(C/NF) QUESTIONS ABOUT ANGOLAN PRESIDENT DOS

S E C R E T STATE 085653

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/17/2034
TAGS: PINR AO
SUBJECT: (C/NF) QUESTIONS ABOUT ANGOLAN PRESIDENT DOS
SANTOS' HEALTH AND POSSIBLE SUCCESSORS

Classified By: MICHAEL P. OWENS, ACTING DIR, INR/OPS. REASON: 1.4(C).


1. (S/NF) WASHINGTON ANALYSTS APPRECIATE POST'S COVERAGE OF
ANGOLAN PRESIDENT DOS SANTOS' HEALTH, AS WELL AS POSSIBLE
SUCCESSION SCENARIOS IN ANGOLA. IN LIGHT OF THE UPCOMING UN
GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN SEPTEMBER, ANALYSTS ARE SEEKING FURTHER
INFORMATION TO UPDATE POLICYMAKERS ON THE CURRENT STATUS OF
DOS SANTOS' HEALTH AND ANY POSSIBLE INSTABILITY IN THE RUN-UP
TO UNGA. AS TIME AND RESOURCES ALLOW, ANALYSTS WOULD HIGHLY
VALUE ANY INFORMATION ON THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:


2. (S/NF) HAVE DOS SANTOS' ACTIVITIES, BEHAVIOR, OR MENTAL
FUNCTIONING CHANGED RECENTLY?


3. (S/NF) HAS HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH FAMILY OR CLOSE AIDES
CHANGED, AND WHOM DOES HE RELY UPON THE MOST IN HIS
DECISION-MAKING?


4. (S/NF) IF DOS SANTOS DOES NOT ATTEND MEETINGS, DOES
SOMEONE ELSE RUN THEM IN HIS ABSENCE, OR DOES GOVERNMENT
BUSINESS GO UNDONE? HOW MUCH, AND TO WHOM DOES HE DELEGATE?


5. (S/NF) IS THERE MUCH DISCUSSION ABOUT DOS SANTOS' HEALTH
ISSUES OR WHO MIGHT SUCCEED HIM IN PRIVATE OR GOVERNMENT
CIRCLES? ARE OFFICIALS JOCKEYING FOR HIS POSITION, AND IF SO,
WHO?
CLINTON