VZCZCXRO2002
RR RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHLU #0624/01 1721401
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 211401Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY LUANDA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4092
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 LUANDA 000624 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF, AF/PD; R 
STATE PASS TO USAID:AFR/SA - ELOKEN, IMCNAIRN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/21/2016 
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON EFIN OVIP AO
SUBJECT: ANGOLAN GOVERNMENT WARMLY RECEIVES A/S FRAZER 
 
Classified By: Amb. Cynthia Efird for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
¶1. (C) Summary: In meetings with GRA officials A/S Jendayi 
Frazer reinforced the US-Angola bilateral relationship, 
generating much goodwill and amplifying the USG message that 
we want to develop a strong partnership with Angola, one 
based on mutual respect, democracy, and good economic 
governance.  The GRA reiterated its interest in signing a 
Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), and said it 
was still considering strengthening bilateral military 
cooperation through signing ACOTA, a SOFA and accepting the 
proposed mil-mil cooperation plan.  However, the GRA made 
clear that it was preoccupied with military transformation 
and not prepared at this time to send troops to participate 
in international peacekeeping operations in Sudan or Somalia 
though it did not rule out providing technical assistance; 
and in Congo would only continue with training programs. 
Finally, on Zimbabwe, the GRA held fast to its oft-stated 
policy of non-interference in the domestic issues of other 
sovereign countries, by supporting the Mbeki-led mediation 
process between ruling ZANU-PF and opposition MDC as the best 
way forward.  Media coverage was extensive and favorable on 
governmental and opposition radio, television, and print 
media. End Summary. 
 
¶2. (U) This cable covers bilateral meetings held in Luanda on 
May 31, 2007, between Assistant Secretary Frazer and Minister 
of Foreign Relations Joao Bernardo Miranda and Vice Minister 
of Defense General Agostinho Nelumba &Sanjar,8 and Admiral 
Andre Mendes de Carvalho "Miau."  Economic themed events and 
meetings; election-related meetings and visits, and bilateral 
assistance, including public-private partnerships, are 
reported in septels.  Ambassador Frazer was accompanied by 
Ambassador Efird and a notetaker for each meeting.  Angolan 
Ambassador to the United States Josefina Pitra Diakite also 
attended all the meetings, as well as GRA staff. 
 
Foreign Minister: Strong Bilateral Relationship and Desire 
for Increased Economic Ties 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
¶3. (C) Minister Miranda opened by thanking A/S Frazer for her 
speech on Angola Day (May 9, 2007 in Washington) noting that 
the combination of her strong speech and visit to Angola 
encourages the GRA in its efforts to improve.  While pleased 
by the strong growth of Angola's economy, he characterized 
the oil-driven growth as a "balloon filling with air" that at 
some point risks bursting.  He stated that the GRA hopes that 
relationships fostered through organizations such as the 
U.S.-Angola Chamber of Commerce will result in increased U.S. 
investment in non-oil sectors of the economy, reiterating the 
GRA,s need to diversify its economy and spread the benefits 
of economic growth to a greater number of people.  He said 
the GRA would like to work out the technical details 
necessary to sign the TIFA.  In response to the A/S' question 
on transparency, Miranda stated that most flaws found on the 
financial books are due to lack of capacity, and that the 
Ministry of Finance is working to increase transparency in 
both Sonangol and the Angolan National Bank.  The A/S pointed 
out that increased U.S. investment depends on a favorable 
business climate and fair treatment according to 
international norms for all investors.  She specifically 
called for quick and just resolution of an evolving 
investment dispute (further details follow septel). 
 
Angola on the Regional Stage: Looking for Stability but 
Moving Cautiously 
--------------------------------------------- ---------- 
¶4. (C) DRC: Turning to regional issues, A/S Frazer solicited 
the GRA,s position on Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic 
of the Congo (DRC).  In response to A/S Frazer,s asking if 
the GRA planned to support the Congolese efforts to combat 
separatist rebels in Eastern Congo, Miranda said the GRA 
plans to continue its training program for the Congolese 
military, but would not provide its own troops to participate 
in any operation to directly disarm the rebels.  He stated 
that the GRA's overall policy is noninterference in the 
internal issues of other countries and is also dictated and 
limited by the challenges the Angolan government faces at 
home, especially with elections on the horizon, and the major 
restructuring of the Angola Armed Forces. 
 
¶5. (C) Zimbabwe: Miranda characterized the situation in 
Zimbabwe as disastrous, with every policy options "very 
uncomfortable for the Angolan government."  He reiterated 
SADC's position that the situation is not yet the grave 
emergency that the international community posits.  He stated 
that internal dialogue between the ruling ZANU-PF party and 
the opposition MDC is the best way forward in the short run 
with new leadership in ZANU-PF as the only possible mid-term 
 
LUANDA 00000624  002 OF 003 
 
 
way out.  He confirmed GRA support of the mediation process 
led by South African President Mbeki.  These comments were, 
however, tempered by his "personal opinion" that an aging and 
increasingly out-of-touch Mugabe has lost the support of the 
new generation of ZANU-PF leaders, who are, in turn, feeding 
their ideas for change to the opposition MDC.  He expressed 
concern that Zimbabwe,s high inflation might instigate a 
refugee flow and threaten public order in bordering 
countries, elaborating that the last thing the Southern 
Africa region wants is a bloody internal collapse in 
Zimbabwe.  Nonetheless, he believed the "African Moral Code" 
of respect for elder leaders such as Mugabe requires a 
cautious approach. 
 
¶6. (C) A/S Frazer advocated the need for more forceful action 
by SADC.  In response, Miranda reiterated that all options 
were unpleasant, acknowledged that the mediation process has 
yet to bear fruit, and stated that SADC's position on 
Zimbabwe will be reviewed at the next SADC Ministers meeting. 
 He said he has relayed a message from President dos Santos 
to President Mbeki and Zambian President Pohama, asking them 
to speak more forcefully with Mugabe.  Miranda stated that 
President Pohama, as a fellow &elder8 statesman can speak 
more freely with Mugabe.  Pohama has said that Mugabe wants 
to hand over power, but only when climate is right for a 
transfer of power; Mugabe so far has shown no sign of naming 
a successor.  Miranda stated his opinion that the weakened 
MDC is not a viable option and that the ZANU-PF needs to 
transform itself, to find a younger, more vital voice.  He 
said Angolan sources within ZANU-PF had reported strong 
dissatisfaction among the rank-and-file, especially the 
youth, with the Central Committee,s acquiesce in Mugabe,s 
candidature for the Presidency.    He called sanctions a 
symbol of the mobilization of the international moral forces 
aligned against Zimbabwe in the eyes of the ZANU-PF, and thus 
serving to strengthen Mugabe within his party.  A/S Frazer 
defended the sanctions as targeted and not a contributing 
factor to disinvestment in Zimbabwe. 
 
No Troops for Sudan and Somalia 
------------------------------- 
¶7. (C) Noting Angola's large, strong military, A/S Frazer 
pressed for troop commitments to peacekeeping forces in Sudan 
and Somalia.  Miranda admitted that the situation in both of 
these countries require international attention, but stated 
that the GRA does not see any circumstance under which it 
would send troops far from its borders prior to its upcoming 
elections.  (Note: Legislative elections are expected in 2008 
and Presidential elections in 2009. End note.)  He noted that 
Angola needs to downsize and professionalize its military 
after its own long civil war, and could not bear the costs of 
deploying troops far from Angola.  He also stated that 
Angolans were not "psychologically prepared" to see troops 
return from dangerous missions in flag-draped coffins.  He 
did not rule out the possibility of providing technical 
assistance to a peacekeeping force.  Miranda reacted 
favorably to A/S Frazer's idea of training the thousands of 
troops currently slated for demobilization for international 
peacekeeping missions.  He assured the A/S that he would pass 
this &new8 idea along to the Ministry of Defense. 
 
Military Cooperation: Positive Words, No Immediate Action 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
¶8. (C) A/S Jendayi Frazer discussed bilateral military 
cooperation with Vice Minister of Defense General Agostinho 
Nelumba &Sanjar8 and Admiral Andre Mendes de Carvalho 
"Miau."  General Sanjar told the A/S that Angola valued and 
wanted to strengthen its bilateral military relationship with 
the United States.  However, Sanjar repeated Miranda,s point 
that the Angolan military is restructuring and considering 
its overall approach to peacekeeping; Angola has therefore 
not yet taken its final decision on the ACOTA program.  He 
said the new military Chief of Staff would make the decision 
on ACOTA.  (Note: The Embassy has previously received general 
assurances that the GRA was interested in participating in 
ACOTA. End Note.)  Admiral Miau stressed that Angola had an 
agreement to receive peacekeeping training from Portugal, 
and, as in previous discussions, reiterated that any 
potential U.S. training should complement rather than 
duplicate the Portuguese training. 
 
¶9. (C) In response to A/S Frazer,s questions, Sanjar told 
the A/S that the GRA is considering both the proposed SOFA 
agreement and the matrix of military-to-military framework 
proposed by EUCOM.  Regarding the Gulf of Guinea Commission, 
Sanjar described to the A/S Angola,s sponsorship of the 
Commission,s Presidency (reftel) noting the Commission is 
currently working on logistic issues involved in setting up 
its headquarters in Luanda.  A/S Frazer also described US 
 
LUANDA 00000624  003 OF 003 
 
 
efforts in establishing AFRICOM and solicited GRA views. 
Sanjar noted that the formation of AFRICOM was a US internal 
issue, but that the Angolans appreciated the USG,s openness 
to African opinions. 
 
High Press Visibility 
--------------------- 
¶10. (U) A/S Frazer,s visit dominated all media from the day 
before her arrival to the day after her departure.  The 
extensive and positive press coverage in print, and on 
television and the radio, amplified the USG,s important 
messages on the bilateral relationship, the importance of 
fair and free elections to be held as planned in 2008 and 
2009 and the necessity of continued GRA cooperation with the 
IMF and the World Bank on economic transparency issues. 
Media sources accurately reflected these messages, as well as 
emphasized the positive relationship between Angola and the 
United States and increasing commercial ties. 
 
Comment: Turning Positive Conversation Into Action 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
¶11. (C) The GRA warmly welcomed A/S Frazer and the prospect 
of increased US-Angola cooperation, particularly in deepening 
our commercial ties.  While our interlocutors were uniformly 
positive in response to US initiatives, there was no clear 
timetable for follow-up actions.  However, the goodwill 
generated by the visit will serve to enhance the US-Angola 
bilateral relationship and may be the right incentive to 
nudge forward some of the issues, such as a TIFA and a SOFA, 
from the stage of positive rhetoric to action. 
 
¶12. (U) A/S Frazer has approved this cable. 
EFIRD 
EFIRD