Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ALGIERS906
2008-08-16 06:13:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Algiers
Cable title:
ALGERIA STANDS QUIETLY BEHIND AU AND ARAB LEAGUE
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ALGIERS 000906
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/12/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL MR AG
SUBJECT: ALGERIA STANDS QUIETLY BEHIND AU AND ARAB LEAGUE
RESPONSES TO MAURITANIA COUP
REF: STATE 84915
Classified By: CDA, a.i. Thomas F. Daughton; reasons 1.4 (b, d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ALGIERS 000906
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/12/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL MR AG
SUBJECT: ALGERIA STANDS QUIETLY BEHIND AU AND ARAB LEAGUE
RESPONSES TO MAURITANIA COUP
REF: STATE 84915
Classified By: CDA, a.i. Thomas F. Daughton; reasons 1.4 (b, d).
1. (C) Charge met with newly appointed MFA Director General
for African Affairs (A/S equivalent) Lounes Magramane on
August 13 to deliver reftel demarche and underscore the need
for a constitutional resolution to the crisis in Mauritania.
Magramane said that Algeria was closely monitoring events in
Nouakchott, adding that there was no doubt about the need to
restore a constitutionally legitimate government. Asked
directly whether Algeria would issue a public statement to
this effect, Magramane quickly pointed out that the African
Union had already suspended Mauritania's membership and
stated publicly the need for a constitutional solution.
Magramane added that AU and Arab League envoys were
delivering that message to General Abdel Aziz. Magramane
also argued that Algeria's public position required no
clarification since the 1999 AU proclamation reaffirming the
Harare Decision on unconstitutional removal of governments
was adopted in Algiers.
2. (C) Charge asked if Algeria would be prepared to support
an Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) condemnation of the Mauritanian
coup. Magramane responded that the UMA was currently under
the presidency of Libya, and the Algerians thus had no idea
what the UMA was going to do: "We're not party to those
discussions," he remarked wryly.
3. (C) COMMENT: So far, the Algerians are satisfied with the
AU's public response to the coup and appear to prefer to use
the AU statement for diplomatic cover and as an excuse to
make no statement of their own. While President Bouteflika
and Foreign Minister Medelci did not return from their
weeklong trip to Asia until late on August 12, we do not
anticipate a significant change in the Algerian position --
at least as long as the AU process appears to be continuing.
DAUGHTON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/12/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL MR AG
SUBJECT: ALGERIA STANDS QUIETLY BEHIND AU AND ARAB LEAGUE
RESPONSES TO MAURITANIA COUP
REF: STATE 84915
Classified By: CDA, a.i. Thomas F. Daughton; reasons 1.4 (b, d).
1. (C) Charge met with newly appointed MFA Director General
for African Affairs (A/S equivalent) Lounes Magramane on
August 13 to deliver reftel demarche and underscore the need
for a constitutional resolution to the crisis in Mauritania.
Magramane said that Algeria was closely monitoring events in
Nouakchott, adding that there was no doubt about the need to
restore a constitutionally legitimate government. Asked
directly whether Algeria would issue a public statement to
this effect, Magramane quickly pointed out that the African
Union had already suspended Mauritania's membership and
stated publicly the need for a constitutional solution.
Magramane added that AU and Arab League envoys were
delivering that message to General Abdel Aziz. Magramane
also argued that Algeria's public position required no
clarification since the 1999 AU proclamation reaffirming the
Harare Decision on unconstitutional removal of governments
was adopted in Algiers.
2. (C) Charge asked if Algeria would be prepared to support
an Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) condemnation of the Mauritanian
coup. Magramane responded that the UMA was currently under
the presidency of Libya, and the Algerians thus had no idea
what the UMA was going to do: "We're not party to those
discussions," he remarked wryly.
3. (C) COMMENT: So far, the Algerians are satisfied with the
AU's public response to the coup and appear to prefer to use
the AU statement for diplomatic cover and as an excuse to
make no statement of their own. While President Bouteflika
and Foreign Minister Medelci did not return from their
weeklong trip to Asia until late on August 12, we do not
anticipate a significant change in the Algerian position --
at least as long as the AU process appears to be continuing.
DAUGHTON