ANGOLAN GOVERNMENT WARMLY RECEIVES A/S FRAZER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 LUANDA 000624 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR AF, AF/PD; R STATE PASS TO USAID:AFR/SA - ELOKEN, IMCNAIRN E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/21/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON EFIN OVIP AO SUBJECT: ANGOLAN GOVERNMENT WARMLY RECEIVES A/S FRAZER Classified By: Amb. Cynthia Efird for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: In meetings with GRA officials A/S Jendayi Frazer reinforced the US-Angola bilateral relationship, generating much goodwill and amplifying the USG message that we want to develop a strong partnership with Angola, one based on mutual respect, democracy, and good economic governance. The GRA reiterated its interest in signing a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA),and said it was still considering strengthening bilateral military cooperation through signing ACOTA, a SOFA and accepting the proposed mil-mil cooperation plan. However, the GRA made clear that it was preoccupied with military transformation and not prepared at this time to send troops to participate in international peacekeeping operations in Sudan or Somalia though it did not rule out providing technical assistance; and in Congo would only continue with training programs. Finally, on Zimbabwe, the GRA held fast to its oft-stated policy of non-interference in the domestic issues of other sovereign countries, by supporting the Mbeki-led mediation process between ruling ZANU-PF and opposition MDC as the best way forward. Media coverage was extensive and favorable on governmental and opposition radio, television, and print media. End Summary. ¶2. (U) This cable covers bilateral meetings held in Luanda on May 31, 2007, between Assistant Secretary Frazer and Minister of Foreign Relations Joao Bernardo Miranda and Vice Minister of Defense General Agostinho Nelumba &Sanjar,8 and Admiral Andre Mendes de Carvalho "Miau." Economic themed events and meetings; election-related meetings and visits, and bilateral assistance, including public-private partnerships, are reported in septels. Ambassador Frazer was accompanied by Ambassador Efird and a notetaker for each meeting. Angolan Ambassador to the United States Josefina Pitra Diakite also attended all the meetings, as well as GRA staff. Foreign Minister: Strong Bilateral Relationship and Desire for Increased Economic Ties -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) Minister Miranda opened by thanking A/S Frazer for her speech on Angola Day (May 9, 2007 in Washington) noting that the combination of her strong speech and visit to Angola encourages the GRA in its efforts to improve. While pleased by the strong growth of Angola's economy, he characterized the oil-driven growth as a "balloon filling with air" that at some point risks bursting. He stated that the GRA hopes that relationships fostered through organizations such as the U.S.-Angola Chamber of Commerce will result in increased U.S. investment in non-oil sectors of the economy, reiterating the GRA,s need to diversify its economy and spread the benefits of economic growth to a greater number of people. He said the GRA would like to work out the technical details necessary to sign the TIFA. In response to the A/S' question on transparency, Miranda stated that most flaws found on the financial books are due to lack of capacity, and that the Ministry of Finance is working to increase transparency in both Sonangol and the Angolan National Bank. The A/S pointed out that increased U.S. investment depends on a favorable business climate and fair treatment according to international norms for all investors. She specifically called for quick and just resolution of an evolving investment dispute (further details follow septel). Angola on the Regional Stage: Looking for Stability but Moving Cautiously -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) DRC: Turning to regional issues, A/S Frazer solicited the GRA,s position on Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In response to A/S Frazer,s asking if the GRA planned to support the Congolese efforts to combat separatist rebels in Eastern Congo, Miranda said the GRA plans to continue its training program for the Congolese military, but would not provide its own troops to participate in any operation to directly disarm the rebels. He stated that the GRA's overall policy is noninterference in the internal issues of other countries and is also dictated and limited by the challenges the Angolan government faces at home, especially with elections on the horizon, and the major restructuring of the Angola Armed Forces. ¶5. (C) Zimbabwe: Miranda characterized the situation in Zimbabwe as disastrous, with every policy options "very uncomfortable for the Angolan government." He reiterated SADC's position that the situation is not yet the grave emergency that the international community posits. He stated that internal dialogue between the ruling ZANU-PF party and the opposition MDC is the best way forward in the short run with new leadership in ZANU-PF as the only possible mid-term LUANDA 00000624 002 OF 003 way out. He confirmed GRA support of the mediation process led by South African President Mbeki. These comments were, however, tempered by his "personal opinion" that an aging and increasingly out-of-touch Mugabe has lost the support of the new generation of ZANU-PF leaders, who are, in turn, feeding their ideas for change to the opposition MDC. He expressed concern that Zimbabwe,s high inflation might instigate a refugee flow and threaten public order in bordering countries, elaborating that the last thing the Southern Africa region wants is a bloody internal collapse in Zimbabwe. Nonetheless, he believed the "African Moral Code" of respect for elder leaders such as Mugabe requires a cautious approach. ¶6. (C) A/S Frazer advocated the need for more forceful action by SADC. In response, Miranda reiterated that all options were unpleasant, acknowledged that the mediation process has yet to bear fruit, and stated that SADC's position on Zimbabwe will be reviewed at the next SADC Ministers meeting. He said he has relayed a message from President dos Santos to President Mbeki and Zambian President Pohama, asking them to speak more forcefully with Mugabe. Miranda stated that President Pohama, as a fellow &elder8 statesman can speak more freely with Mugabe. Pohama has said that Mugabe wants to hand over power, but only when climate is right for a transfer of power; Mugabe so far has shown no sign of naming a successor. Miranda stated his opinion that the weakened MDC is not a viable option and that the ZANU-PF needs to transform itself, to find a younger, more vital voice. He said Angolan sources within ZANU-PF had reported strong dissatisfaction among the rank-and-file, especially the youth, with the Central Committee,s acquiesce in Mugabe,s candidature for the Presidency. He called sanctions a symbol of the mobilization of the international moral forces aligned against Zimbabwe in the eyes of the ZANU-PF, and thus serving to strengthen Mugabe within his party. A/S Frazer defended the sanctions as targeted and not a contributing factor to disinvestment in Zimbabwe. No Troops for Sudan and Somalia -------------- ¶7. (C) Noting Angola's large, strong military, A/S Frazer pressed for troop commitments to peacekeeping forces in Sudan and Somalia. Miranda admitted that the situation in both of these countries require international attention, but stated that the GRA does not see any circumstance under which it would send troops far from its borders prior to its upcoming elections. (Note: Legislative elections are expected in 2008 and Presidential elections in 2009. End note.) He noted that Angola needs to downsize and professionalize its military after its own long civil war, and could not bear the costs of deploying troops far from Angola. He also stated that Angolans were not "psychologically prepared" to see troops return from dangerous missions in flag-draped coffins. He did not rule out the possibility of providing technical assistance to a peacekeeping force. Miranda reacted favorably to A/S Frazer's idea of training the thousands of troops currently slated for demobilization for international peacekeeping missions. He assured the A/S that he would pass this &new8 idea along to the Ministry of Defense. Military Cooperation: Positive Words, No Immediate Action -------------- -------------- ¶8. (C) A/S Jendayi Frazer discussed bilateral military cooperation with Vice Minister of Defense General Agostinho Nelumba &Sanjar8 and Admiral Andre Mendes de Carvalho "Miau." General Sanjar told the A/S that Angola valued and wanted to strengthen its bilateral military relationship with the United States. However, Sanjar repeated Miranda,s point that the Angolan military is restructuring and considering its overall approach to peacekeeping; Angola has therefore not yet taken its final decision on the ACOTA program. He said the new military Chief of Staff would make the decision on ACOTA. (Note: The Embassy has previously received general assurances that the GRA was interested in participating in ACOTA. End Note.) Admiral Miau stressed that Angola had an agreement to receive peacekeeping training from Portugal, and, as in previous discussions, reiterated that any potential U.S. training should complement rather than duplicate the Portuguese training. ¶9. (C) In response to A/S Frazer,s questions, Sanjar told the A/S that the GRA is considering both the proposed SOFA agreement and the matrix of military-to-military framework proposed by EUCOM. Regarding the Gulf of Guinea Commission, Sanjar described to the A/S Angola,s sponsorship of the Commission,s Presidency (reftel) noting the Commission is currently working on logistic issues involved in setting up its headquarters in Luanda. A/S Frazer also described US LUANDA 00000624 003 OF 003 efforts in establishing AFRICOM and solicited GRA views. Sanjar noted that the formation of AFRICOM was a US internal issue, but that the Angolans appreciated the USG,s openness to African opinions. High Press Visibility -------------- ¶10. (U) A/S Frazer,s visit dominated all media from the day before her arrival to the day after her departure. The extensive and positive press coverage in print, and on television and the radio, amplified the USG,s important messages on the bilateral relationship, the importance of fair and free elections to be held as planned in 2008 and 2009 and the necessity of continued GRA cooperation with the IMF and the World Bank on economic transparency issues. Media sources accurately reflected these messages, as well as emphasized the positive relationship between Angola and the United States and increasing commercial ties. Comment: Turning Positive Conversation Into Action -------------- -------------- ¶11. (C) The GRA warmly welcomed A/S Frazer and the prospect of increased US-Angola cooperation, particularly in deepening our commercial ties. While our interlocutors were uniformly positive in response to US initiatives, there was no clear timetable for follow-up actions. However, the goodwill generated by the visit will serve to enhance the US-Angola bilateral relationship and may be the right incentive to nudge forward some of the issues, such as a TIFA and a SOFA, from the stage of positive rhetoric to action. ¶12. (U) A/S Frazer has approved this cable. EFIRD EFIRD