VZCZCXRO8088
RR RUEHMR
DE RUEHLU #0455 1181140
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 281140Z APR 06
FM AMEMBASSY LUANDA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2800
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L LUANDA 000455 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/S - DMOZENA, JMALONEY 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/27/2016 
TAGS: PGOV PREL AO
SUBJECT: ANGOLA - UNITA AND MPLA TRADING BARBS PRIOR TO 
PRESIDENT DOS SANTOS RETURN HOME 
 
 
¶1. (U) Opposition party leaders, led by UNITA, called the GRA 
into a April 25, 2006, question and answer session at the 
National Assembly to discuss concerns over the ongoing 
cholera outbreak, the demolition of homes in neighborhoods 
surrounding Luanda, and internal security.  The GRA 
delegation, led by Prime Minister Fernando dos Santos "Nando" 
and Minister of Defense Kundi Paihama, engaged in a lengthy 
debate on issues rarely discussed in Angola in a public 
forum.  While UNITA had hoped to score points on the GRA's 
response to the cholera outbreak and concerns over internal 
security, Nando one-upped them by announcing a new USD 5 
million dollar program to stop the spread of cholera. 
Paihama then took the offensive, alleging that secret UNITA 
weapons caches in Angola and Togo were a threat to Angola's 
security.  UNITA President Samakuva retaliated with a press 
release highlighting UNITA's commitment to peace and then 
publicly inquired about President dos Santos's health, a 
topic which for the most part has been left publicly 
unaddressed despite rumors. President dos Santos arrived in 
Luanda April 27, reportedly in excellent health. 
 
¶2. (SBU)  Comment:  UNITA's attempt to call the GRA to task 
backfired.  Instead of coming out the session as a defender 
of the people, UNITA was forced to address deep-seated fears 
that it has intentions of rearming and returning to combat 
should it lose in the upcoming elections -- as it did in 
¶1992.  Missteps like these weaken the opposition's ability to 
engage the GRA effectively on policy issues.  End Comment. 
EFIRD