ANGOLA'S CURRENT AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES TO BE THE

UNCLAS LUANDA 000596 FOR AF/PD (CLAUDIA ANYASO, DAN WHITMAN, RUSSELL BROOKS, LYNN ALLISON) SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP PGOV AO SUBJECT: ANGOLA'S CURRENT AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES TO BE THE NEXT FOREIGN MINISTER? ¶1. (SBU) The Angolan private weekly newspaper, Angolense, published an article on page 35 entitled, "Foresight into the MPLA's Next Government." The article posits that Angola's current Ambassador to the United States, Josefina Pitra Diakite, is a serious contender to be Foreign Minister in the government that emerges following the September 5 legislative elections. The article suggests that current Foreign Minister Joao Miranda, currently number 32 on the MPLA's list of candidates in the upcoming race, will take a seat in Parliament rather than continue as Foreign Minister. ¶2. (SBU) The article has been met with skepticism around Luanda. The author of the article is outside of Angola and is considered to have little access to "insider" information on the MPLA decision-making process. Many high-ranking MPLA members - including President Jose Eduardo dos Santos - are on the MPLA's candidate list; most, including possibly Miranda, are expected to decline positions in Parliament in favor high-ranking executive positions. While Miranda may move to another position in government, Diakite is seen by many here as an unlikely replacement, as she is not a member of the MPLA's highest echelons, the pool from which Foreign Minister would likely be selected. ¶3. (SBU) COMMENT: We report this speculation for what it may be worth. We understand that similar rumors of Diakite's possible promotion are circulating in Washington. The Embassy's own view at this point is that the plum Foreign Minister job would likely remain with Miranda or go to someone much higher in the MPLA food chain. END COMMENT