued strong relations with the United States. ¶3. (SBU) Miranda called for greater cooperation, especially in terms of promoting economic diversification and American investment beyond the petroleum sector. He also expressed gratitude for U.S. assistance, especially in the area of health. Miranda highlighted the need for greater person-to-person contacts. He called for closer cultural ties, celebrating the links that have joined our two countries for centuries. Miranda spoke of his visits to towns in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts where he saw evidence of Angolans who helped found independent Afro-American communities. Mozena said he shared the Minister's views on increasing economic diversification in Angola and deepening person-to-person contacts. Ambassador noted that his own agricultural background drove his personal interest to explore how best to bolster Angola's potentially rich agricultural sector. Mozena added that as a former Peace Corps Volunteer, he appreciated the importance of person-to-person contacts, and that to that end he intended to meet Angolans in all eighteen provinces. ¶4. (SBU) Miranda then expressed his government's deep concerns about proposed U.S. legislation that would name countries whose leaders purportedly had ill-gotten gains from extractive industries and would target sanctions against them. Miranda stated that the GRA "was repulsed" by this legislation and that its passage would be a cause of "deep remorse." Miranda then stated that he understood the proposed legislation was being revised and that countries might no longer be cited by name. Mozena thanked him for sharing his concerns and reminded the Foreign Minister that the Congress was independent of the Executive Branch, which could not direct the content of legislative proposals. Both agreed that the Government of Angola must do a better job in explaining to the international community its ongoing efforts to increase transparency and strengthen accountability. ¶5. (SBU) In response to a query from Mozena, Miranda discussed at considerable length the GRA's plan under SADC auspices to promote peace in eastern DRC (reftel). Miranda also spoke in positive terms of the impending visit to Luanda by AFRICOM Commander General Ward, and regretted that he (Miranda) would not be in Angola to meet the General. The meeting closed with Mozena's requesting an update on the status of our request to open an American Presence Post in Cabinda. Miranda responded that he had approved this at least two months ago and did not understand why his Ministry had failed to relay this to the Embassy. He tasked Americas Director Balbina to ensure personally that this was taken care of. ¶6. (SBU) Comment: Miranda was warm and friendly throughout the hour-plus long meeting. He went to great lengths LUANDA 00001204 002 OF 002 (including a five minute trip back to his office to retrieve a file folder) to respond to the Ambassador,s request for an update on Angola,s efforts to promote peace in eastern Congo (reftel),and defined most narrowly the limitations on Mozena,s activities until the formal presentation of credentials to President Dos Santos. Although firm in stating his concerns about the proposed legislation that would target some leaders of Angola and other named countries, Miranda did so without rancor. The meeting was a positive launch to Mozena's first encounter with the GRA since arriving as Ambassador; we can only hope the constructive attitude endures. End Comment MOZENA