VZCZCXRO3898
PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHLU #0595/01 2181503
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 051503Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY LUANDA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4939
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LUANDA 000595 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM AO
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT'S SPEECH KICKS OFF OFFICIAL CAMPAIGN 
PERIOD 
 
¶1. (U) In a nationally-broadcast speech to mark the launch of 
the official 30-day campaign period for the September 5 
legislative elections, Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos 
Santos lauded how the "achievement of peace" has allowed the 
country to consolidate its political institutions, and 
pledged to hold future legislative elections every four 
years.  Striking notes that were noticeably non-partisan, he 
appealed to all citizens and political parties running in the 
election to reject violence and inflammatory dialogue. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Political parties also readied themselves to launch 
their campaigns.  The 30-day campaign period will include 10 
minutes of daily airtime on state-controlled national radio 
and 5 minutes on national television; most small parties, 
short on funds for materials and rallies, are counting on 
this time to spread their message.  Observers predict that 
state-controlled media outlets will continue to devote the 
majority of their news broadcast time to stories on the 
progress of national reconstruction and MPLA campaign 
activities. 
 
¶3. (SBU) For its part, the MPLA distributed copies of its 
three-year governance plan and electoral manifesto to the 
diplomatic community on August 4th.  Paulo Jorge, the MPLA's 
International Relations Secretary, told assembled diplomats 
that the MPLA is so confident of its victory that it wants 
other governments to know in advance what the GRA's 
priorities will be for the next four years.  While the 
party's highest priority is passing a new constitution, he 
also noted the MPLA's pledge to reduce unemployment, control 
inflation, continue national reconstruction, and promote 
agriculture. 
 
¶4. (SBU) COMMENT: The President's speech was well-received 
locally, and sets high expectations for a peaceful campaign 
period.  Though Dos Santos is also the MPLA party president, 
the party's expectation for a wide margin of victory allows 
him to "be presidential" and remain above the fray.  Despite 
the high rhetoric, the ruling party will continue to use its 
near total media control to blanket voters with information 
on MPLA-driven progress and plans.  END COMMENT 
 
¶5. (U) Informal translation of the President's speech follows: 
 
Angolan people, dear fellow citizens, 
 
Tomorrow marks the start of the electoral campaign for the 
political parties and coalitions that will compete for the 
220 seats in the National Assembly in the September 5, 2008 
legislative elections. 
 
These parties and coalitions will have airtime on national 
radio and television to present their messages, plans for 
governance and party platforms.  Voters will have sufficient 
time to analyze and think about the programs and projects 
presented and afterwards, in a free and informed manner, 
choose that which best corresponds to their personal ideas, 
desires and political convictions. 
 
On September 5th, starting at 7 in the morning, we will have 
12,400 voting stations open throughout the country.  Each 
voting station will have up to four voting tables, so that 
all Angolans properly registered to vote will be able to 
exercise their civic right to vote in an organized, tranquil 
and peaceful way. 
 
This moment represents an unprecedented step in the 
consolidation of political and institutional life in our 
country and consolidation of democratic rule of law.  From 
here on out, legislative elections will be organized 
regularly, held once every four years, as established by 
Constitutional Law. 
 
We fought hard to get to this point and everyone, without 
exception, made sacrifices in favor of stability for our 
country and its territorial integrity.  Since the first 
elections in 1992 we have always moved towards political 
normalcy - sometimes slower, sometimes faster - overcoming 
all the difficulties that we met along the way.  We ensured 
the regular functioning of state institutions, the 
performance of the organs of government, the satisfaction of 
collective needs, and the protection, respect and dignity of 
citizens. 
 
The achievement of peace, in 2002, opened new doors for 
Angola.  It permitted the reunion of the grand Angolan family 
and the realization of the process of national pacification 
and reconciliation, of which we are all proud today. 
 
These elections are the culmination of this long process, and 
permit the fulfillment of the rights of Angolans citizens of 
 
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voting age. 
 
Dear fellow citizens, in this campaign period we should 
continue to maintain tranquility and an attitude of respect 
and tolerance in relation to opinions that might be different 
from ours.  The maintenance of a serene and pacific 
environment supports the success of the elections and 
guarantees that each voter makes his choice in a responsible 
manner. Free, just and competitive elections demand the 
rejection of all forms of intimidation, insult, violation of 
rights, and political destabilization. 
 
I appeal to all citizens, political parties, and coalitions 
to maintain a responsible posture, respecting law and public 
order, so that the electoral campaign and election day can 
unfold with high standards of civility.  Angola can give an 
example to our continent, and the world in general, about the 
way to conduct democratic, free, and transparent elections. 
 
We shouldn't yield to provocations.  We are going to thwart 
the predictions of those who, without any foundation, assert 
that we might experience a climate of insecurity and 
instability.  Law enforcement officials are taking preventive 
measures to guarantee tranquility and security throughout the 
electoral process.  There are no reasons for us to feed any 
pessimistic or defeatist thought.  We are a pacific people 
and lovers of liberty. 
 
The people are aware that big achievements in political, 
economic and social realms are only achieved in peace, 
stability and social harmony.  The electoral campaign should 
not take place under a banner of violence.  In this 
competition there are no enemies, there are only political 
adversaries, with different platforms and proposals, which 
will work to capture the largest number of votes in order to 
win power and exercise it with legitimacy.  Each party should 
only utilize the weapon of its ideas in order to convince the 
electorate, and voters will have as their weapon their vote 
to choose whom they like, as established by laws in effect in 
the country.  Thus may the electoral campaign be conducted 
under a banner of respect, honesty and liberty, so that it 
contributes to the true enlightenment of citizens, and to 
national unity and social cohesion. 
 
If the political parties respect the legal norms in effect in 
the conduct of their campaigns, all of us will be winners in 
constructing the democratic country of our dreams.  I am 
certain that this is what will happen and that Angola will 
prevail. 
 
Long live Angola! Thank you. 
 
End informal translation 
MOZENA