WAITING FOR ALGERIA: MALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

S E C R E T BAMAKO 001029

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2017
TAGS: PREL ASEC PINS ML
SUBJECT: WAITING FOR ALGERIA: MALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER
DISCUSSES UNREST IN THE NORTH, COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACY
MINISTERIAL

REF: BAMAKO 1015

Classified By: POLITICAL OFFICER GLENN FEDZER FOR REASON 1.4 (B)


1. (S) Foreign Minister Moctar Ouane asked to see the
Ambassador on September 18 to discuss the situation in
northern Mali, and to underline Mali's appreciation for U.S.
diplomatic and material support, particularly the recent
airlift of food supplies to its besieged garrison at
Tinzawaten. The FM also briefed the Ambassador on his
September 6-7 trip to ask Algeria for help to end hostilities
in the Kidal region. Ouane said that he met with the
Algerian Prime Minister to seek renewed engagement by Algiers
with the Tuareg dissidents. He also sought Algerian
intervention to release the Malian civilian and military
hostages taken by Ibrahim ag Bahanga, and for assistance in
bringing relief supplies to Tinzawaten.


2. (S) Echoing President Amadou Toumani Toure's earlier
comments to the Ambassador (reftel),Ouane expressed
frustration at the absence of action from Algeria, including
what the Malians regard as a token resupply effort that also
provided aid and comfort to Bahanga and the forces he has
deployed around Tinzawaten. Ouane said that Alliance for
Democratic Change (ADC) leader Iyad ag Ghali's involvement in
brokering a ceasefire in advance of negotiations had not been
successful, and that Algerian mediation would be essential to
resolve the current crisis. He added that Mali found it
inexplicable that Algeria -- the architect of the agreement
that ended the May 2006 Tuareg rebellion -- was standing on
the sidelines when Bahanga's actions also affected their own
security.


3. (S) Ouane reiterated the Malian Government's deep
appreciation for the U.S. airlift, saying it sent a "powerful
signal" that all sides were committed to a peaceful
resolution of the crisis. Noting that Bahanga had demanded
the Malians evacuate Tinzawaten, FM Ouane said that Mali
could not agree to the complete withdrawal of troops from its
own territory. He added that it was a mistake to have agreed
to demilitarize the north as part of the National Pact that
ended the Tuareg uprising in the 90s. The subsequent absence
of security forces allowed illegality to flourish, and only
by reestablishing itself in the north could the Malian state
put an end to it. Ouane said he had seen the Algerian
Ambassador to Mali on September 17, but averred that the
Algerian appeared to have no instructions from Algiers.
(Note: Algerian Ambassador to Mali Abdelkrim Gheraieb was a
key participant in the negotiations that led to the National
Pact in the 1990s, and he played an equally influential role
in brokering the 2006 Algiers Accords. End Note).

4.(U) Turning to other topics, Minister Ouane reiterated a
request for U.S. financial and material assistance with the
Community of Democracy Ministerial scheduled for Bamako
November 15-17. In response to a query from the Ambassador,
the FM said that Mali had reached out to other partners such
as Spain and Italy, but had heard nothing back. The
Ambassador encouraged the FM to engage key partners like
France, and noted that the United States was supporting the
Malian effort with appeals to other members of the Community
of Democracies. Ouane said he planned to raise Mali's appeal
at the democracy caucus ministerial set for the October 1 on
the margins of UNGA.
McCulley