ZUMA'S FIRST STATE VISIT INTENDS TO IMPROVE

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRETORIA 001737


DEPT FOR AF/S - LOGANTP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2019
TAGS: PREL SF AO
SUBJECT: ZUMA'S FIRST STATE VISIT INTENDS TO IMPROVE
RELATIONS WITH ANGOLA

Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Madeline Q. Seidenstricker.
Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: South African President Jacob Zuma made a
strategic choice to go to Angola for his first state visit
August 19-21. At the top of Zuma's agenda were economics and
cooperation on regional issues. The bilateral relationship
suffered due to personal conflicts between former South
African President Thabo Mbeki and Angolan President Jose
Eduardo dos Santos. Zuma's more congenial, less ideological
disposition presents an opportunity for a closer bilateral
relationship. Both sides appeared to treat the visit with
utmost importance and observers are lauding its success. End
summary.


2. (C) In his address to the Angolan National Assembly, Zuma
appealed to Angolans on the basis of historical ties. He
thanked the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola
(MPLA) and Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola (FAPLA)
specifically for their assistance to the African National
Congress in fighting the apartheid government. He said, "The
South African democratic victory in 1994 was a victory of the
Angolan people" and also expressed appreciation to the
Russians and Cubans for their support. As described by
Institute for Security Studies analyst Paula Roque, "Zuma
knows how to engage Luanda." In addition to giving thanks
for liberation era support, this included a high profile
delegation of 11 ministers and over 150 business
representatives, which Zuma repeatedly pointed out was the
largest business delegation ever to attend a State visit by a
South African president since 1994.


3. (U) Zuma emphasized that the improved relations between
South Africa and Angola would "change the economic landscape
of Southern Africa." Addressing the South Africa-Angola
Business Forum, Zuma discussed the establishment of a
Presidential Bi-National Commission that would facilitate
cooperation in various areas, including trade and industry,
mining and energy, defense and security, immigration,
tourism, communication, science and technology, banking,
agriculture and transportation. He mentioned South African
private sector interests in Angola's reconstruction and other
sectors. He also looked towards new business opportunities
for South African companies in agricultural field and
information technology and eradication of landmines, for
example. Zuma mentioned resurrecting regional economic
integration.


4. (C) Zuma highlighted the need "to forge a common position
on regional, continental and international issues that will
benefit our countries and the continent at large," including
regional crises such as Zimbabwe, Madagascar and Sudan.
Roque pointed out that Angola is the second largest
contributor after South Africa to the Southern Africa
Development Community brigade standby force. She said South
Africa would like to see Angola become a major contributor to
peacekeeping missions in the region. Zuma also seeks a
unified front to push forward reform of multilateral
institutions such as the UN Security Council, G8 and
international financial institutions. He stressed the
importance of Angola and South Africa standing together at
international fora, including the World Trade Organization,
World Economic Forum and Non-Aligned Movement.


5. (C) Comment: Roque emphasized that differences between
South Africa and Angola on questions of democracy will
continue to be problematic for the bilateral relationship.
She said, "Zuma won't risk annoying Luanda on elections and
democracy." Moreover, she thinks that while Angolans
recognize some benefits to having South Africa's support on
continental issues, they view Luanda's willingness to forge
stronger economic relations as a "favor" to South Africa. End
comment.


6. (U) Embassy Luanda cleared on this cable.


GIPS