CHINESE AMBASSADOR REITERATES DESIRE TO COOPERATE

UNCLAS LUANDA 000030 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR AF/S AND EAP/CM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL EAID AO CH SUBJECT: CHINESE AMBASSADOR REITERATES DESIRE TO COOPERATE ON ASSISTANCE IN ANGOLA REF: A. LUANDA 26 ¶B. 07 STATE 39116 ¶C. 07 LUANDA 326 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. During a recent courtesy call by Ambassador Mozena, China's Ambassador to Angola, Zhang Beisan, said the end of Angola's civil war provided opportunities for both China and the U.S. to participate in rebuilding the nation. Recalling discussions last year with Ambassador Efird in regard to cooperating on a joint development project in Angola, Zhang hoped that we could yet find a suitable project for cooperation. Although Zhang failed to note that the Chinese had yet to respond to several ideas we had proposed following his earlier discussions with Ambassador Efird, we will nevertheless make a fresh effort to engage the Chinese constructively towards a joint endeavor. End Summary. Working together in Angola -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Zhang observed that Angola is the focus of much international attention, as the European Union, India, Japan, as well as the U.S. and China are all interested in working with Angola. He added that the needs of Angola are sufficiently large that there is room for many countries to engage here. Concerning security issues, he said the African Union and other international organizations have made progress in reducing regional conflicts, and China has contributed to peacekeeping in Liberia, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. He added that since becoming Ambassador to Angola in 2002, he has seen Angola end its war and begin a period of peace that has provided the stability necessary for economic development. He is pleased that Angola, despite some partisan friction, will hold legislative elections in 2008. ¶3. (SBU) Zhang told Mozena that both China and the United States hope for a peaceful Angola. He said Angola's needs provide our two countries with many opportunities to participate in Angola's reconstruction. Zhang recalled his discussions in 2007 with Ambassador Efird about a joint development project in Angola. He regretted that no such project has yet been identified. He urged our two embassies to resume the search for a joint development project. ¶4. (SBU) Ambassador Mozena noted that the United States and China share many of the same goals for Angola. Mozena told Zhang that prior to his departure from Washington, A/S Frazer had urged him to explore with the Chinese ways to cooperate to promote development and prosperity in Angola. The two ambassadors agreed to renew the search for suitable joint projects together. Comment -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Zhang conveniently failed to recall that the Chinese had yet to respond to a presentation we had provided after his discussions with Ambassador Efird on areas where we might be able to cooperate. Nonetheless, we are working to identify one or two small, discreet projects where we may be able to work jointly. Zhang received Mozena at his residence and was friendly and open throughout the discussions. Whether the Chinese will respond this time to a concrete proposal for a joint endeavor remains to be seen. In any case, we intend to take maximum advantage of the opening. MOZENA