SA WOLPE IN KINSHASA 2/3: ANGOLAN RESOURCES,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 001061

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2019
TAGS: PREL PBTS PHSA PREF CG
SUBJECT: SA WOLPE IN KINSHASA 2/3: ANGOLAN RESOURCES,

REFUGEES, AND ROLE IN THE REGION

REF: A) KINSHASA 957 B) KINSHASA 1056

Classified By: Ambassador William J. Garvelink for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).


1. (SBU) Summary: Special Advisor for the Great Lakes Howard
Wolpe met with GDRC decision makers and key foreign
ambassadors as part of his November 13-17 visit to Kinshasa
in which he outlined USG objectives and initiatives in the
region (reftel B). In meetings with GDRC Foreign Minister
Thambwe Mwamba and Angolan Ambassador to the DRC Emilio
Guerra, SA Wolpe discussed Angolan-DRC relations, competing
claims over natural resources, and the recent tit-for-tat
expulsions of cross-border nationals. This is the second of
three cables regarding SA Wolpe's official visit to Kinshasa.
The third in the series will report on prospects for the
Eastern DRC. End summary.

USG Arbitration Over Exxon Oil?
--------------


2. (C) Foreign Minister Thambwe asked SA Wolpe for USG
arbitration of the ongoing maritime boundary dispute between
the DRC and Angola. The countries contest Block 15, a sea
area encompassing four major Exxon oil wells reputed to
account for up to 30 per cent of Angola's annual oil
production with estimated reserves of 4 billion barrels.
Thambwe said the DRC prefers arbitration to pursuing either
an UNCLOS or ICJ ruling (Note: Ambassador Garvelink
responded that he was still awaiting instructions from
Washington. End note).


3. (C) Ambassador Guerra said DRC Prime Minister Adolphe
Muzito went to Angola in April to discuss the dispute over
the continental shelf, which defines the exclusive economic
zone. As a result of those meetings, the two countries
agreed to a joint working group to consider assistance and
cooperation, resolve disagreements over the status of
refugees, and define land and sea borders. The subsequent
GDRC parliamentary resolution that preemptively defined the
borders disappointed Guerra who said the act violated the
spirit of discussion.


4. (C) Guerra said a rumored meeting between Presidents
Kabila and Dos Santos did not/not take place; however, Angola
recently requested a meeting between the presidents. Guerra
said the GDRC claims to have replied in writing to the
request but Angola has not received the response.

The Refugee Question--Hard as Diamonds
--------------


5. (C) Guerra defended Angola's forced repatriations of
Congolese residents (reftel A) as necessary to end illicit
activity, protect natural resources, and prevent the
development of a militia armed with former UNITA weapons.
Guerra said Congolese expelled from Cabinda were involved in
prostitution, drug trade, and counterfeiting, but Congolese
were not specifically targeted in an immigration crackdown
along the DRC's southern border with Angola. Those
expulsions were part of the GOA's larger ongoing operation
against illegal diamond mining by undocumented migrants,
among them Chinese, Malians, Senegalese, Vietnamese, and,
over the last three years, approximately 170,000 Congolese.
The Angolan ambassador said that his country had lost between
$350-700 million in lost diamond revenues as a result of
unauthorized artisanal mining.

Peace in the Great Lakes
--------------


6. (SBU) Wolpe discussed the hope that the EU, the USG and
others had that Angola might join the emerging network of
Qothers had that Angola might join the emerging network of
Special Envoys who might work together on Great Lakes issues,
especially on DRC security sector reform. Wolpe explained
that if the special envoys from major western and African
countries spoke with a unified voice, the DRC would be more
inclined toward action and less able to play off one donor
country against another. In response to Wolpe's regional
training proposals, Guerra suggested expanding the program to
include ministers and governors because "politics and
political questions are at the heart of the problems in the
East." Wolpe noted that, in point of fact, the ongonig DRC
leadership training initiative had involved many governors

KINSHASA 00001061 002 OF 002


and some ministers.


7. (C) Comment: The prospect of the DRC becoming a major
oil producer is the simplest explanation for the mounting
tensions between DRC and Angola. While it's not clear if
science and international law would support one maritime
claim over the other as presented in their respective UNCLOS
preliminary filings, Angolan reactions seem to lend some
credence to DRC claims. Some report Angola offered $600
Million in arrears for use of DRC maritime territory and is
negotiating a communal interest zone (ZIC) in which DRC and
Angola will share future profits of oil production. Post
will continue reporting on DRC's external relations with key
regional players. End comment.


8. (U) Special Advisor Wolpe cleared this message.
GARVELINK