Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08LUANDA598
2008-08-05 19:45:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Luanda
Cable title:  

FOREIGN MINISTER CONCEDES "ERRORS" IN EXPELLING

Tags:  PGOV PHUM PREL AO 
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VZCZCXRO4062
PP RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHLU #0598/01 2181945
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 051945Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY LUANDA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4943
INFO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LUANDA 000598 

SIPDIS

E FOR U/S JEFFERY
DRL FOR MDAVIS
PRM FOR MLANGE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/04/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL AO
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER CONCEDES "ERRORS" IN EXPELLING
ILLEGAL CONGOLESE

REF: A. LUANDA 0593

B. HARTLEY-HARRIS E-MAIL 30JULY2008

C. LUANDA 0191

D. LUANDA 026

E. KINSHASA 0598

Classified By: AMB DAN MOZENA FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LUANDA 000598

SIPDIS

E FOR U/S JEFFERY
DRL FOR MDAVIS
PRM FOR MLANGE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/04/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL AO
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER CONCEDES "ERRORS" IN EXPELLING
ILLEGAL CONGOLESE

REF: A. LUANDA 0593

B. HARTLEY-HARRIS E-MAIL 30JULY2008

C. LUANDA 0191

D. LUANDA 026

E. KINSHASA 0598

Classified By: AMB DAN MOZENA FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)


1. (C) SUMMARY: During a friendly, hour-long meeting with
Ambassador Mozena on August 4th, Angolan Foreign Minister
Joao Miranda highlighted the GRA's desire for deeper economic
ties with the U.S., admitted "errors" in the conduct of
expulsions of illegal Congolese immigrants, and downplayed a
recent communique from his Ministry that suggested the GRA
has security concerns regarding travel outside Luanda.
Miranda said he expects the September 5 legislative elections
to be peaceful and credible. Apologizing for the long delay
since his last meeting with the U.S. Ambassador, Miranda
suggested more frequent meetings. As the proof of the
pudding is in the tasting, a skeptical Embassy withholds
judgment as to whether Miranda will now be more accessible.
END SUMMARY

In Search of Deeper Ties
--------------


2. (SBU) Ambassador Mozena described the Mission's efforts
since his January accreditation to work with the GRA to
realize a vision of a peaceful, secure, democratic, healthy,
and prosperous Angola, a vision that President dos Santos
said he shared at the Ambassador's credentialing (reftel D).
The Ambassador also called for early agreement on a Trade and
Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) to deepen economic
ties. Mozena added that he hopes to explore with the GRA the
possibility of establishing a Peace Corps program in Angola
to teach English at the secondary school level. The
Ambassador also called for deeper implementation of military
IMET programs.


3. (SBU) Miranda expressed deep appreciation for the July
21-22 visit of U/S Reuben Jeffery. He noted the visit's
importance and Jeffery's distinction as the highest-ranking
visitor to Angola since 2002 and the highest American
official ever to visit with the aim of deepening bilateral
economic cooperation. Noting that the U.S. remains Angola's
largest investor through its massive commitments in the oil

and gas sectors, Miranda hoped Jeffery would carry the
message that Angola is looking for other forms of investment
and economic diversification. Miranda said the GRA is
studying possible development of exports of fish, bananas,
and pineapple to the U.S., and stressed the key role that the
U.S.-Angola Chamber of Commence should continue to play in
promoting investment in Angola. Ambassador Mozena cited
Chiquita's recent investment in banana exports (reftel C),
which will directly and indirectly create over 11,000 new
jobs, as an example of ways in which U.S. investment benefits
Angola.

"Errors Made" on Congolese Expulsions
-------------- --------------


4. (C) Ambassador Mozena emphasized that Angola's negative
image overseas is a barrier to U.S. investment. Reports of
severe human rights violations, such as those reported during
mass expulsions of illegal Congolese immigrants (reftel E),
mar Angola's reputation. In response to the Ambassador's
call for a swift, transparent, and public investigation of
the allegations, Miranda acknowledged "procedural errors"
were made in the expulsions. He said GRA policies require
that, prior to the execution of major expulsion campaigns,
consulate and Embassy personnel from affected countries be
invited as witnesses to verify the conditions in which their
citizens are treated by Angolan authorities. Understaffed
border police have asked military units to help conduct
expulsions, and the military units "unfortunately disregarded
the rules," according to Miranda.


5. (C) Miranda said he "might agree" that some excessive
force was used in the expulsions, but considers reports of
violations "overstated." He further asserted that refugees
who arrive in Angola with no belongings should expect to
leave the same way, and that the GRA has a right to search
expellees for diamonds that cannot legally leave Angola. In
his view it was regrettable that procedures were not followed
in these expulsions, as it makes it difficult for the GRA to
"defend itself" from the accusations of international human
rights organizations.

LUANDA 00000598 002 OF 002



No Security Concerns for Elections
--------------


6. (SBU) Turning to the September 5 legislative elections,
Miranda expressed his belief that the elections will be
peaceful and credible. He was pleased to hear that the
Embassy had received an official invitation from the National
Electoral Commission to be credentialed as election
observers. Miranda said President dos Santos is likely to
remain in-country following the elections to stand up the new
government; by law the new assembly must convene 30 days
after election results are announced. Though a final
decision has yet to be made, this circumstance may preclude
dos Santos' attendance at the September opening of the UN
General Assembly.


7. (C) Ambassador Mozena reiterated the importance that
peaceful, credible elections will play in showing the world
the progress Angola has made in six years of peace. The
Ambassador noted that a recent diplomatic note (reftel B)
from the Ministry, which requests all diplomatic missions and
international organizations to notify the Foreign Ministry
(MIREX) three working days prior to all travel by any staff
member outside of Luanda so MIREX can ensure security,
suggests the GRA has security concerns surrounding the
elections. Miranda quickly downplayed the note and denied
any security issues, only concern for proper protocol
procedures. He said provincial governors have complained to
MIREX that many Ambassadors are traveling to the provinces
without notification to or courtesy calls with local
government officials. He stressed the note was intended
strictly for high-level provincial visits. Even a phone call
to the America's desk would suffice, he continued. NOTE:
Miranda has a history of downplaying the importance of
protocol issues, and the MIREX Protocol Office in turn is
known use protocol as a means to obstruct diplomatic
engagement. We believe the Protocol Office may be the source
of this dipnote. Until we receive instruction from
Washington, we will interpret the note as Miranda indicated -
applicable only to official travel for the Ambassador, DCM,
and USAID Mission Director. END NOTE


8. (C) COMMENT: Although warm and substantive, the meeting
was many months overdue. Miranda's apology for the delay
seemed sincere; less certain is the sincerity of his offer
for more frequent bilateral exchange. If the Foreign
Minister truly wants to deepen relations with the U.S., the
American Ambassador should not have to wait another 8 months
for their next private meeting. END COMMENT
MOZENA