SPAIN TEAMS WITH MAURITANIA TO STOP MIGRANT FLOW

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NOUAKCHOTT 000336

SIPDIS

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (Added Addressee)

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/23/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PINR EAID KPAO MR
SUBJECT: SPAIN TEAMS WITH MAURITANIA TO STOP MIGRANT FLOW

NOUAKCHOTT 00000336 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: Amb. Joseph LeBaron, Reasons 1.4 (b),(d)

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(C) Key Points
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-- The flow of sub-Saharan migrants from Mauritania's
northern port city of Nouadhibou to the Canary Islands has
developed into a crisis for the Spanish Government, which
estimates that 1,500 migrants drowned this past November and
December alone.

-- In reaction, the Spanish government sent four vessels to
patrol Mauritania's coastline and intercept migrants before
they reach the Canaries, and is currently building a "migrant
repatriation camp" in Mauritania to care for returning and
stranded migrants.

-- These agreements were announced following the visit of a
high-level Spanish delegation March 16. However, a Spanish
Embassy official confided that the visit was largely "for
show" as many of the plans had been agreed upon months
earlier.

-- A Spanish Embassy official described the cooperation
between Spain and Mauritania as "excellent."

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(C) Comments
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-- This crisis is directly linked to Morocco's recent
decision to tighten its border between Western Sahara and
Mauritania, a move it took in reaction to strong pressure
from the EU to help stop migrant flows. However, the
Moroccans appear to be willing partners, as this policy may
also decrease income for the Polisario.

-- The tightened border has changed the migration route.
Migrants, who once took boats to the Canaries from the
Western Sahara, are now departing from Nouadhibou, a
significantly longer sea voyage that exposes them to greater
danger, ultimately resulting in the increased death rates we
have seen over the past months.

End Key Points and Comments.

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SPANISH COOPERATION WITH MAURITANIA
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1. (C) The flow of sub-Saharan migrants from Mauritania's
northern port city of Nouadhibou to the Canary Islands has
developed into a crisis for the Spanish Government.
According to the Spanish Consul Alvaro Diaz Duque, their
response to the crisis has taken two paths, "first we are
working with the Mauritanians to reduce the flow of migrants
leaving the country, and second, we are providing services to
assist stranded and returning migrants." The first path --
called operation Seahorse -- "involves four Spanish vessels
patrolling Mauritanian and international waters to stop
would-be migrants before they reach the Canaries," Diaz said,
adding that "the Spanish are currently manning these vessels,
but we are training the Mauritanians to eventually take over
this role." According to Diaz, the boats have not yet been
turned over to the Mauritanians as has been reported in the
press, but he did not rule out this eventuality.


2. (C) Diaz said that assistance services included "at sea
rescues of threatened migrants," as well as "the creation of
a repatriation camp in Nouadhibou for returning and stranded
migrants." The camp, which is currently being built by 35
Spanish military engineers and is expected to open March 25,
"will house and feed up to 200 migrants while they are
awaiting return to their countries of origin," Diaz said. He
did not provide specifics on how migrants in the camp would
be returned, saying only that "that issue has not yet been
resolved with the Mauritanians." Diaz added that at present,
there are approximately 200 migrants being held in
Nouadhibou's main prison, and that once operational, these
people will be transferred to the camp.


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3. (C) Diaz described the cooperation between the Spanish and
Mauritanians as "excellent." "This is really Spain's
problem, and we are taking on much of the financial and
technical responsibility," Diaz said, adding that "the
Mauritanians, however, have been very cooperative in lending
what help they can, given their limited resources."


4. (C) These agreements on Spanish-Mauritanian cooperation
were announced following the visit of a high-level Spanish
delegation March 16. However, another Spanish Embassy
official confided that the visit was largely "for show" as
these plans had been underway for several months.


5. (C) For their part, the Mauritanians have established a
Regional Commission against Illegal Immigration. This
17-member commission, headed by the Wali (prefect) and
military commander of Nouadhibou, is tasked with organizing
Mauritania's reaction to the crisis, including coordinating
cooperation with Spain.

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AS MANY AS 1,500 MIGRANTS DROWNED IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER
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6. (U) According to a statement made by Spanish Defense
Minister Jose Bono March 21, between 1,200-1,500 migrants
drowned in the final two months of 2005 while attempting to
cross the dangerous waters between Mauritania and the Canary
Islands. More than 3,500 migrants have already arrived in
the Canaries this year and an estimated 2,200 are currently
awaiting repatriation.


7. (U) Diaz said the Spanish government's slow response to
the migrant crisis has drawn sharp criticism from the Spanish
public, particularly those living in the Canary Islands.
According to Diaz, this domestic criticism is what led the
Spanish government to send the high-level delegation to
Mauritania and press for the adding of the immigration issue
to the agenda for the European Summit currently underway in
Brussels.
LeBaron