PORTUGAL TO ENGAGE ANGOLA ON POSSIBLE OBSERVER

UNCLAS LUANDA 000352 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL AO SUBJECT: PORTUGAL TO ENGAGE ANGOLA ON POSSIBLE OBSERVER STATUS AT COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES SUMMIT REF: A. STATE 14246 ¶B. LISBON 509 ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: On May 6, Ambassador Mozena queried Portuguese Ambassador Francisco Telles on using the Community of Democracies (CD) to encourage and support Angola's emerging democracy. Acknowledging that Portugal's Chairmanship of the CD offers an excellent opportunity to engage Angola on strengthening its democratic institutions, Telles said he will explore informally with the GRA its interest in possible observer status at next year's CD summit in Lisbon. END SUMMARY. PORTUGUESE INSIGHTS -------------- ¶2. (SBU) During a May 6 call by Ambassador Mozena on Portuguese Ambassador Francisco Telles to discuss how best the CD could engage Angola, Telles said Portugal was in favor of increased contact between the CD and Angola, agreeing that observer status for Angola in the 2009 summit was a good idea. Telles stressed that a cautious approach with the GRA was needed as Angola holds the U.S. accountable for blocking its participation as an observer at the 2007 Bamako summit. Telles said he would make an "informal demarche" to the Ministry for External Relations Vice Minister Chicote to explore Angolan interest in pursuing observer status at the 2009 Lisbon CD summit. Telles said he would keep Mozena informed of the GRA response. During the discussion on how the CD might provide tangible assistance to Angola's September legislative elections, Telles opined that the CD was not yet equipped with the means or resources to provide concrete support to the election process or to provide election observers. He added that there was not enough time before the election for the CD to develop real expertise in this regard. When queried on to whether the planned EU election observer teams might be double-hatted as a CD team, Telles demurred, doubtful that this idea would win broad support. Looking ahead, Telles expressed the hope that the CD would be able to play a more tangible role in supporting an anticipated 2009 presidential election. COMMENT -------------- ¶3. (SBU) We welcome Portugal's leadership in reaching out to the Angolans on engaging with the Community of Democracies. We think the prospect of an affiliation with the CD will bolster GRA resolve to make the upcoming elections free, fair and transparent. We will underscore the Portuguese demarche in our ongoing interaction with the GRA. MOZENA