US embassy cable - 04MAPUTO565

S E C R E T MAPUTO 000565 
 
SIPDIS 
NOFORN 
DEPARTMENT FOR D, S/CT, EUR, INR AND AF 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/26/2024 
TAGS: PTER, ASEC, PREL, MZ, RU 
SUBJECT: COUNTERTERRORISM COOPERATION WITH RUSSIA IN 
MOZAMBIQUE 
 
REF: STATE 71826 
 
Classified By: DCM Dennis Hankins for Reasons 1.4 (b and d) 
 
1. (S-N/F) Summary: Reftel provided Post opportunity to 
finalize previous discussions with the Russian Embassy to 
develop a cooperative relationship between ORCA and Russian 
counterparts in the counterterrorism area. We envision 
participation by multiple Mission elements including ORCA, 
Econ/Pol, DAO and CONS in this counterterrorism initiative 
with the Russians. End Summary 
 
2. (S-N/F) Several months ago, Russian Ambassador Vladmir 
Zemskiy and the Ambassador discussed shared concerns over the 
terrorist threat in Mozambique and raised the possibility of 
working jointly in the area. From our perspective, working 
with the Russians in Mozambique would help overcome some of 
the lingering hesitance senior intelligence, security, and 
defense officials (many of whom received Russian/Soviet 
training) have in working closely with the United States on 
security matters. For the Russians, cooperation with the 
U.S. would help bolster their image since they no longer have 
the financial resources to match their strong historical ties 
to Mozambique. ORCA indicated its willingness to work with 
Russian counterparts but the Russian Ambassador indicated he 
would have to first seek guidance from Moscow. 
Unfortunately, Ambassador Zemskiy died of a heart attack in 
March before he was able to tell us if he had Moscow's 
blessing. 
 
3. (S-N/F) Upon receipt of REFTEL, DCM met April 6 with 
Charge d'Affaires Valentin Aleshin to determine if Russia 
would be interested in cooperation. Aleshin was not aware of 
the previous conversation between the Ambassadors (Comment: 
Ambassador Zemskiy had previously told DCM he thought little 
of his deputy. End Comment) but was immediately interested in 
pursuing counterterrorism cooperation. While the 
conversation focused on coordinated security assistance, DCM 
noted that we could also consider broader counterterrorism 
cooperation through the Defense Attache, Econ/Pol and 
Consular Sections. Aleshin indicated he would have to seek 
guidance from Moscow. 
 
4. (S-N/F) On April 22, Aleshin came to the Embassy to 
report he had received the go-ahead from Moscow to begin 
contacts between our respective "security experts" to develop 
a plan of counterterrorism cooperation. Aleshin suggested 
his instructions called for close direction by himself or 
other Russian Embassy diplomats. We suggested it best to let 
the experts work between themselves but to have the Chiefs of 
Mission meet quarterly to review our overall cooperation on 
counterterrorism. Our Regional Political Affairs officer 
(ORCA) has initiated contact with the Russian Embassy as the 
Ambassador's designee. 
LA LIME