PRESIDENT BQALAHI ADDRESSES THE NATION FOO

UNCLAS NOUAKCHOTT 000696
SENSITIVE, SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (ADDED CAPTION)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPAO MR
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT BQALAHI ADDRESSES THE NATION FOO
HHEQFQRQTTMQ IQCQ AUGUST 6 COUP


1. (SBU) On November 21,
President Abdallahi delivered his
first address to the nation since the August 6 coup. Because
the official state-run news outlets are tightly controlled by
the military junta, the address was broadcast on the pan-Arab
Al Arabiyasatellite channel which reaches most of
Mauritana's elites as well as satellite dish equipped coffee
shops throughout the country. In his address,Abdallahi
emphasized the gains made during his adinistration, renewed
his commitment to the army nd security services, and offered
to enter into any discussion on the future of Mauritania "as
soon as the coup fails." Abdallahi further called on the
V S A LIVE MSG
Mauritanian people to work with him to restor democracy.
Comment: President Abdallahi's speech covers the past well,
but offers little detail in the way of future plans to
resolve the crisis or restore constitutional order.
Unconfirmed loca press reports state that the Wali in
Abdallahi's home region (where he remains under house arrest)
He
has been instructed by the High State Council to prevent
future satellite broadcasts. If true, Abdlllahi may have less
opportunity to get his message to the people if and when he
has a concrete plan for a way forward. End comment.


2. (U) The foloowing is an English translation of the
original r"abic speech broadcast on Al Arabiya:


BEGIN TEXT

My dear compatriots,

The pledges undertookb"y the transitional authorities during
2005-2006, the constitutional statutes which you ratified by
an overwhelming majority in July 2006, and the fre and
transparent choice that you made in March 0007 to elect me to
the highest office in the lan,( was for you and for the rest
of the world a clear expression of an end of an era in our
history.

It appeared that our country had finally left behind the era
of coups. We set out on a path to strengthen national unity,
especially by organizing the return of refugees and by taking
definitive measures to end slavery, and inculcate a free and
democratic culture, and economic and social development.

Huge efforts were made in this area during the democratic
period of 15 months.

These continual efforts resulted in a marked improvement of
the economic situation and with the launching of the Special
Intervention Program, citizens began to enjoy the fruits of
reform which were praised by the IMF and the World Bank
during a meeting of the African Central Ban in Nouakchott
just 5 days before the coup.

These efforts materialized into an unprecedented level of
financial support for our country during the meeting of the
Consultative Group on Mauritania in Paris in December 2007,
and a massive influx of investors in our country from all
over the world.

Furthermore, public freedoms, human rights, freedom of the
press, an independent judiciary, and the regular functioning
of institutions were not hindered in any way during the 15
elapsed months of presidential rule. Our country became
proud and deserving of praise, and an example of a successful
transition to freedom and democracy, and of strengthened
national unity.

All of these gains were shattered on August 6, 2008 when one
officer seized power by force, forgetting his duty to serve,
obey, and defend the institutions of the Republic.
After corrupting the parliamentary institution, this coup
returned the country to the methods of intimidation and
corruption, and set it on the path to settling accounts as a
method of governance. Depriving the institutions of their
capacities and using economic populism will lead directly to
a collapse if it continues, dragging the country into a
suicidal diplomatic and economic isolation.

My dear compatriots,

It is my responsibility to confront this situation, and I am
convinced of your devotion to the values of peace and liberty
that are inherent in democracy, a devotion manifested by your
spontaneous mobilization, and by the unprecedented commitment
of numerous prominent political actors to fight for
democracy. Considering all of this, I will spare no effort
to lead the country out of its present ordeal in a peaceful
and civil manner.

For this, I need your help and solidarity so that we can work
together without violence or troubles, in a generous manner
and with national unity. We must avoid compromise solutions
that will fail to treat the root causes of problems, so that
we can return our country to constitutional order and thwart
the coup of August 6, 2008.

In my capacity as commander in chief of the Armed Forces, I
renew my confidence in the national army and security forces,
who I know exhibit republican traits. I take this
opportunity to express to them, the families of the victims,
and to the Mauritanian people my sincere heartfelt
condolences for the treacherous terrorist attack in Tourine.
I also renew to them my firm determination to support their
position as guardians of institutional stability and bastions
for the defense of our territorial integrity and national
sovereignty.

My dear compatriots,

As you know, the international community has gathered to
condemn the coup of August 6, 2008 and has refused to grant
legitimacy to its perpetrators. The international community
considers their acts, and any measures taken under their
authority, to be unlawful.

So in the name of all of you, I would like to express to the
members of the international community our appreciation for
the efforts they have taken to restore legality in our
country. We assure them at the same time that the failure of
the military coup in Mauritania, in accordance with treaties,
charters, and ratified agreements both local and
international, is a fundamental prerequisite for eradicating
forever the forceful seizure of power, and of guaranteeing
that democracy at last takes root in Africa and in the Arab
world.

For my part, at the moment the coup fails, I will be ready to
enter into any discussion or reflection on the future of our
institutions that is within the framework of the constitution
and laws of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. I will do
this in a spirit of tolerance, forgiveness, order, and
national unity.

I will continue to be, as I have been, the president for all
Mauritanians, preoccupied with guaranteeing freedom and
dignity for all, and with rejecting vengeance and settling of
accounts.

Long live a free and prosperous Mauritania!

END TEXT
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