Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08LUANDA98
2008-01-31 13:15:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Luanda
Cable title:  

LEADER OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SAYS GOVERNMENT "NEEDS

Tags:  PGOV PREL AO 
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VZCZCXRO6142
PP RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHLU #0098 0311315
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 311315Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY LUANDA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4582
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L LUANDA 000098 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2013
TAGS: PGOV PREL AO
SUBJECT: LEADER OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SAYS GOVERNMENT "NEEDS
MORE TIME"


Classified By: Ambassador Dan Mozena for Reasons 1.5 (B) and (D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L LUANDA 000098

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2013
TAGS: PGOV PREL AO
SUBJECT: LEADER OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SAYS GOVERNMENT "NEEDS
MORE TIME"


Classified By: Ambassador Dan Mozena for Reasons 1.5 (B) and (D).


1. (C) Summary: Acknowledging that the National Assembly has
yet to grow fully into its constitutional role as the primary
originating body for legislation, its President, Roberto de
Almeida, nevertheless credits the National Assembly for
creating a forum that has consolidated peace and
reconciliation. During a January 28 call by Ambassador
Mozena, de Almeida agreed that the U.S. and Angola share
common goals toward a more peaceful, secure, prosperous,
healthy, and democratic Angola and Africa. Referring to the
September legislative elections, de Almeida predicted the
people will give the government more time to continue its
reconstruction work, in spite of some impatience with the
seemingly slow progress of development. De Almeida welcomed
an invitation to lead a group of parliamentarians to the U.S.
to observe the U.S. election process. End Summary.


2. (C) National Assembly President Roberto de Almeida told
Ambassador Mozena during a January 28 call that the MPLA
government "needs more time" to meet the needs of the Angolan
people. He said Angolans are now more confident in the
post-war future of their country, but the confidence has led
to impatience over the lack of progress made in public
housing, water, energy, education, and health care. While
his tone was non-partisan, de Almeida suggested the MPLA
would do well in the upcoming elections because voters would
understand how hard the government has worked to overcome the
obstacles left behind after decades of civil war.


3. (C) Responding to a question concerning the legacy left by
the long-serving National Assembly, de Almeida told Mozena
the legislature brought peace and civil discourse to the
people of Angola. He said the National Assembly, after a
difficult period post 1992, eventually became a "house that
recognizes peace and the need for reconciliation," which he
lauded as the Assembly's greatest achievement. Concerning
other legislative accomplishments, de Almeida pointed to the
Assembly's current work to reform the penal code, which would
modernize Angola's colonial laws, which have been unchanged
since the early 1900's.


4. (U) De Almeida requested U.S. assistance in building a
relationship between the National Assembly and the U.S.
Congress. Mozena reminded de Almeida that the USG last July
had organized a visit to the U.S. for members of the National
Assembly through the Voluntary Visitors Program, but the trip
was scrubbed at the last moment at the request of the GRA.
De Almeida, who was out of the country for medical reasons at
the time, seemed unaware of the proposed trip. Mozena
offered to organize a new visit for the parliamentarians, and
de Almeida readily accepted.


5. (C) Comment: The National Assembly is little more than a
rubber stamp for legislation written in the Council of
Ministers. De Almeida correctly credits the National
Assembly with creating a forum where divergent political
views could be expressed and respected ... and vented
peacefully. With time, the National Assembly could grow into
its role as a meaningful legislative body. September's
elections and the infusion of new members could speed welcome
changes toward legislative maturity, a process we and other
supporters of democratic growth in Angola should nurture to
the extent possible.
MOZENA