Cablegate: Angola: President Announces Elections For

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PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHLU #1275 3611547
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 271547Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY LUANDA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4509
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC

UNCLAS LUANDA 001275

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NSC PASS TO PITTMAN/LEO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM AO
SUBJECT: ANGOLA: PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES ELECTIONS FOR
SEPTEMBER 5-6, 2008

REF: A. LUANDA 1274

B. LUANDA 1269
C. LUANDA 1254

1. (U) During his year-end speech to the nation on December
27th, 2007, President dos Santos announced legislative
elections for September 5 and 6th, 2008. He stressed the
elections should be conducted peacefully, with tolerance and
respect for the opinions of others. Dos Santos said the
legislative elections, which he will formally call "at an
opportune time," will strengthen Angola's democracy and allow
it to "function normally." By law the President must call
elections no later than 90 days in advance of election day.

2. (U) COMMENT: The flurry of election related activity over
the past two weeks (reftels) has set the stage for this
announcement. The President's announcement of the election
date now gives the CNE the direction and mandate needed to
realize Angola's first electoral exercise in over 15 years.
END COMMENT
MOZENA

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