REPORT: WORKING GROUP ON ANGOLA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-102-6-6-5
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: October 22, 2012
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: November 3, 1975
• Content Type: REPORT

No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/02/13: LOC-HAK-102-6-6-
REPORT: WORKING GROUP ON ANGOLA
ANGOLA WORKING
GROUP PAPER No.
At a meeting of.the Working Group on 30 October 1975,,
.the following points were covered:
1. Military Briefing
a.. President Mobutu is proceeding with plans to
support with small units of his Forces Armees du
Zaire (PAZ) an effort by the Front for the Liberation
of the Enclave of Cabinda(FLEC) to expel the Popular
Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) from
Cabinda and to set up an independent Cabinda.
.(Subsequent to the meeting, a report was received to
the effect that the FLEC attack would be postponed
until S November to permit better preparation of the
FLEC troops.)
b. The National Front for the Liberation.of
Angola (FNLA).troops are opposite Quinfangondo on
the rdad from Caxito to Luanda and are also trying a
flanking movement toward Catete.
c. A small unit of FAZ was defeated by the MPLA
and forced back to Negage.
d. 'Mobutu has sent an additional FAZ unit (300 men)
to Ambriz as a reserve force.
e. The FNLA/UNITA forces have captured Sa da Bandiera
and Mocamedes.
f. On 1 November 1975 control of provincial capitals
was divided among:
DOS, OSD, NSS Reviews
Completed.
MP LA (7)
(a) Cabinda
(b) Luanda
(c) Salazar
(d) Malanje
(e) Henrique de Carvalho
(f) Nova Redondo
(g) Benguela . F
STAT
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/02/13: LOC-HAK-102-6-6-5
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/02/13: LOC-HAK-102-6-6-5
(2) UNITA (5)
(a) Nova Lisboa
(b) Silva Porto
(c) Luso
(d) Sa da Bandiera
(e) Mocamedes (with FN
LA)
(3) FNLA (3) ,
(a) San Salvador 'do Congo
(b) Carmona
(c) Villa Serpa Pinto
(d) Mocamedes (with UNITA)
Political' Issues and Develo mpents
a. The State representatives described an action
memorandum to the Secretary of State recommending that
the Consulate-General in Luanda'be closed prior to
11 November 1975. The recomhendation rests mainly on
the Consul-General's reporting that the safety of
b. In subsequent discussion, there emerged some
sentiment in favor of trying to maintain the Consulate
General in Luanda---at.least up to the very last moment
before independence. In the brief interval remaining,
.it was suggested that State:
(1) Solicit the Consul.-General's views as
to how best maintain at least a.skeleton presence
in Luanda.
(2) Inquire as to the intentions of-the
Italians, Belgians, Germans, French and
Brazilians as to their Consulates in Luanda
and exert some influence as feasible.
r
(3) Examine ways of persuading the MPLA
that it is not in their interest to harass
American officials. Among points to be exploited
25X1
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/02/13: LOC-HAK-102-6-6-5
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/02/13 : LOC-HAK-102-6-6-5
were the desire of MPLA for respectability,
the need of the MPLA to demonstrate it can
keep internal order, and the pending purchase
by Angola of Boeing aircraft--which have been
nearly completely paid for.
c. Following the receipt of the above information
and in the light of the most recent information on the
situation in Luanda, the Working Group is to prepare
a recommendation on the issue insofar as it affects
this current program.
e. The State-representatives reported a Soviet
demarche -to Mobutu warning him against involvement in
Angola.-.This demarche was apparently to the effect
that the Soviets had information that the Government
of Zaire is about to send troops into Angola "just as
the problem of Angolains is being solved by the Angolans
themselves". The Soviet note spoke of the "implications
of such an action and asked Mobutu not to "tarnish his
image" as a progressive leader in the struggle against
colonialism,
f. Mobutu's reaction has been to reject the Soviet
.demarche angrily as an unacceptable threat and to
criticize the Soviets publicly. The net advantage in
the exchange thus far appears to be with Mobutu.
g. The PRC is apparently disengaging from its
support of the FNLA. It has removed the Chinese'
instructors with the FNLA--to Mobutu's displeasure.-
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/02/13: LOC-HAK-102-6-6-5
5X?5X1
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/02/13: LOC-HAK-102-6-6-5
h. There are signs of strain in the FNLA-UNITA
alliance. The two groups do not get along well, and
there is strong sentiment within each group against
cooperation with the other.
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
in. As to an invasion of Cabinda, the requirement
to inform the 40 Committee in advance of any commitment
of FAZ forces to Cabinda has been met by a memorandum
of 25 October 1975 by the Director of Central Intelligence
to the Chairman of the 40 Committee. The Working Group
decided against recommending that steps be taken to
dissuade Mobutu from this course.
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/02/13: LOC-HAK-102-6-6-5
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/02/13: LOC-HAK-102-6-6-5
7, 1 r:
-
be further explored.
25X1
Military
On EMS matters it was reported that DOD is close to
approval to expend FY 1976 funds under the continuing
resolution authority. State. and DOD will coordinate a
response to the Kinshasa Embassy comments on the message
to them about a proposed FMS package. It may be possible
to-authorize some offshore procurement of armored personnel
carriers in order to cut long lead tines. It night also
b?e possible to get a relatively few APC's from current
production in the U.S.A. The matter of helicopters will
operational Issues 'and Developments
a. A draft paper, for the 40 Committee was discussed.
This paper requests funds for ammunition to replenish
the 180-day reserve sent in our arms shipment which
arrived in Zaire in September. The draft requested
$10,000,000 for costs of ammunition, transportation and
airlift from Zaire to Angola, and'of some additional
weapons: 106mm recoilless rifles, 4.2 inch and S1mm
mortars and armored cars--all of which have been
extensively used in the.fighting thus far.
b. The Working Group felt that this request was too
low and that an. option should be offered which would
provide for greater ammunition stocks and for any likely
escalation in arms deliveries by the Soviets.
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/02/13: LOC-HAK-102-6-6-5
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/02/13: LOC-HAK-102-6-6-5
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/02/13: LOC-HAK-102-6-6-5