Cablegate: Influential Deputy Predicts Publication
VZCZCXRO7126
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHTO #1060 2470650
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 040650Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY MAPUTO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7869
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
UNCLAS MAPUTO 001060
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
AF/S FOR MSHIELDS
G/TIP FOR RYOUSEY
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM PHUM KWMN SMIG ELAB KFRD MZ
SUBJECT: INFLUENTIAL DEPUTY PREDICTS PUBLICATION
OF TIP LAW BY APRIL 2008
REF: MAPUTO 886
1. (U) Poloff met recently with Ossumane Aly
Dauto, Chairman of the National AssemblyQs
powerful Legal Affairs and Human Rights
Committee, to encourage the Mozambican government
(GRM) to pass a comprehensive anti-trafficking
law, which would be the first of its kind in
Southern Africa. After being forwarded by the
Council of Ministers to the National Assembly in
July (see reftel), the legislation is now being
considered by DautoQs committee, which is
responsible for evaluating the legality of all
draft legislation. Once approved by the
committee, the legislation must be approved by
the full National Assembly and promulgated by
President Guebuza before being published as law.
2. (SBU) Poloff reiterated the importance of
swiftly passing a comprehensive law, which could
serve as an example to neighboring countries and
reminded Dauto of the collaborative relationship
between the GRM and USG as evidenced by USG
technical assistance in drafting the law. Poloff
referenced the DepartmentQs annual TIP report and
stressed that passing a law would significantly
help the GRM raise its TIP ranking, which fell to
Watch List in the most recent report. Dauto was
receptive to the visit and related that he had
recently received a group of NGOs in July who
were also lobbying the committee for a quick
passage of the law. He concluded the meeting by
estimating the law would be published in March or
April 2008.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: Dauto is a powerful Frelimo
Congressman who has served as the only Chairman
of the Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee
since the first multi-party elections in 1994.
Prior to that, he was the Minister of Justice for
eight years. His mention of a specific date for
passage of the TIP law is significant and
encouraging. It is a conversation we will
reference as we continue to engage both the GRM
and the National Assembly to ensure swift passage
of the TIP legislation.
CHAPMAN