CHARGE MEETING WITH PRIME MINISTER ZEINE OULD

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NOUAKCHOTT 000584 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2017 TAGS: EAID ETRD MR PGOV PHUM PREL PTER SUBJECT: CHARGE MEETING WITH PRIME MINISTER ZEINE OULD ZEIDANE REF: NOUACKCHOTT 566 Classified By: CDA Steven Koutsis for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: In a tour d'horizon meeting June 21, Prime Minister Zeine Ould Zeidane assured Charge that Mauritania would continue to work closely with the United States on counter-terrorism despite the recent release of suspects thought to pose a threat to United States interests. He indicated that Mauritania remained open to dialogue on the transfer of a Guantanamo detainee. The Prime Minister stressed the need for continued economic assistance, solicited advice on how best to profit from AGOA, welcomed U.S. assistance on anti-corruption efforts, and emphasized a strong NGO sector as essential to the elimination of trafficking and forced labor. Charge encouraged the Prime Minister to consider applying for funds from the Millennium Challenge Corporation. End Summary. -------------- Secret Prisons and Counter Terrorism SIPDIS -------------- ¶2. (C) The Prime Minister stressed Mauritania's commitment to security and the fight against terrorism and noted that the government will establish an inter-ministerial body to analyze and deal with the terrorist threat. He noted Charge's disappointment that three of the ten terrorists were freed June 5 despite compelling evidence seized during the arrest that suggested plans to attack Western interests. The Prime Minister questioned why this evidence was not presented at the trial, making fleeting reference to novice and "unprofessional" legal institutions. He assured Charge that the Mauritanian government would pay close attention to these particular suspects and reiterated that the two countries will find ways to work together. ¶3. (C) Charge acknowledged the Foreign Ministry's categorical denial of allegations of secret CIA prisons in Mauritania (reftel). The Prime Minister asked how such a rumor could have started. Charge noted that the United States had continued to work closely with transitional government on counter-terrorism and suggested that Seymour Hersh's sources may have observed and misconstrued this collaboration. -------------- Guantanamo Detainee Transfer -------------- ¶4. (C) The Charge noted that the Embassy was receiving conflicting information about Mauritania's willingness to accept the transfer of a Guantanamo detainee with ties to Mauritania. The last official response we have received from the Foreign Ministry is that the detainee is not Mauritanian and Mauritania would not accept him. At the same time, we are receiving word from the security services that Mauritania is willing to accept the detainee. The Prime Minister said he did not believe the matter was closed, but said that Mauritania would need to focus all its resources on the one person if it were to monitor the detainee to the degree the draft agreement suggests. Charge replied that the USG understands both the legal and resource limitations involved. The security services had already discussed with Embassy officials possible procedures to monitor the detainee, and if Mauritania is willing to commit to that level of monitoring, the Embassy would forward the plan to the Department to determine whether it meets USG requirements. The Prime Minister said he would instruct the Foreign Ministry to continue the dialogue. -------------- Foreign Assistance -------------- ¶5. (C) The Prime Minister was pleased that Mauritania's AGOA benefits would soon be restored even though prior to the suspension of benefits following the 2005 coup no companies had taken advantage of the trade agreement. He asked how Mauritania could take advantage of AGOA. Charge urged that Mauritania attend the July 18-19 AGOA Forum in Accra to learn how best to profit from AGOA. He added, however, that it was his view that the restoration of AGOA benefits coupled with the certification of the ports, which seems to be nearing reality, together would allow for the exportation of seafood products to the U.S., and would open the U.S. markets for the new mining and petroleum sectors. ¶6. (SBU) Charge encouraged the government to engage in the MCC threshold program and presented the Prime Minister with Mauritania's fiscal year 2007 indicator scores. Charge acknowledged that some of the figures were outdated and NOUAKCHOTT 00000584 002 OF 002 Mauritania would probably pass in Ruling Justly category. The Prime Minister noted that Mauritania had improved in some categories adding that it has persistently done poorly in the "doing business" category. The two also agreed that a collaborative effort in girls' education may also be useful, as the Peace Corps is already engaged in this issue. ¶7. (C) Charge also reiterated that Mauritania would receive assistance through the Trans Sahara Counter Terrorism Partnership (TSCTP) and hoped that with continued capacity building in civil and military arenas Mauritania will eventually be integrated into the African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) program. -------------- Trafficking in Persons -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Charge raised the recent TIP report where Mauritania remained on the Tier II Watchlist. The Department would soon provide a proposed action plan, but generally, Mauritania needs to make stronger laws on slavery (which the new government has already committed to do) and to enforce existing trafficking laws better. The Prime Minister responded positively, stating that "we must create an environment that calls for the end of the problem." He demonstrated a clear understanding of the importance of the NGO sector, noting that civil society is weak in Mauritania. Charge noted that with the new government this would be an excellent opportunity to work to remove Mauritania from the Watchlist. Frankly, there was little incentive from either side during the transition period to take more than modest steps; now, a legitimate government can move forward. The Prime Minister stressed that organizations focused on the slavery issue should play a central role sensitizing the public and directing law enforcement officials to cases. When Charge mentioned that regional governors prefer to address cases administratively rather than referring cases to the courts, the Prime Minister stated that he intended to bring an end to this practice. Charge explained that the U.S. Embassy had previously worked on the issue with an inter-ministerial committee and urged the Prime Minister to reconstitute the committee, taking into consideration the changes in ministries' portfolios. -------------- Corruption -------------- ¶9. (C) Charge informed the Prime Minister that the Embassy wanted to move ahead with an anti-corruption campaign similar to the voter awareness campaign the Embassy funded and organized with the electoral commission. However, there was no clear partner within the Mauritanian government. The Prime Minister welcomed U.S. assistance on counter-corruption initiatives and emphasized the need for a strategy that consists of clearly defined actions. He noted the government's three recent steps against corruption: including, the High Court that will try the President for high treason and Prime Minister and other government officials for infractions, the requirement that members of the government make formal financial disclosures, and the creation of an Economic and Social Council. The government planned to create an inter-ministerial committee to create an overall strategy on corruption. The Prime Minister assured the Charge that the government will share the comprehensive anti-corruption strategy that is being developed with the embassy, and encouraged USG input. However, corruption requires urgent attention and the Embassy's proposal should not be contingent upon completion of the government strategy. The Inspector General will serve as the current point of contact for the Embassy on corruption issues until a broad-reaching body has been constructed. ¶10. (C) The Prime Minister also said that Mauritania had asked Transparency International to begin working here and asked the United States to assist by encouraging them. Charge said he would explore ways with USAID to further help in developing the government's anti-corruption strategy. Koutsis