GULF OF GUINEA COMMISSION READY FOR US ENGAGEMENT

UNCLAS LUANDA 000085

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR AO
SUBJECT: GULF OF GUINEA COMMISSION READY FOR US ENGAGEMENT


1. Summary: During a February 9 meeting with the Ambassador,
newly appointed Executive Secretary of the Gulf of Guinea
Commission Miguel Trovoada expressed support for engagement
with the US on security cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea.
To this end he proposed that the USG work with the commission
to identify specific areas for cooperation. Trovoda, past
president of Sao Tome and Principe, said the commission is
focused on protecting natural resources (especially oil and
fish),preventing piracy, and strengthening security
cooperation among its member states. In Post's view,
Trovoada's expressed desire to work with the US in bolstering
Gulf of Guinea security meshes well with the explicit
December 2008 Angolan request for USG assistance with
maritime security. Post proposes that concerned USG agencies
take up Trovoada's offer and explore possibilities for
cooperation with the commission on Gulf of Guinea security.
An exploratory meeting in Luanda could be a possible first
step. End Summary.


2. Trovoada described the commission's goal to coordinate
actions among member states to manage their common natural
endowments including the rainforest, maritime resources, and
oil production. He said the commission could ameliorate
border conflicts between Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria
and Cameroon, and other states. He further stated that an
upcoming ministerial conference on defense would address the
prevention of piracy.


3. Trovoada said the commission welcomes American military
expertise and expressed interest in security-related
conferences, consultancies, official visits, and other
engagement. He was interested in the Automatic
Identification System (AIS),a maritime tracking system
supported by the USG, and said that he would distribute any
information that we might provide to the commission member
states (Note: Post will give the commission information on
AIS, a system that we have already introduced to the
Angolans. End note.) On other areas of possible engagement,
Trovoada said a principal constraint affecting the commission
is communication since the eight member states speak four
different languages. He opined that Portuguese and English
would evolve into the commission's working languages. He
inquired as to whether the USG could play a role in teaching
English to commission members (Note: Post will assess whether
US training for the Angolan military could be extended to
include staff from the commission. End note.)


4. Comment: Trovoada's heart is in the right place in trying
to design a meaningful program to effect his mandate, i.e.
increased security in the Gulf of Guinea. His stature as a
respected former head of state with strengthen his hand. In
Post's view, Trovoada expressed desire to work with the US in
bolstering Gulf of Guinea security meshes well with the
explicit December 2008 Angolan request for USG assistance
with maritime security. Post proposes that concerned USG
agencies take up Trovoada's offer and explore possibilities
for cooperation with the commission on Gulf of Guinea
security. An exploratory meeting in Luanda could be a
possible first step. End Comment.
MOZENA