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