Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LUANDA103
2009-02-17 06:39:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Luanda
Cable title:  

ANGOLA: AWASH IN ANTIQUATED AND ILL-SECURED MANPADS

Tags:  PARM PTER AO 
pdf how-to read a cable
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P 170639Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY LUANDA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5329
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L LUANDA 000103 

SIPDIS

AFRICOM FOR POLAD JERRY LANIER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/13/2019
TAGS: PARM PTER AO
SUBJECT: ANGOLA: AWASH IN ANTIQUATED AND ILL-SECURED MANPADS

Classified By: Ambassador Dan Mozena for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L LUANDA 000103

SIPDIS

AFRICOM FOR POLAD JERRY LANIER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/13/2019
TAGS: PARM PTER AO
SUBJECT: ANGOLA: AWASH IN ANTIQUATED AND ILL-SECURED MANPADS

Classified By: Ambassador Dan Mozena for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: Zeca Agostinho, Deputy Country Representative
for UK-based HALO Trust, an NGO that specializes in demining
and destruction of excess munitions, told Post that Angola's
excess MANPADS (man-portable anti-aircraft defense systems)
are dangerously stored and poorly inventoried. According to
Agostinho, the GRA has not disclosed the total number of
MANPADS in storage. Given limited access by the Angolan
military (FAA) to MANPADS storage sites in Malange, Luanda
and Lubango, Agostinho saw at least three hundred MANPADS
this past year, ranging from obsolete SAM-7 models to
SAM-14s. HALO hopes USG pressure will encourage the GRA to
take advantage of HALO's Weapons and Ammunition Destruction
(WAD) program to address the safety and security risks posed
by Angola's MANPADS stockpile. End Summary


2. (C) During a recent meeting with the DCM, Zeca Agostinho
explained that during a January 2007 tour of MANPADS storage
sites in Malange, FAA leadership had invited HALO to assist
in the destruction of Angola's expired MANPADS caches.
However, two months later, the FAA notified HALO that
President dos Santos had declared the FAA's MANPADS essential
to the security of the country and off limits to HALO
workers. The FAA explained to Agostinho that the president
wanted to keep the MANPADs out of the wrong hands by storing
them in secure facilities rather than destroying them.


3. (C) Agostinho stated that over the past year he has seen
50 MANPADS in Malange, 200 in Luanda, and 50 in Lubango. He
added that he has received reports of MANPADS being stored in
Cabinda and elsewhere. HALO made some progress gaining
access to MANPADS, despite the moratorium on their
destruction. HALO confirmed the destruction of one SAM-7 in
February 2008 that was submitted by the national police. In
July 2008, police in Lubango submitted another SAM-7 for
destruction, as well as a launching tube and grip stock.


4. (C) Although pleased with the destruction of two MANPADs
in 2008, Agostinho expressed frustration with the Angolan
government over its reluctance to store MANPADS properly and
to dispose of obsolete MANPADS. To his knowledge only the US
and British government are engaging the GRA on this issue. To
date, HALO has never asked for USG assistance in working with
the GRA. During this meeting, however, Agostinho said HALO
would appreciate a more vocal approach by the USG with the
GRA, adding that he does not believe the GRA will change its
policy on MANPADS security and destruction without outside
pressure.


5. (C) Comment: The poor state of many of the GRA's MANPADS
and the lack of security at storage facilities are
significant issues of concern for Angola ... and for us.
Post will engage the Angolans on the need to destroy excess,
poorly maintained and stored munitions, including MANPADS, to
diminish the risk of a disastrous ammunition dump explosion,
such as the deadly one in Maputo a few years ago. MANPADS
not destroyed will need to be stored securely. Successful
completion of negotiations of the proposed
military-to-military MOU will improve our chances for
meaningful cooperation on this sensitive issue. End Comment
MOZENA