C O N F I D E N T I A L LUANDA 001208

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

ADDIS ABABA FOR A/S JENDAYI FRAZER AND USAU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/03/2017
TAGS: PREL MOPS OTRA AO
SUBJECT: ADDITIONAL DETAILS ON ANGOLA'S PLAN FOR PEACE AND
SECURITY IN THE EASTERN DRC

REF: LUANDA 01203

Classified By: AMB DAN MOZENA FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)


1. (C) SUMMARY: In a December 4, 2007 meeting with AFRICOM
Commander General Ward, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs
Jorge Chicoti gave additional details about Angola's plan for
peace and stability in the Eastern DRC. The plan calls for a
small SADC task force in the region, SADC-sponsored and
administered humanitarian assistance for victims of the
conflict, and increased military cooperation and capacity
building between Angolan and Congolese military forces.
Chicoti has been promoting the plan throughout the region and
has recommended its implementation to President dos Santos.
END SUMMARY

The Angola Plan
--------------


2. (C) Chicoti first expressed his appreciation for the USG's
backing of the Nairobi Communique, as it sent a clear signal
to Rwanda and Uganda that the international community did not
and would not support their interference in the DRC. Chicoti
told General Ward he has met with representatives of the SADC
Troika (Angola, Tanzania, and Swaziland) and Great Lakes
countries to garner support for his peace and security plan
for the region.


3. (C) Angola's proposal calls for a small SADC task force in
the conflict area to "ensure that all parties stay on their
side of the border." He did not elaborate on the size,
composition, or rules of engagement for this force. He
stated Angola does not intend to become militarily engaged in
the area, especially given the complicating factor of the
region's dense civilian population. Chicoti said the mere
threat of SADC military intervention should cause General
Nkunda to lay down arms and accept an exile agreement, as his
2,000 strong force could not compete. Under Angola's plan,
SADC will provide (unspecified) humanitarian assistance in
the region to ameliorate the looming humanitarian crisis. He
acknowledged that SADC lacks adequate funds for this
assistance, and pledged Angola's complete financial support.
Funds will flow from Angola's Ministry of Finance to an
(unspecified) implementing organ within SADC. Chicoti added
that the USG could assist in supporting humanitaria relief.


4. (C) In addition, Chicoti said the Angolan military will
increase its training and capacity building efforts with the
DRC military. Chicoti lamented that, despite a large
allotment of funds, to date the Angolan military has only
been able to train three Congolese brigades. He expressed
frustration over unprofessional, undisciplined and poorly
trained Congolese soldiers, and stated GRA funds were used to
pay salaries and food costs for Congolese soldiers and their
families, rather than an expansion of the training program.

Peace in the Eastern DRC?
--------------


5. (C) Chicoti expressed his belief that this is a unique
window of opportunity for international pressure to calm
tensions in the area, with SADC playing a key role. Chicoti
added that, should the international community fail to take
this moment seriously, we can expect to see conflict in the
region for years to come. Chicoti classified the DRC's
government as "weak" and geographically isolated following
its long war and recent elections, and stated that they
needed "help" to ensure peace. Chicoti also expressed
admiration for Kigame's "vision" for Rwanda, in particular
his efforts to expand rural access to computers and the
internet, but emphasized that Kigame must create a long-term
plan to expand Hutu participation in his Tutsi-dominated
government in order to ensure a peaceful future for Rwanda.


6. (C) COMMENT: While providing some additional details to
the outline given by Foreign Minister Miranda to Ambassador
Mozena in meeting on December 3rd (reftel), logistical
details remain scant and no confirmation of its support in
the region was proffered. END COMMENT


7. (U) General Ward has cleared this cable.
MOZENA