Detained Journalist Freed After Discreet Embassy

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SUBJECT: Detained Journalist Freed After Discreet Embassy
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1. (SBU) The Mozambican police detained for several days
journalist Celso Manguana of independent fax daily Canal
de Mocambique, arguably the leading fax newspaper for
investigative reporting. Manguana was arrested March 31
when he appeared at the police station where a dozen
protestors had been detained in the wake of a
demonstration outside the National Assembly earlier that
day. The demonstrators had been demanding the government
dismiss Minister of Defense Dai, as a way of taking
responsibility for the tragic explosions at a weapons
depot in a Maputo suburb on March 22 that killed more
than 100 people and injured more than 500 (reftel A).


2. (SBU) Apparently, according to embassy sources,
Manguana (who is known as particularly argumentative and
outspoken in journalist circles) called the police
"incompetent." For his trouble, he was charged with
drunkenness (comment - Manguana may, in fact, have been
tipsy, according to our sources. end comment) and hauled
off to the central hospital for a breath test. The
breathalyzer was not working, however, so a blood sample
was taken instead and Manguana, on his way back to jail,
was told that the results would be "ready in a week."


3. (SBU) Canal de Mocambique reported the journalist's
arrest in its April 2, Monday, edition, and other papers
started to pick up the story on Tuesday. After learning
that all others detained had been released except
Manguana, we opted to make discreet inquiries, starting
with the prominent local NGO, the League of Human Rights
(LDH). The League representative was surprised to learn
of the journalist's detention -- LDH does not subscribe
to Canal de Mocambique -- and he promptly informed his
boss, Alice Mabote, LDH president. She contacted the
Mozambique Attorney General and went in person to the
police station that afternoon; by late Tuesday, Manguana
was let free. Post also contacted the Media Institute of
Southern Africa (MISA),which released a statement
condemning the arrest of Manguana.


4. (SBU) Comment: It was gratifying to see LDH,
Mozambique's human rights watchdog, so responsive. The
Attorney General, too, seems to have been genuinely
helpful. Gratifying, too, was such prompt reaction on
the behalf of an outspoken journalist. Manguana had,
just days before, written an "open letter" to Minister
Dai in Canal, calling for his resignation. Weeks
earlier, Manguana wrote an equally audacious article
calling the Minister of Sports and Youth "a liar." In a
country where the independent media is still asserting
itself, Manguana's reporting stands out -- and may have
contributed to his arrest.

Johnson