WESTERN SAHARA: FOREIGN MINISTER REAFFIRMS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ALGIERS 000947 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2018 TAGS: PREL PBTS PREF UNSC WI MO AG SUBJECT: WESTERN SAHARA: FOREIGN MINISTER REAFFIRMS ALGERIAN SUPPORT FOR MANHASSET PROCESS REF: A. STATE 88765 ¶B. ALGIERS 935 Classified By: Ambassador David D. Pearce; reasons 1.4 (b, d). ¶1. (C) In their introductory meeting August 28, Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci raised the Western Sahara briefly with the Ambassador and flagged it as an issue that the Algerians would be interested to discuss during the Secretary's proposed September 6 visit. Medelci described relations among the countries of the Maghreb as generally good, but noted that the Western Sahara question could not be separated from any specific consideration of Algerian-Moroccan bilateral relations. He observed that the ceasefire brokered in the Western Sahara by the UN had remained in place for nearly 20 years, and said Algeria wanted to see peace maintained in the area. ¶2. (C) The Ambassador told Medelci that the U.S. was committed to helping the parties reach a just and mutually acceptable solution to the Western Sahara conflict through the negotiation process begun at Manhasset. Medelci responded by affirming Algeria's support for the Manhasset negotiations (ref A) and he welcomed the opportunity to continue the dialogue, including with the Secretary during her visit. ¶3. (C) COMMENT: As we anticipated and as the Polisario ambassador in Algiers indicated recently (ref B),the Algerians will continue to support and participate in the Manhasset talks on the Western Sahara. PEARCE