SNIE ON ANGOLA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79R01142A001100050011-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 14, 2005
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: September 12, 1975
• Content Type: MF

25X1
Approved For; 1gVMf1CIA-Fi4ft@A.L4 13j9?001.1-0
September 12, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director of Current Intelligence
SUBJECT
. SNIE on Angola
1. has suggested that CIA draft a National
Intelligence E::.timate on Angola. We believe 25X1
concern with the situation in Angola is well-founded u sug-
gest that the interests of the intelligence community would more
appropriately I )e served by a SNIE, which we would hope to present
to USIB during the first week in October.
2. With less than two months to go before independence,
the range of options available to the Portuguese and the Angolan
liberation groups is much narrower than it was several months
ago. Consequently, the possible political alternatives for the
territory are 71iore limited in number and they can be spelled out
with greater precision than was the case at the time NSSM-224
was prepared last summer.
3. Perhaps the major reason for producing a SNIE, however.,
is the very serious unsettling effect President Mobutu's recent
introduction of Zairian troops into Angola is likely to have on
the territory. Moreover, Mobutu's involvement carries serious
domestic political implications for him and poses serious policy
problems for the US because of our long and close association
with his government.
4. The Angolan situation is clearly a vital part of NTEE
70-1-75, curre)itly underway, on southern Africa. Priority treat-
ment of Angola in a SNIE will allow us to fool, more closely at
the other important issues of the region in the NIE. For instance,
with the SNIE giving a clear picture of the relationship of
Angola to the rest of southern Africa, we can then shift the
emphasis of the NIE to Rhodesia from the present rather diffuse
focus on Angola/Rhodesia.
5. Because of the work load a SNIT places on Africa Branch,
we would. propo:;e postponing the NIE, shooting for a deadline of
around December. 1, rather than the September-(.1c tober time frame r,/
Acting Chief, Middle East Africa Division
Approved For Release 2005/02/14: CIA-RDP79R0l142A001' 100050011-0