Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07LUANDA924
2007-09-11 15:12:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Luanda
Cable title:  

BIOGRAPHY - AUGUSTO TOMAS, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR

Tags:  PGOV ENRG TBIO AO 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO4197
RR RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHLU #0924 2541512
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 111512Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY LUANDA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4303
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L LUANDA 000924 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2017
TAGS: PGOV ENRG TBIO AO
SUBJECT: BIOGRAPHY - AUGUSTO TOMAS, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR
PUBLIC ENTERPRISES

Classified By: CDA Francisco J. Fernandez, Reasons 1.5 b and d

C O N F I D E N T I A L LUANDA 000924

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2017
TAGS: PGOV ENRG TBIO AO
SUBJECT: BIOGRAPHY - AUGUSTO TOMAS, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR
PUBLIC ENTERPRISES

Classified By: CDA Francisco J. Fernandez, Reasons 1.5 b and d


1. (C) Summary: Over the past year, Augusto Tomas has emerged
as the GRA's primary spokesman/advocate for privatization.
He has taken the privatization show on the road to the US and
Brazil, where he presented a polished Angolan plan for
increasing competitiveness and privatizing state controlled
sectors, including diamond and oil extraction. Tomas' past
dealings and his less than sterling reputation as an advocate
for transparency have raised some doubts about the veracity
of his assertions, however. End Summary.


2. (C) In January, 2007, Augusto Tomas was appointed to be
the newly created Secretary of State for Entrepreneurial
Investments, with a primary focus on the privatization of
most of Angola's state-run organizations, including the
national oil company, Sonangol. In summer 2007, he visited
Brazil and the United States to study government policy
toward private corporations and the governance of large
corporations. During the visits he also outlined Angolan
plans to open up previously closed sectors to competition.


3. (C) After those meetings, and given his quick return to
prominence after almost a decade working quietly in the
National Assembly, post began discussing Tomas and his role
with local contacts. What has emerged is a picture of
someone who had a quick rise (going from Vice Minister of
Industry and Commerce to Minster Finance in 5 years),but who
fell just as quickly (with little explanation). We have been
able to document, however, at least one case, during his
tenure as Provincial Governor of Cabinda, where he received
USD 2 million in kickbacks on USD 20 million of contracts
(this was confirmed by someone who worked in the company).


5. (U) In 1980 Tomas received a Bachelor of Arts degree in
economics from Agostinho Neto University in Luanda. He then
earned a master's in economics University of Coimbra in 1982.
In addition to his native Portuguese, he is fluent in French
and speaks some English.

Comment
--------------


6. (C) Tomas is an engaging and convincing interlocutor,
and someone who, by virtue of directly reporting to the
President, could be well-placed to carry out privatization of
Angola's state-owned enterprises. However, there is no
indication at this time that Angolan plans to privatize
active or inactive state companies is in the offing. Cynics
contend that Tomas' main purpose is to ensure that the
privatization of state assets include Angola's ruling elite.
These same analysts point to Tomas' checkered past as an
indication that the GRA's commitment may not be as deep as he
reports to be. Post will continue to engage with Tomas and
to follow the process of privatization.
FERNANDEZ