8 October 2008
Luanda — The US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Africa, Theresa Whelan, said Wednesday in Luanda that her country intends to deepen cooperation with Angola in the defence field.
Theresa Whelan was speaking to journalists at Luanda's "4 de Fevereiro" International
Airport, short after arriving for a two-day visit to Angola, as part of existing bilateral relations.
She added that the US wants to deepen existing cooperation that has already started in the
areas of maritime security and peacekeeping in Africa.
The official also mentioned that these are the main topics that will be talked over with the
Angolan authorities during her stay in the country.
Answering a question, Theresa Whelen ruled out the establishment in Angola of the US African Command (Africon).
She explained that there has been a misunderstanding on the issue as the US has never requested any country to host Africon.
The official reiterated that while in Angola, she will discuss with the authorities the strengthening of relations between the two countries in the military sphere.
In his turn, the national director of International Relations of the Defence Ministry, André Mendes de Carvalho, who welcomed the US delegation, explained that the Angolan
Government has never been approached on hosting the Africon.
"Angolan Government has never been requested to host the headquarters of this command.
So, we have never considered this possibility ((...) we do not host military bases as the Constitution prohibits it," he underlined.
Theresa Whelan's programme includes a meeting with the Defence minister, Kundi Pahama, and the start of official talks between the two delegations, followed by the signing of the honour book.
On Thursday, she will visit the Army Headquarters, the Anthropology Museum and the Centre of Strategic Studies.
Theresa Whelan is responsible for the US defence policy on Africa and has a 17 years experience in continent's affairs.
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