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DE RUEHLU #0673/01 1811326
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O 301326Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY LUANDA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3014
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LUANDA 000673 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/30/2016 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PTER AO
SUBJECT: ANGOLA - GRA READY TO SIGN PEACE ACCORD IN CABINDA 
 
REF: A. LUANDA 00096 
     ¶B. LUANDA 00196 
     ¶C. LUANDA 00683 
     ¶D. 05 STATE 171983 
 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR CYNTHIA EFIRD FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) 
 
 ¶1. (C)  Summary: Negotiations for a peace agreement between 
the GRA and the Cabindan Forum for Dialogue (FCD) are set to 
conclude on June 30, 2006.  The agreement recognizes Cabinda 
as a part of Angola, grants special economic status and local 
governance powers to Cabinda, and condemns further acts of 
terrorism and political subversion.  The FCD, currently under 
the leadership of Antonio Bento Bembe, has split into two 
camps ) those that support Bembe and the accord and those 
who do not.  Representatives from Mplabanda and the 
anti-accord faction of the FCD are lobbying for the USG not 
to support the accord, saying it lacks the support of the 
Cabindan people.  In the Embassy's view, this accord, while 
obviously not satisfying all factions, is the best deal the 
FCD could have hoped to negotiate and offers a chance for a 
lasting peace in Cabinda.  It also satisfies the 
long-standing U.S. policy objective of a political settlement 
to the Cabinda dispute based on talks, not violence.  End 
Summary. 
 
-------------------------------------- 
GRA and FCD at the End of Negotiations 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶2. (U) The office of the President of the GRA issued a press 
release indicating that on June 30, 2006, in Massabi, 
Cabinda, the GRA and the Cabindan Forum for Dialogue (FCD) 
will hold conclusive talks leading to a memorandum of 
understanding between the two parties.  The release stated 
that the GRA delegation was led by Presidential Advisor, 
General Helder Vieira Dias &Kopelipa.8  Antonio Bento Bembe 
led the FCD negotiation. 
 
¶3. (U) The release affirms that the FCD recognizes the 
validity of the Constitution and all current Angolan law, 
reiterating their &unequivocal acceptance of the Republic of 
Angola as a united and indivisible state.8  The document 
further states that both the GRA and FCD reject any attempt 
to disrupt the political or constitutional law of Angola, and 
condemn, without reservation, all acts of political 
subversion or terrorism.  The GRA has agreed to give Cabinda 
special economic status and increased involvement in 
provincial and local governance. 
 
---------------------------------------- 
Splintered FCD Taking Separate Positions 
---------------------------------------- 
 
¶4. (C) The FCD has splintered into two groups - those that 
support Bembe and those who believe that Bembe does not 
represent the Cabindan people.  In a June 30, 2006 meeting at 
the Embassy requested by Agostinho Chicaia and Raul Danda, 
the President of Mplabanda and spokesperson for the FCD 
respectively, they lobbied that the USG not support the peace 
accord on grounds that the negotiation process was opaque and 
the accord lacked the support of the Cabindan people.  Both 
noted that they had turned down Vice-Ministerial positions 
offered by the GRA in exchange for supporting the accord. 
They alleged that Bembe was closer to the GRA than the FCD, 
noting that he had been offered a position as the Vice-Chief 
of Staff of the Angolan Army and had been traveling on an 
Angolan diplomatic passport. They were adamant that this 
accord was not supported by the true leadership of the FLEC 
nor Mplabanda and therefore was unlikely to be meaningful in 
the long-term. 
 
------------------------------------- 
Comment ) Peace Accord is a Done Deal 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶5. (C) As suggested Ref A, Bento Bembe has been the key 
interlocutor between the FCD and the GRA.  Bembe and his 
faction grasped the reality of the FCD,s weak position 
vis-a-vis the GRA following the GRA's disruption of external 
support to Cabindan separatists and moved quickly after his 
arrest in Holland to bring the negotiations to a close. 
After the accord is signed, those unwilling to support the 
final outcome will likely face heavy GRA political pressure, 
and possible military action, to come in line with the 
agreement.  The final Memorandum of Understanding should be 
published either this weekend or next week.  According to 
Danda, the official signing of a Peace Accord will take place 
in South Africa and the GRA may ask the USG, the EU, and the 
UN to serve as official observers.  These details have not 
been confirmed. 
 
¶6. (SBU) Comment continued: Movement in the Cabindan peace 
 
LUANDA 00000673  002 OF 002 
 
 
process has been evident over the last several months as 
reported Refs A and B.  The GRA has stepped up offers of 
economic development projects, encouraged meetings on civil 
society build and election training, and succeeded in having 
the Roman Catholic bishop seated in his Cathedral in Cabinda 
(Ref C).  The GRA has detained local Cabindan separatist 
leaders for several hours following demonstrations or 
episodes of civil disobedience, but none remain in custody. 
The Angolan NGO Association for Justice, Peace, and Democracy 
(AJPD) has held human rights training for police in Cabinda 
and expects to move into training Angolan soldiers as well. 
 
¶7. (C) Comment continued: Embassy requests talking points in 
the event that we are asked about our position on the accord. 
 We recommend reiterating the long-standing USG policy of 
supporting a political solution that preserves the 
territorial integrity of Angola, encourages democratic 
processes and respect for human rights, and is the result of 
negotiation rather than violence.  If asked about the status 
of Bembe himself, we will use previous guidance (Ref D). 
 
¶8. (C) Comment continued: Due to the significant level of 
investment by U.S. companies in Cabinda. We recommend that we 
brief that major companies' local representatives 
immediately.  End Comment. 
EFIRD