INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Angola: 2007-08 International Narcotics Control Strategy

Published: Wed 12 Dec 2007 04:08 PM
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DE RUEHLU #1238 3461608
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R 121608Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY LUANDA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 4485
UNCLAS LUANDA 001238
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FOR INL AND AF/S
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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR AO
SUBJECT: ANGOLA: 2007-08 INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL STRATEGY
REPORT
REF: STATE 136787
1. Below please find Angola's contribution to the drugs and
chemical controls portion of the 2007-2008 International Narcotics
Control Strategy Report.
ANGOLA
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I. Summary
2. Although some cannabis is cultivated and consumed locally,
Angola neither produces nor consumes significant quantities of
drugs. Angola continues to be a transit point for drug trafficking,
particularly cocaine brought in from Brazil or South Africa and
destined for Europe. Angola is a member of the Southern African
Development Community (SADC) Counternarcotics Protocol of 2003.
Angola is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention.
II. Status of Country
3. Angola is not a major center of drug production, money
laundering, or production of precursor chemicals, and is not likely
to become one. It is however, a transit point for drug trafficking.
Narcotics, mostly cocaine, enter from Brazil and are then
transported to Europe and South Africa. Police continued to seize
cocaine and cannabis in 2007. Increased intelligence sharing and the
scanning of incoming containers improved the effectiveness of drug
interdiction.
III. Country Actions Against Drugs
4. The National and Border Police's drug seizure efforts have
continued, but reliable seizure statistics are not available. Angola
cooperates with South Africa, Brazil, and Portugal in fighting the
flow of cocaine through Angola to various destinations. South Africa
has provided intelligence, training, and equipment to the Angolan
police. Angola also cooperates on a regional basis via the SADC.
5. Corruption. Although cases of public corruption connected to
narcotics trafficking are rare, in June 2005, three officials of the
National Department for Criminal Investigation were charged with
trafficking in cocaine. As a matter of government policy, Angola
does not encourage illicit production or distribution of drugs or
associated money laundering.
6. Agreement and Treaties. Angola is a party to the 1988 UN Drug
Convention, the 1971 UN Convention Against Psychotropic Substances,
and the 1961 UN Single Convention as amended by the 1972 Protocol.
Angola ratified the UN Corruption Convention on August 29, 2006 and
has signed, but has not yet ratified the UN Convention against
Transnational Organized Crime.
7. Domestic Programs/Demand Reduction. In 2004, Angola enacted
legislation mandating treatment for those convicted of narcotics
abuse. Drug rehabilitation centers have been established in Luanda,
Lubango, and Benguela, but limited government resources limit what
the government can offer in modern drug treatment.
IV. U.S. Policy Initiatives and Programs
8. Bilateral Cooperation. In 2007, 35 Angolan police officers
participated in State Department-sponsored regional training
courses, which included segments on counternarcotics.
9. The Road Ahead. The U.S. will continue to assist Angola through
training of law enforcement officials at ILEA Gaborone and in ILEA
Roswell.
MOZENA
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