ANGOLA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP64B00346R000500080025-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 12, 2005
• Sequence Number: 25
• Publication Date: May 15, 1961
• Content Type: BRIEF

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1 BRIEFING 15 May 1961
1. Rebellion in northern Angola, now two months old, shows no signs
of subsiding.
A. Terrorists able to operate relatively freely through some
40,000 square miles of rainforest in northwest.
1. Scattered attacks and arrests reported in south--but
openness of terrain, distance from Congo, hostile tribal
groups, more efficient Portuguese administration, and
relative absence economic discontent--have so far pre-
vented southward spread of all-out rebellion.
B. Portuguese military in Angola--about 10,000 men, including
2,000 whites--has been raised to 15-16,000, about 6,000
white. With coming of dry season Portuguese expect to
break back of terrorism within a few months.
25X1
C. Terrorism appears to have been instigated by nationalist
organization, Union of Angolan People, (UPA) with head-
quarters in Leopoldville and led by Holden Roberto.
1. Organization claims to be non-Communist and allegedly
has turned down bloc offer of aid, but is under growing
pressure from rival movement, Popular Movement for
Angolan Liberation,with headquarters at Conakry,, which
is believed receptive to Communists. (MPLA reported planning
23-1
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2. UPA probably has only a few hundred firearms; most terror-
ists using knives and arson as weapons.
3. 25X1
both Accra and Conakry
are likely to take growing interest in struggle.
a. On 12 May, Portuguese announced capture of 70
Ghanaians who it claimed had been with terrorists.
II. In addition to obvious security and psychological problem,
Angolan economy badly damaged by terrorism and bulk of vital
coffee crop probably lost this year.
A. Furthermore, unemployment problem--especially among dis-
placed whites--becoming acute in several cities and may
stimulate settler opposition to Lisbon rule.
B. In view of loss important Angolan revenues and heavy
military expenses, Lisbon may face economic collapse within
two years unless order can be restored.
III. Salazar's cabinet reshuffle of late April and early May, in
which,all new appointees represented extreme right, indicates
intent to stand firm and pacify Angola before considering
reform.
A. Within short period of time, Portugal likely face dissidence
in Portuguese Guinea--abetted by Sekou Toure regime in
Guinea--and perhaps also in Mozambique.
S E C R E T
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