444. Telegram From the Embassy in the Congo to the Department of State1
6814. Subj: Angola.
- 1.
- Dilolo area: GRAE President Holden Roberto confided to me today that he had promised Mobutu to control GRAE forces Dilolo area closely and prevent attacks on Benguela Railroad (BRR). Said first two attacks on railroad were made by GRAE forces, but were unauthorized. [Page 772] However latest cutting of BRR done by Portuguese themselves at Mobutu’s request. He has sent effective leader (he chose Jorge Peterson) to take command of ATD base at Njolo (phonetic), twelve kilometers from Dilolo. Also has sent his youth leader, Mirando, with instructions to militants that no attacks be made against railroad on grounds that railroad is British property and is vital to Congolese and Zambian brothers. Holden said he had information indirectly from Portuguese intelligence sources that Portuguese were claiming ALN about to make attack on Odixeira de Sousa from Dilolo area (Luanda 550).2 Portuguese saying that if this happens Portuguese army will make retaliatory attack across border. As result, Roberto has sent word to ALN base in Njolo that ALN forces should be most prudent in days to come. Roberto said he convinced he can control GRAE forces in Dilolo area. These forces becoming stronger and better disciplined all the time. (Note: We have little info on this subject.) He has sent Tunisian-trained political leaders into area to strengthen GRAE’s village organizations. However, he considering moving base and majority of refugees away from Dilolo area at GDRC request, even though this would be big job. Roberto fears that UNITA and particularly MPLA forces likely “continue” make trouble in this area and blame it on GRAE. Said he had given orders that if any MPLA partisans seen in area, they should be killed.
- 2.
- Relations with Savimbi: Roberto said, in answer my question, that in principle he ready agree reincorporate Savimbi and UNITA leaders into GRAE, but only as individuals and not as group. Claims Savimbi’s UNITA party is tribally oriented group, although he denied that his own party was tribally oriented, which is utter nonsense. As tribally oriented group, UNITA could not be brought back into GRAE. Likewise, said Pinnock and youth leaders strongly opposed to Savimbi and were fighting his return. Roberto also said he beginning have questions about Savimbi’s orientation. Congolese roving Amb Marcel Lengema had told him (Roberto) that he had seen Savimbi during recent Progressive Summit Conference in Cairo and had impression Savimbi receiving increasing support from UAR, Algeria and perhaps Soviets.
- 3.
- MPLA activities in Western Angola and Cabinda: Asked about reports of MPLA infiltration into Angola. Roberto said these infiltrations stopped by cooperation between GDRC and ALN forces. Number MPLA infiltrators arrested and Bas Congo area now clear. Five women, including “Communist agent” [garble], now in GRAE prison in Kinzuku. However, Kinshasa full of minor MPLA leaders, who being “supported” by such persons as Mabika Kalanda (head of ENDA) and even to some extent Minister of Interior Tshisekedi. (John Marcum Lincoln University [Page 773] and one time friend Roberto tells me Roberto admitted that in last two months GRAE has killed over 200 MPLA militants caught in Congo.)
- 4.
- Congo-Brazza: Interestingly enough, Roberto claims that Brazza govt beginning withdraw support from MPLA and beginning help FLEC, Cabinda Liberation Movement. GOCB has found from experience that MPLA has had no success in influencing Cabinda population, whereas FLEC is made up of local people. In fact, Roberto claims several members Brazza govt are members FLEC and some are either from or closely related to people from Cabinda. Roberto said aim of Brazza govt is to annex Cabinda as soon as possible and Roberto said this would lead to “war” between Angola and Congo-Brazza. Just yesterday, ALN forces sent with cooperation GDRC and ANC from base at Kinkuzu, south of river, to area west of Tshela in the Mayombe next to Cabinda border to disarm FLEC-controlled refugees. Arms had been coming to these people from GOCB. Operation easily accomplished and in fact not too many arms found.
- 5.
-
GRAE relations with GDRC: Roberto said his relations with GDRC had never been better. Mobutu and Bomboko operating with him 100 percent, allowing small shipments of arms to pass as needed. In return, he (Roberto) has promised control Dilolo situation. Occasionally, MinInterior Tshisekedi, whom he characterized as pro-MPLA opportunist, gives trouble but we able to regulate this with Mobutu quickly. Relations with Bas Congo provincial authorities which previously very bad have improved. Governor Pauluku of Congo Central cooperating fully with ALN, unlike his anti-GRAE predecessor Moanda. However, Roberto uneasy about continued influence of Kamanda on Mobutu, which he considers to be more pervasive and important than we do for moment, will lead to less support for GRAE in time.
He also fears arrival UAR, Algerian and Soviet missions and expects large part of their work to be devoted to work of MPLA in opposition to GRAE.
- 6.
- Dept repeat as desired.