Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08RABAT879
2008-09-16 18:19:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rabat
Cable title:
MAURITANIAN ENVOY EXPLAINS COUP TO GOM
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHRBA #0879 2601819 ZNY CCCCC ZZH ZUI RUEWMCE6458 2601826 O 161819Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY RABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC0000 INFO RUEHNK/AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT MAGHREB COLLECTIVE RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000879
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W AND NEA/MAG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/16/2018
TAGS: PREL KDEM MR MO
SUBJECT: MAURITANIAN ENVOY EXPLAINS COUP TO GOM
Classified By: DCM Robert P. Jackson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000879
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W AND NEA/MAG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/16/2018
TAGS: PREL KDEM MR MO
SUBJECT: MAURITANIAN ENVOY EXPLAINS COUP TO GOM
Classified By: DCM Robert P. Jackson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) During a long September 16 briefing on Western Sahara
(septel),Moroccan Foreign Minister Taieb Fassi Fihri told
the Perm 5 Ambassadors and Charges, as well as the Spanish
Ambassador, that King Mohammed VI and he had met new
Mauritanian Foreign Minister Mohamed Mahmoud Ould Mohamedou
in Casablanca and Rabat on September 15 and 16, respectively.
Fassi Fihri related that the Mauritanian envoy had explained
that what had transpired was not a coup since most
institutions continue to function, and the lack of checks and
balances had forced the junta to act. The Moroccans had
received assurances that no member of the junta -- nor former
President Abdallahi -- would be allowed to run for President.
Building on the road map approved by the parliament on
September 14, the Mauritanian Foreign Minister indicated that
an election timetable should be established within a month.
2. (U) The visit of Ould Mohamedou was extensively reported
in the local press. Moroccan media, which has speculated
that Morocco may have been behind the coup, reported that
King Mohammed VI had voiced strong support for a return to
"normal constitutional life" in Mauritania.
*****************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified WQite;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
*****************************************
Riley
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W AND NEA/MAG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/16/2018
TAGS: PREL KDEM MR MO
SUBJECT: MAURITANIAN ENVOY EXPLAINS COUP TO GOM
Classified By: DCM Robert P. Jackson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) During a long September 16 briefing on Western Sahara
(septel),Moroccan Foreign Minister Taieb Fassi Fihri told
the Perm 5 Ambassadors and Charges, as well as the Spanish
Ambassador, that King Mohammed VI and he had met new
Mauritanian Foreign Minister Mohamed Mahmoud Ould Mohamedou
in Casablanca and Rabat on September 15 and 16, respectively.
Fassi Fihri related that the Mauritanian envoy had explained
that what had transpired was not a coup since most
institutions continue to function, and the lack of checks and
balances had forced the junta to act. The Moroccans had
received assurances that no member of the junta -- nor former
President Abdallahi -- would be allowed to run for President.
Building on the road map approved by the parliament on
September 14, the Mauritanian Foreign Minister indicated that
an election timetable should be established within a month.
2. (U) The visit of Ould Mohamedou was extensively reported
in the local press. Moroccan media, which has speculated
that Morocco may have been behind the coup, reported that
King Mohammed VI had voiced strong support for a return to
"normal constitutional life" in Mauritania.
*****************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified WQite;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
*****************************************
Riley