ADDITIONAL DETAILS ON ANGOLA'S PLAN FOR PEACE AND

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