VZCZCXRO9483
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHTO #0902 2141555
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 021555Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY MAPUTO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7683
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP  0230

UNCLAS MAPUTO 000902 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
AF/S FOR HTREGER, AF/RSA FOR MBITTRICK 
MCC FOR SGAULL 
USAID FOR AFR/SA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: POL PGOV PREL KDEM MZ
SUBJECT: CHARGE'S COURTESY CALL WITH FM ABREU 
 
REFS: A) MAPUTO 860; B) SECSTATE 101235 
 
¶1. (U) SUMMARY. In a July 31 courtesy call on Minister of Foreign 
Affairs Alcinda Abreu, the Charge noted the positive and expanding 
nature of our bilateral relationship, underscored by the recent 
visit of First Lady Laura Bush and the MCC compact signing.  He also 
advised Abreu of several upcoming high-level USG visitors to 
Mozambique, including HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt August 21-23 and AF 
DAS Carol Thompson in early-September.  The Foreign Minister 
welcomed news of these visits, showing special interest in the 
opportunity to develop a broader political bilateral agenda in 
anticipation of DAS Thompson's visit.  END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. (U) The Charge opened the meeting by underscoring the positive 
and expanding relationship between the U.S. and Mozambique, most 
recently evidenced by the July 13 signing of the Millennium 
Challenge Account compact (MCC), which received widespread positive 
press in Mozambique (ref A).  Although she lamented the lengthy 
process leading up to the signing, Abreu was enthusiastic about its 
intended impact in the northern provinces and was anxious to see 
successful implementation.  Charge stated that the MCC would 
complement the already extensive activities of other USG agencies 
and programs, including the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS 
relief (PEPFAR) and the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI). 
 
¶3. (U) The Charge recalled the successful June visit of First Lady 
Laura Bush and raised the upcoming visits of Health and Human 
Services (HHS) Secretary Leavitt and State's AF Deputy Assistant 
Secretary Carol Thompson.  He noted that Secretary Leavitt would 
 
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visit PEPFAR, PMI, and MCC project sites in Maputo and in central 
Mozambique.  Abreu was pleased to learn that Secretary Leavitt would 
travel up-country, noting it was important for USG visitors to get 
out of the capital city.  Abreu showed special interest in DAS 
Thompson's visit as an opportunity to develop a broader political 
bilateral agenda, particularly on issues such as strengthening the 
capacity of SADC and moving forward on regional economic 
integration. 
 
¶4. (U) Following up on President Guebuza's request to Secretary Rice 
for assistance to help finance January provincial elections (ref B), 
Charge explained that the USG has not traditionally provided direct 
financial assistance for elections in Mozambique.  He noted that 
USAID may have funds to provide some limited technical assistance, 
which would be discussed at a UNDP-hosted meeting on August 3 with 
the donor community. 
 
¶5. (SBU) COMMENT:  While Foreign Minister Abreu is not considered to 
be particularly influential within FRELIMO circles, she does appear 
willing to engage, especially on African regional issues.  To follow 
up on Abreu's interest, we will work with MFA officials to identify 
issues of mutual interest for further discussion.   END COMMENT.