Municipality Approves Chancery Street Closure

UNCLAS MAPUTO 000984 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, OBO/CFSM/SM/SCD/SEB FOR BETH KEMPTON, DS/PSD/PCB FOR ANDRAE SMITH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AMGT ASEC PGOV PREL MZ SUBJECT: Municipality Approves Chancery Street Closure ¶1. (SBU) The Charge met with the President of the Maputo Municipal Council (Mayor equivalent) David Simango on August 28 to discuss the longstanding Embassy request to close the public street which dissects Embassy Maputo, comprised of a cluster of converted residences. The Charge observed that although security barrier gates at either end of this street prevent vehicular traffic, pedestrians have free and essentially unhindered access to the street and sidewalk. The Charge reviewed again Embassy plans to erect fences and permanent barriers to block pedestrian access to address safety and security concerns which have been on hold pending government approvalQdespite multiple requests over the past several years. The Charge concluded that in June, both the Minister of the Presidency and the Foreign Minister confirmed to him that the GRM had agreed to approve the EmbassyQs request to fence off the street and sidewalk. ¶2. (SBU) Simango responded that he had consulted with officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Presidency. On the basis of those conversations, he said the Municipality thereby granted official permission for the closure, and was sending a letter to the Embassy indicating the same. On this basis, the Embassy will move forward on erecting permanent physical barriers to pedestrian traffic through the compound. ¶3. (SBU) Comment: Closure of this road will do much to reduce the EmbassyQs vulnerability to armed attackers on foot. It will also satisfy one of the recommendations outstanding from the 2008 IG report. Embassy greatly appreciates the support of Diplomatic Security and the Office of Buildings Overseas in concluding this project. End Comment. Chapman