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