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