Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08NOUAKCHOTT732
2008-12-15 12:45:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Nouakchott
Cable title:
JUNTA FINALLY ANNOUNCES START DATE FOR "NATIONAL
how-toVZCZCXRO6456 PP RUEHMA RUEHPA RUEHTRO DE RUEHNK #0732 3501245 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 151245Z DEC 08 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7931 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNMGH/MAGHREB COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHDO/AMEMBASSY DOHA PRIORITY 0313 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 0367 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 0700 RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID PRIORITY 1909 RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN PRIORITY 0391 RHMFISS/COMSOCEUR VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY RUEHDS/USMISSION USAU ADDIS ABABA PRIORITY RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 0433 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0808
UNCLAS NOUAKCHOTT 000732
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MR
SUBJECT: JUNTA FINALLY ANNOUNCES START DATE FOR "NATIONAL
DIALOGUE ON DEMOCRACY"
REF: NOUAKCHOTT 730
UNCLAS NOUAKCHOTT 000732
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MR
SUBJECT: JUNTA FINALLY ANNOUNCES START DATE FOR "NATIONAL
DIALOGUE ON DEMOCRACY"
REF: NOUAKCHOTT 730
1. (U) The junta-designated "Prime Minister" Moulaye Ould
Mohamed Laghdaf delivered a long-winded speech December 13 in
which he outlined a long list of supposed accomplishments by
the High State Council. He stressed the improvements in the
daily lives of citizens and actions undertaken "with the goal
of surmounting the institutional crisis that the former
president brought to the country." Only at the very end of
his speech did he mention the "National Dialogue on
Democracy," stating that it was the "decisive stage" for
organizing presidential elections. He announced a starting
date of December 27 for the "National Dialogue on Democracy."
Stating that the government will spare no effort to make the
project a success, he called on all political actors to
participate "so that we can correct the errors of the past
and build a solid foundation for a strong and lasting
democracy."
2. (SBU) Comment: The "National Dialogue on Democracy" has
been an often promised, and often delayed, High State Council
plan. Laghdaf provided no further details in his speech on a
program for the "dialogue," what exactly would be discussed,
or who would participate. It is likely the HSC will try to
stage-manage the discussions as much as possible, and use
them to legitimize and strengthen their own position.
Presumably the "dialogue" will be televised on TV Mauritania,
although whether it will be broadcast live remains to be seen
-- most likely TVM will use careful editing to place the
discussions in the best possible light for the HSC.
3. (SBU) As for participants, the anti-coup FNDD coalition
has flatly stated previously that they will not participate.
However, if General Aziz keeps his promise to unconditionally
release President Abdallahi from house arrest by December 24
(Reftel),several scenarios become possible. Abdallahi could
boycott the discussions altogether in keeping with the FNDD's
position. Or, Abdallahi could declare his own "dialogue" on
democracy, creating "dueling dialogues." Finally, Abdallahi
may choose to send organize protests at or near the event --
likely to be broken up.
.
4. (SBU) Finally, nominal opposition leader Ahmed Ould
Daddah has not officially stated yet whether or not his RFD
party will participate in the "National Dialogue on
Democracy." However, Aziz saw fit to speak for him in a
recent Al Jazeera interview when he stated that Daddah was
"one of the first supporters" of the coup, and that "I have
no doubt his party will attend the National Dialogue." Given
Daddah's perceived (or actual) cozying up to the regime, Aziz
may indeed be right, thereby scoring a major point for the
HSC's attempts to portray the dialogue as inclusive and
reflecting the "will of the people." Charge will meet Daddah
December 16. End comment.
5. (SBU) Mission officers will not participate in the
Dialogue and will boycott any opening or closing ceremony.
If the opportunity is given, we will send LES staff to
monitor the event.
HANKINS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MR
SUBJECT: JUNTA FINALLY ANNOUNCES START DATE FOR "NATIONAL
DIALOGUE ON DEMOCRACY"
REF: NOUAKCHOTT 730
1. (U) The junta-designated "Prime Minister" Moulaye Ould
Mohamed Laghdaf delivered a long-winded speech December 13 in
which he outlined a long list of supposed accomplishments by
the High State Council. He stressed the improvements in the
daily lives of citizens and actions undertaken "with the goal
of surmounting the institutional crisis that the former
president brought to the country." Only at the very end of
his speech did he mention the "National Dialogue on
Democracy," stating that it was the "decisive stage" for
organizing presidential elections. He announced a starting
date of December 27 for the "National Dialogue on Democracy."
Stating that the government will spare no effort to make the
project a success, he called on all political actors to
participate "so that we can correct the errors of the past
and build a solid foundation for a strong and lasting
democracy."
2. (SBU) Comment: The "National Dialogue on Democracy" has
been an often promised, and often delayed, High State Council
plan. Laghdaf provided no further details in his speech on a
program for the "dialogue," what exactly would be discussed,
or who would participate. It is likely the HSC will try to
stage-manage the discussions as much as possible, and use
them to legitimize and strengthen their own position.
Presumably the "dialogue" will be televised on TV Mauritania,
although whether it will be broadcast live remains to be seen
-- most likely TVM will use careful editing to place the
discussions in the best possible light for the HSC.
3. (SBU) As for participants, the anti-coup FNDD coalition
has flatly stated previously that they will not participate.
However, if General Aziz keeps his promise to unconditionally
release President Abdallahi from house arrest by December 24
(Reftel),several scenarios become possible. Abdallahi could
boycott the discussions altogether in keeping with the FNDD's
position. Or, Abdallahi could declare his own "dialogue" on
democracy, creating "dueling dialogues." Finally, Abdallahi
may choose to send organize protests at or near the event --
likely to be broken up.
.
4. (SBU) Finally, nominal opposition leader Ahmed Ould
Daddah has not officially stated yet whether or not his RFD
party will participate in the "National Dialogue on
Democracy." However, Aziz saw fit to speak for him in a
recent Al Jazeera interview when he stated that Daddah was
"one of the first supporters" of the coup, and that "I have
no doubt his party will attend the National Dialogue." Given
Daddah's perceived (or actual) cozying up to the regime, Aziz
may indeed be right, thereby scoring a major point for the
HSC's attempts to portray the dialogue as inclusive and
reflecting the "will of the people." Charge will meet Daddah
December 16. End comment.
5. (SBU) Mission officers will not participate in the
Dialogue and will boycott any opening or closing ceremony.
If the opportunity is given, we will send LES staff to
monitor the event.
HANKINS