Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05CAIRO6135
2005-08-09 16:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:  

MAURITANIA COUP: ARAB LEAGUE SENDING PERSONAL

Tags:  PREL PGOV PHUM MOPS PINR EG MR 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 006135 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/W AND AF/RA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/09/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM MOPS PINR EG MR
SUBJECT: MAURITANIA COUP: ARAB LEAGUE SENDING PERSONAL
ENVOY OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL, A TACIT NOD OF APPROVAL TO
COUP LEADERS

REF: STATE 143542 (NOTAL)

Classified by Acting DCM Michael Corbin for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 006135

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/W AND AF/RA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/09/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM MOPS PINR EG MR
SUBJECT: MAURITANIA COUP: ARAB LEAGUE SENDING PERSONAL
ENVOY OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL, A TACIT NOD OF APPROVAL TO
COUP LEADERS

REF: STATE 143542 (NOTAL)

Classified by Acting DCM Michael Corbin for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).


1. (C) Arab League Assistant Secretary General for
Palestinian Affairs Said Kamal (protect) told poloff August 9
that he had been appointed as the Secretary General's
Personal Envoy on Mauritania and that he would visit
Nouakchott August 11 to meet with coup leaders and others.
Kamal, who requested the meeting, sought background on the
latest USG thinking and policy views on the situation in
Mauritania, and provided the August 4 Arab League statement
on the coup (text at paragraph four). Drawing from reftel
cable, Department press guidance, and transcripts from the
Department's daily press briefing, poloff reiterated
Washington's condemnation of the non-constitutional steps
taken, as well as our close association with statements made
by the African Union.


2. (C) Kamal shared that while his instructions from
Secretary General Moussa were to avoid "interference in

SIPDIS
internal affairs," his visit would be a tacit indication of
support to coup leaders by the League. Furthermore, the
selection of Kamal - a Palestinian - would undoubtedly
emphasize the Secretary General's interest in bringing
Mauritania closer to League positions on relations with
Israel. Nevertheless, Kamal suggested that the coup leaders
were quickly consolidating their control, had offered
President Taya and his wife safe passage back to Nouakchott
to collect their belongings, and intended to invite
international monitors in to observe elections in one year.


3. (C) Comment. Kamal departs from Cairo on the morning of
August 10, giving us time to pass a message if so desired by
the Department. End comment.


4. (U) Begin text of Arab League Statement of August 4, 2005:

The Secretary General of the Arab League is closely
monitoring the current situation in the Islamic Republic of
Mauritania. The Secretary General is keen to do all that can
be done to achieve stability, security, and prosperity for
the people of Mauritania. He also stressed the importance of
preserving Mauritania,s identity as an Arab country and a
member of the Arab League. The policy of the Arab League is
guided by the following priciples:

First: Abiding by Arab League declarations with respect to
respecting the sovereignty of member countries.

Second: The importance of respecting the will of the people
of Mauritania, enabling them to organize their internal
affairs according to their interest, and the commitments that
were approved by recent Arab Summits -- especially the
modernization and the development of the Arab nations which
was approved in Tunis in 2004, mandating respect for the rule
of law, accomplishing justice and equity between citizens,
and respect of human rights according to international and
Arab declarations for human rights, and continuation of
economic and social development.

Third: The importance of continuing to protect the
principles supporting Arab stances towards key issues in
accordance with decisions of the Arab League at the level of
Ministers of Foreign Affairs.

End text of Arab League statement.


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JONES