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Edwin In the 1970s the intrusion of major Cuban troops in Angola and Ethiopia was a new dimension. Angola is worthy of study—-MPLA supported by CIA [Holden Roberto was a dilettante, Joseph Sivembi—an impressive local fighter—and the winning Angolans.

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Yes, Jonas Savimbi is worthy of study. He and UNITA got support from China and US to seek independence from MPLA that was supported by the Soviet. So, Russia is always on the opposite side of the continent supporters

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Edwin In my recollections of the 1960s I mixed MPLA with Holden Roberto’s National Liberation Front. Holder’s group was ‘foo foo dust,’ with a facade in Leopoldville. At one time the Congolese govt provided it $1 million. It was CIA funded. The MPLA was a genuine Angolan independence movement.

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It seems MPLA, despite being in government was courteous enough to hold talks with Jonas Savimbi though he waged a civil war. The resulting impact was peace. MPLA was flexible enough to be accommodative and generous enough to accept him.

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Edwin How do you think that the daughter of the ruler in Angola became the richest woman in Africa?

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Isabel dos Santos? I want to know primary data about her.

So far, I am aware of her telecommunications company.

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Edwin Castro claims that his despatch of Cuban troops to support MPLA was done without Soviet pre-knowledge. These troops trounced South African troops [supported by US] that moved north to fight the MPLA. The South Africans were surprised and defeated.

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