How the CIA Operated

Speaking to more than 100 Mozambican and foreign reporters, Minister of Information Jose Luis Cabaco said that "in collaboration with the South African secret services", the CIA officers "had as a priority the recruitment of individuals working in the General Staff of the Armed Forces, with the aim of obtaining information concerning types of weaponry, personnel numbers, the localization of refugee camps, ZANLA training camps and the residences of leaders of the Patriotic Front, the ANC, SWAPO, Fretilin, the Polisario Front and the PLO".

Cabaco claimed that "the CIA looked for the most detailed information possible on the types and quantities of weapons, their location, troop numbers and the level of combat preparation of the Mozambican Armed Forces".

He added that at the same time, "the CIA tried to obtain up to date information on the movements of President Samora Machel and the type of transport used by him". Recruitment of pilots and crew members who normally accompany the president was also one of the aims of the CIA. The CIA's interest in the President went as far as the attempt to obtain information about his "personality, tastes, friendships, lifestyle and the people closest to him". Similar information was sought about members of the Frelimo Party's Standing Political Committee as well as other party and state leaders. Jose Luis Cabaco said that "the objectives and methodology of the CIA actions indicate that it was preparing for the economic and political destabilization of our people's state and political assassinations".

He added that during investigation on CIA activities it was confirmed that the information gathered was "channelled to the secret services of the racist, minority regime of South Africa and the military intelligence services who used it to commit acts of aggression against our country".

The Minister of Information said that one of the CIA's activities was recruitment of foreigners resident in Mozambique "in clear violation of Mozambican laws."

He added that in its statement the US State Department "did not deny the espionage activities of the CIA" in Mozambique.