US embassy cable - 04MAPUTO740

C O N F I D E N T I A L MAPUTO 000740 
 
SIPDIS 
DEPT FOR AF/S KDAVISON 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/04/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, MZ, DHLAKAMA 
SUBJECT: DHLAKAMA SPEAKS TO AMBASSADOR ON VISIT TO 
WASHINGTON AND US-MOZAMBICAN RELATIONS 
 
REF: MAPUTO 00678 
Classified By: Ambassador Helen La Lime for reasons 1.5 b and d 
 
1. (C) Ambassador and econ/polofficer (notetaker) met with 
RENAMO opposition leader and presidential candidate for 
Afonso Dhlakama at his request on June 4 to discuss his 
planned trip to the United States and a variety of bilateral 
and regional issues. Dhlakama was more upbeat and positive 
than usual. The Ambassador used the meeting to highlight 
US-Mozambican cooperation, noting Mozambique's participation 
in the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and 
eligibility under the Millennium Challenge Account, and 
recent high-level USG visits to Mozambique. The need for 
greater progress on judicial and labor reforms and 
anti-corruption efforts were also discussed. The Ambassador 
stressed the need for the political leadership to speak-out 
on HIV/AIDS. 
 
2. (C) Dhlakama spoke at length on a variety of political and 
economic issues. He expressed satisfaction on US engagement 
in Mozambique, noting that this has been a relatively new 
development, reflecting the government's move away from the 
"East" and to a multi-party system. He agreed on the need for 
greater progress on judicial reform and corruption (which, 
according to Dhlakama, goes from "top to bottom"). Speaking 
on the economy, Dhlakama stressed the importance of 
developing national production, particularly of small and 
medium sized businesses, and reducing the country's reliance 
on imports from South Africa. In this sense, regional 
integration was described as a net negative for Mozambique. 
Dhlakama was optimistic about the country's economic 
potential, noting its extensive resources in fishing, timber 
and minerals, though he was critical of the mega-investments 
(principally from South Africa), which he said only benefited 
the south of the country. 
 
3. (C) Turning to US-Mozambican relations and the US role in 
Africa, Dhlakama stated that the US must define its friends 
and strategy and defend its interests in Africa. According 
to Dhlakama, he had conveyed this message to US officials 
during his visit to the United States last year. The lack of 
support for US policy in Iraq by many leaders in Africa was 
noted, as was the reluctance of some key African leaders, 
such as Mbeki, to take clear positions on regional issues 
such as the situation in Zimbabwe. Dhlakama noted that he had 
been meeting with European officials regarding Mozambique's 
upcoming presidential elections and had encouraged the 
participation of international observers. 
 
4. (C) Regarding his trip to Washington, originally planned 
for June 23-30 (reftel), Dhlakama appeared familiar with the 
often lengthy visa waiver process and stated that he already 
had moved his trip dates. He now plans to arrive in the 
United States on July 20. Dhlakama stated his interest in 
meeting with officials from both the Department of State and 
Defense. 
LA LIME