29. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski) to Secretary of State Vance1
SUBJECT
- Moose Mission to Luanda
Based on the discussion of the Mini-PRC2 on the Moose mission to Angola, the President has approved the following instructions:
1. Our principal strategic concern is that Angola not serve as a base for further Soviet and Cuban military intervention in Africa. Removal of the present Cuban combat forces will be necessary for normalization to take place. We are prepared, if the Angolans reciprocate, to take steps toward improved relations should they be prepared to take steps to meet our principal security concerns.
[Page 58]2. The objective of the Moose mission should be to ascertain Angolan willingness to move in this direction. To this end, the Delegation can offer to work with the Angolans to remove external threats to their security and, in particular, make clear to them our intention to seek a peaceful solution to the problems in Namibia and Zimbabwe. The Delegation should seek Angolan support for these efforts. We are also prepared to support an improved relationship between Angola and Zaire.
3. On the issue of UNITA, the Moose mission should encourage and explore the possibility of internal reconciliation between the Neto Government and UNITA. The Delegation should emphasize that the United States is giving no support to UNITA. Should the Angolans raise the issue of discouraging others from supporting UNITA, the Delegation should seek to explore the possibility that the UNITA insurgency might be ended by internal reconciliation and withdrawal of Cuban combat forces.