Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06NOUAKCHOTT1060
2006-09-01 08:04:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Nouakchott
Cable title:  

VENEZUELA TRIES TO WOO MAURITANIA

Tags:  PREL UNSC UNGA GT VE MR 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO2408
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DE RUEHNK #1060 2440804
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 010804Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5804
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 0007
RUEHGT/AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA 0003
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0498
C O N F I D E N T I A L NOUAKCHOTT 001060 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA (DMCCARTHY) AF/RSA (RHOUSTON)
IO/UNP (BHARRIS),AND AF/W

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/31/2016
TAGS: PREL UNSC UNGA GT VE MR
SUBJECT: VENEZUELA TRIES TO WOO MAURITANIA

Classified By: CDA STEVEN KOUTSIS, REASONS 1.4 (b),(d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L NOUAKCHOTT 001060

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA (DMCCARTHY) AF/RSA (RHOUSTON)
IO/UNP (BHARRIS),AND AF/W

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/31/2016
TAGS: PREL UNSC UNGA GT VE MR
SUBJECT: VENEZUELA TRIES TO WOO MAURITANIA

Classified By: CDA STEVEN KOUTSIS, REASONS 1.4 (b),(d)


1. (U) Junta leader Col. Vall received Venezuelan Ministry of
Energy and Petroleum Director of International Relations Ivan
Orellana-Alcala on August 16 in Nouakchott. Described in the
press as "Special Envoy" of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez,
Orellana was reportedly welcomed on his arrival in Nouakchott
by Minster of Water and Acting Minster of Energy and
Petroleum Ely Ould Ahmedou. Following his meeting with Vall,
Orellana is reported to say he "came to express the
solidarity of Venezuela with the Mauritanian people and to
firm up the friendship that exists between (Venezuela) and
Africa." He added that he "raised with the Chief of State
issues concerning cooperation between the two countries in
the matters of oil, commerce, etc."

2. (C) According to MFA Secretary General Mohamed Lemine Ould
Moulaye Zeine, who attended the meeting, the two discussed
"strengthening cooperation" between the two countries and
establishing diplomatic relations. When Charge asked whether
the Venezuela candidacy for the non-permanent UNSC seat was
raised, he replied "a lot of things were discussed, but I was
particularly struck by the offer to establish diplomatic
relations."


3. (C) Charge reiterated USG opposition to Venezuela's
candidacy, pointing out that while Mauritania is moving
towards democracy, Venezuela is moving in the opposite
direction. Further, as the issue involves a region close to
the United States, it is being watched closely at a high
level in the USG, including how countries will vote. Moulaye
Zeine replied that cooperation between the two countries is
not new; in 2004 Venezuela donated $1 million to assist in
locust disaster relief (Note: We have been unable to verify
this.)


3. (C) Comment: Col. Vall is expected to attend the NAM
summit in September. Moulaye Zeine's response was much more
equivocal than the MFA response in March to our initial
demarche. End Comment.
Koutsis