In Search of Enemies - A CIA Story - John Stockwell

IN SEARCH OF ENEMIES
FLEC (Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda), and
plunged across the Zairian/Cabinda border. Cabinda, separated
from the rest of Angola by a narrow strip of Zairian territory, had
been coveted by the expansionist Mobutu since his ascension to
power in the mid-sixties. Mobutu's greed was further stimulated in
the late sixties, when oil was di~covered off the Cabindan coastline.
Seeing his chance in October 1975 to annex the MPLA-held Cabinda,
Mobutu approached the CIA. We promptly flew in a one-thousandman
arms package for use in the invasion, and CIA officers of the
Kinshasa station began to visit the FLEC training camp to coordinate.
On November 2, a joint invasion force launched a three-column
attack against the MPLA defenders, who were reinforced with
Cuban advisors. They were accompanied by a half-dozen French
mercenaries, not that they made any difference.• The Cuban/
MPLA force easily held Cabinda.
Meanwhile in the central regions of Angola, UNIT A was having
a difficult time with major action on two flanks. The Katangese
checked them at Luso and a Cuban-led MPLA force turned them
back short of Lobito, and then pressed inland from the coast, getting
close enough to Nova Lisboa to cut off the city's water and electricity.
Reeling, attacked on two sides, Savimbi accepted increasing
South African military assistance. He was under enormous pressure
from President Kaunda of Zambia to open the Benguela railroad
before November 11-if Savimbi controlled the railroad by Independence
Day Kaunda could rationalize continued support, perhaps
even recognition. Otherwise, Kaunda would have to deal with the
MPLA.
While Mobutu's commandos were attacking Caxito, a South
African armored column crossed the border into southern Angola
and began moving north. Fifty armored cars were manned by
250 South African soldiers, and supported by 750 command, artillery,
and logistical troops inside Angola. Another 2 ,000 troops
provided logistical support from the border. C-13os and trucks
kept the armored cars fueled, and the commanders got about in
light planes and helicopters. The armored cars linked up with
*These Frenchmen may in fact have been hired by the French intelligence service.
French agents were appearing in Kinshasa and in Angola, but CIA intelligence on
the subject was sketchy.