In separated meetings with the Angolan acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Rebelo Chicote, the acting Minister of Defense, General Agostinho Nelumba “Sanjar” and the Acting Chief of Staff, Geraldo Sachipengo ”Nunda,” General Ward outlined his vision for Africa Command and listened to the thoughts and concerns of his hosts. He also offered continued U.S. military assistance to Angola. “Your country plays a central leadership role within both the African Union and the Southern African Development Community. Angola’s efforts are also significant in building regional stability and in peacekeeping operations throughout the entire African continent. Let me assure you, Angola is important to the United States and to AFRICOM,” said General Ward at a press conference wrapping up his visit to Angola. Related story: NEW COMMANDER DECLARES INITIAL STAND-UP OF U.S. AFRICA COMMAND Latest Headlines
| USG BRINGS IN EXPERTS TO ASSIST IN BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF ANGOLAN EXPERTS, ENTREPRENEURS, AND BUSINESS LEADERS
The US expert gave examples of best practices and interspersed his presentations with examples of past ethical infringements by several multinational companies, in the latter case, clearly pointing out not only the civil and criminal penalties but also the incalculable damage such breaches cause to business reputation and credibility. He also convincingly argued that beyond one’s obligation to meet legal requirements, adoption and adherence to the highest legal and ethical standards is a smart business decision that will help attract international business, speed Angola’s integration into the global economy, and ensure economic growth with all its attendant benefits. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR AFRICAN AFFAIRS, JENDAYI E. FRAZER, ENDS A SUCCESSFUL OFFICIAL VISIT TO ANGOLA
United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Jendayi E. Frazer, visited Angola from May 31 to June 3, 2007 as part of a two-country trip to Africa, which also included Nigeria. During her visit, Frazer announced a U.S.-funded grant totaling $626,850, which will support the Angolan Government’s rural electrification effort. The grant will provide technical assistance for hydropower development and electricity distribution projects in Cuchi (Kuando Kubango province) and Luena (Moxico province). This grant was announced at a lunch hosted by the U.S.-Angola Chamber of Commerce on May 31st, 2007. In her remarks, Assistant Secretary Frazer praised the high-level of cooperation between the United States and Angola and characterized it as being at an “all-time high in the political, economic, military and health spheres.” (Read more) U.S. EMBASSY PARTICIPATES IN THE AFRICA MALARIA DAY CELEBRATIONS HELD BY ANGOLAN AUTHORITIES IN THE NORTHERN PROVINCE OF MALANGE
On April 25,2007, U.S. Ambassador, Cynthia G. Efird and PMI partners accompanied a delegation led by the Angolan Minister of Health to the northeast province of Malange where the Government of Republic of Angola (GRP) officially celebrated Africa Malaria Day. The all-day event included meetings with local officials; the inauguration of an anti-malaria project with mosquito net distribution, and spraying demonstrations performed by the village’s local staff. In her speech to approximately 400 townspeople and one-hundred members of the international community, the Ambassador highlighted the PMI and noted the strides that the public-private partnership is making against malaria. The Ambassador’s message that ordinary Angolans must take an active role in preventing and treating malaria was underscored by the subsequent cultural performances which focused on the importance of mosquito net usage for pregnant woman and treatment for those who contract malaria. Embassy representatives also attended a Malaria Day event organized by Esso Angola and the Soyo Provincial Health Office, in Quimpondo village near the city of Soyo in the northern Zaire province. The event served as a platform for malaria awareness and the distribution of treated mosquito nets primarily targeting pregnant women and families with young children. The highlight of the event was an informative and entertaining theatrical play performed by a community-based group. The well-received play, loaded with anti-malaria messages, brought forth how social ills such as alcohol abuse, violence against women, and lack of education all intertwine to weaken one’s ability to effectively combat malaria.(Read more) USAID AND CHEVRON PARTNER TO PROVIDE $5.5 MILLION FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCE PROGRAM IN BENGUELA PROVINCE
On March 1, 2007 the Embassy’s Agricultural Development and Finance Program (ADFP) was officially launched by Ambassador Cynthia G. Efird in Benguela. Present were, among others, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Maria Filomena Delgado and Governor of Benguela Dumilde Rangel. Senior members of Chevron Corporation also attended the event. ADFP is a five-year $5.5 million public-private partnership involving USAID and Chevron Corporation. The project is implemented through the Cooperative League of the USA (CLUSA) and its sub-grantees ECI Africa (a South African Consulting firm), and Action for Rural Development and Environment, and AGROMARKET (a Huila-based development non-profit). ProAgro Angola will work closely with the Angolan Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Agrarian Development Institute (IDA), among other public and private stakeholders, to increase the growth of selected commodity value chains such as bananas, potatoes, vegetables and coffee and to create greater business opportunities and capabilities for all its clients. (Read more) U.S. AND ANGOLA REINFORCE BILATERAL MIL-TO-MIL COOPERATION
Deputy Commander U.S. European Command, General William E. “Kip” Ward, visited Angola October 22-23 aimed at broadening and deepening existing U.S.-Angola Mil-to-Mil bilateral relations. During the visit General Ward held meetings with Angolan Minister of Defense, Kundy Pahiama, Acting Speaker of Parliament, João Lourenço, and General Sanjar, who recently completed his term of office as Chief of Staff for the Angola Armed Forces. The meetings laid the foundation for the envisioned stronger partnership between the United States and Angolan armed forces. In a press brief he gave to members of the Angolan media, General William Ward, explained his visit as geared towards “forging a positive personal relationship with Angolan counterparts and strengthening already existing positive Mil-to-Mil relations in combating global terrorism and proliferation of HIV/AIDs, promoting security organizations and protecting natural resources in the region.” General Sanjar, on his part, stated the importance of the bilateral relations pointing out that they represent reciprocal interests based on the exchange of ideas about the situation in the Southern African region.
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