DEFENSE MINISTER EXUDES CHARM, BUT CAN HE DELIVER?

C O N F I D E N T I A L LUANDA 000087 SIPDIS SIPDIS NSC FOR LEO/PITTMAN E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2013 TAGS: MOPS MARR PREL AO SUBJECT: DEFENSE MINISTER EXUDES CHARM, BUT CAN HE DELIVER? REF: A) LUANDA 31 B) LUANDA 26 Classified By: Ambassador Mozena for Reasons 1.5 (B) and (D). ¶1. (C) Summary: In contrast to recent encounters with Embassy officials, Defense Minister Kundi Paihama was warm and ebullient during a January 24 courtesy call by Ambassador Mozena. Echoing a theme heard during Mozena's other calls on senior GRA and MPLA leaders (reftels),Paihama agreed that "the past is the past" and said Angola is looking forward to a broad relationship with the United States, particularly in expanded American investment in Angola beyond the oil sector. Paihama offered to be Mozena's primary interlocutor for military affairs, an offer Mozena took up to draw the minister's attention to an upcoming ship visit and proposed visit by NAVEUR ADM Fitzgerald. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Minister Paihama said he agreed with Mozena's view that the long relations between the two countries had some chapters that were better than others. He said the United States, at times, has misunderstood Angola, viewing the nation solely through the lens of a western power. In a friendly fashion, Paihama said Angola, like any nation, demands respect and should not be lectured or dictated to. Paihama and Mozena agreed that listening to each other's expectations and needs is fundamental to the success of future engagement. When Mozena described U.S. interests as an Africa and an Angola that are peaceful, secure, prosperous, healthy, and democratic, Paihama agreed, declaring that Angola fully shares these goals. ¶3. (C) Paihama said a new Angola is coming to life based on business and wealth rather than war, proudly displaying an impressive collection of heavy gold jewelry he was wearing. He said the U.S. and Angola can "make money together" and advocated an expansion of U.S. investment beyond the petroleum and diamond sectors. When Mozena raised the issue of Angola's complicated and time-consuming investment climate as an impediment to investment, Paihama agreed and pronounced that Angola must do more to become investor-friendly. ¶4. (C) Taking up Paihama's offer to be the Ambassador's contact on defense matters at any time, Mozena raised the upcoming ship visit of the USS Swift and the possible visit of NAVEUR Admiral Fitzgerald to Angola. Paihama enthusiastically endorsed both visits and quickly ordered his staff to help make them happen. ¶5. (C) Comment: In contrast to his conduct during recent past meetings with Embassy officers, but consistent with the tone and demeanor of senior GRA and MPLA officials during Mozena's other calls, Paihama was warm and ebullient throughout the meeting, which ended with bear hugs for the Ambassador and Paihama's looking up his own number on his cell phone and writing that number and his residence numbers on the business card he gave Mozena. The GRA's assistance (or lack thereof) in facilitating the ship visit and ADM Fitgerald's possible visit will reveal soon how sincere the Angolans are in wanting to foster mil-mil relations with us. If, indeed, they are serious, we are ready to engage at a measured pace on a range of military issues. MOZENA