VZCZCXRO2766
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHLU #1204/01 3380621
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 040621Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY LUANDA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4455
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LUANDA 001204 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/FO AND AF/S; NSC FOR PITTAMN/LEO 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL AO
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER REITERATES ANGOLA'S DESIRE FOR A 
POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE U.S. 
 
REF: LUANDA 1203 
 
¶1. (SBU)   SUMMARY.  During Amb. Mozena's December 3 
presentation of copies of his credentials, Foreign Minister 
Miranda stressed Angola's desire for continued positive 
relations with the U.S., defined commercial/economic ties as 
the key element of the bilateral relationship, and expressed 
gratitude for U.S. assistance, especially in the health 
sector.  During the warm and friendly meeting that lasted 
over an hour despite the Minister,s preparations for 
departing Angola later in the day, Miranda spoke of the need 
for stronger people to people contacts that celebrated the 
long-standing ties between both countries.  Miranda urged 
greater US commercial interest in non-extractive sectors.  At 
some length, he cautioned that proposed U.S. legislation 
targeting sanctions against leaders of named countries for 
corruption would have a most damaging impact on the 
relationship.  Miranda also provided an update on ongoing 
Angolan efforts under SADC auspices to promote peace in 
eastern DRC (reftel).  The Minister closed by confirming that 
he had approved two months ago our request for opening an 
American Presence Post in Cabinda.  End Summary. 
 
¶2.  (SBU)  On December 3, Ambassador Mozena, accompanied by 
the DCM, presented copies of his credentials to Foreign 
Minister Miranda; the formal presentation of credentials to 
President Dos Santos is not expected until February. 
Contrary to the Ambassador,s expectations, Miranda declared 
that Mozena would be able to undertake the full range of 
ambassadorial activities,  except meeting directly or 
participating in events with the President of the Republic, 
the President of the National Assembly, or the President of 
the Supreme Court.  Miranda made clear that the GRA welcomed 
the Ambassador and continued strong relations with the United 
States. 
 
¶3.  (SBU)  Miranda called for greater cooperation, especially 
in terms of promoting economic diversification and American 
investment beyond the petroleum sector.  He also expressed 
gratitude for U.S. assistance, especially in the area of 
health.  Miranda highlighted the need for greater 
person-to-person contacts.  He called for closer cultural 
ties, celebrating the links that have joined our two 
countries for centuries.  Miranda spoke of his visits to 
towns in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts where he saw evidence 
of Angolans who helped found independent Afro-American 
communities.  Mozena said he shared the Minister's views on 
increasing economic diversification in Angola and deepening 
person-to-person contacts.  Ambassador noted that his own 
agricultural background drove his personal interest to 
explore how best to bolster Angola's potentially rich 
agricultural sector.  Mozena added that as a former Peace 
Corps Volunteer, he appreciated the importance of 
person-to-person contacts, and that to that end he intended 
to meet Angolans in all eighteen provinces. 
 
¶4.  (SBU)  Miranda then expressed his government's deep 
concerns about proposed U.S. legislation that would name 
countries whose leaders purportedly had ill-gotten gains from 
extractive industries and would target sanctions against 
them.  Miranda stated that the GRA "was repulsed" by this 
legislation and that its passage would be a cause of "deep 
remorse."  Miranda then stated that he understood the 
proposed legislation was being revised and that countries 
might no longer be cited by name.  Mozena thanked him for 
sharing his concerns and reminded the Foreign Minister that 
the Congress was independent of the Executive Branch, which 
could not direct the content of legislative proposals.  Both 
agreed that the Government of Angola must do a better job in 
explaining to the international community its ongoing efforts 
to increase transparency and strengthen accountability. 
 
¶5.  (SBU)  In response to a query from Mozena, Miranda 
discussed at considerable length the GRA's plan under SADC 
auspices to promote peace in eastern DRC (reftel).  Miranda 
also spoke in positive terms of the impending visit to Luanda 
by AFRICOM Commander General Ward, and regretted that he 
(Miranda) would not be in Angola to meet the General.  The 
meeting closed with Mozena's requesting an update on the 
status of our request to open an American Presence Post in 
Cabinda.  Miranda responded that he had approved this at 
least two months ago and did not understand why his Ministry 
had failed to relay this to the Embassy.  He tasked Americas 
Director Balbina to ensure personally that this was taken 
care of. 
 
¶6.  (SBU)  Comment:  Miranda was warm and friendly throughout 
the hour-plus long meeting.  He went to great lengths 
 
LUANDA 00001204  002 OF 002 
 
 
(including a five minute trip back to his office to retrieve 
a file folder) to respond to the Ambassador,s request for an 
update on Angola,s efforts to promote peace in eastern Congo 
(reftel), and defined most narrowly the limitations on 
Mozena,s activities until the formal presentation of 
credentials to President Dos Santos.  Although firm in 
stating his concerns about the proposed legislation that 
would target some leaders of Angola and other named 
countries, Miranda did so without rancor.  The meeting was a 
positive launch to Mozena's first encounter with the GRA 
since arriving as Ambassador; we can only hope the 
constructive attitude endures.   End Comment 
MOZENA