WESTERN SAHARA: US INTERVENTIONS CONCERNING

C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000341 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/MAG E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/23/2016 TAGS: AG KPKO MO PARM PBTS PINR PREL SUBJECT: WESTERN SAHARA: US INTERVENTIONS CONCERNING POTENTIAL CONFRONTATION WITH THE POLISARIO DISCUSSED WITH THE FOREIGN MINISTER REF: RABAT 00326 Classified By: AMBASSADOR THOMAS T. RILEY FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d) ¶1. (C) Ambassador Thomas T. Riley called Foreign Minister Benaissa to update him on the steps taken by the USG (reftel) regarding a potential Polisario organized march on the berm in the Western Sahara on February 27. The Ambassador informed the Foreign Minister that the Department of State, Embassy Algiers, and MINURSO had been contacted. ¶2. (C) The Ambassador stated that the MINURSO force commander will be meeting with Polisario representatives over the weekend and on Monday, February 27 to reinforce the importance of the Polisario honoring its earlier assurances to MINURSO that there will not be anyone marching to the berm nor will provocative demonstrations be staged. ¶3. (C) The Ambassador assured the Foreign Minister that Embassy Algiers will be making similar points to the Polisario and the Algerians to take necessary measures to avoid provocation. ¶4. (C) The Foreign Minister stated that Algeria and the Polisario are provoking a problem and are instigating demonstrations from Tindouf and Algiers. He also stated that MINURSO is a problem for the GOM and that he appeared to be unaware of assurances MINURSO had received from the Polisario. ¶5. (C) The Ambassador reminded the Foreign Minister that maximum restraint is required by the GOM in this situation. In particular, if there are demonstrations of any sort, i.e., pro-Polisario or not, in Laayoune, the GOM must be avoid confrontation and exercise restraint. The Foreign Minister agreed, but added that if property is destroyed, as has occurred in past demonstrations, the GOM will have to intervene. ****************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ****************************************** Riley