INSTRUCTION TO SEEK A UNSC STATEMENT ON MAURITANIA

UNCLAS STATE 085170 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PRUM XA XY MR SUBJECT: INSTRUCTION TO SEEK A UNSC STATEMENT ON MAURITANIA ¶1. (U) This is an action request. USUN should immediately urge African Security Council members' to take the lead in the drafting of a Presidential Statement or Press Statement on the situation in Mauritania. USUN should draw from the following points when recommending text for the statement. End action. ¶2. (U) Begin points: -- The Security Council condemns the Mauritanian military's overthrow of the democratically-elected President of Mauritania and welcomes the statements by the African Union and the European Union condemning the coup. -- The Security Council opposes any attempts by military elements to change governments through extra - constitutional means. -- The Security Council calls on the military to release President Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi and Prime Minister Yahya Ould Ahmed El Waghef and Interior Minister Mohamed Ould R'Zeizim and to restore the legitimate, constitutional, democratically-elected government immediately. -- The Mauritanian military's actions are extremely disappointing, especially in light of Mauritania's recent democratic progress and subsequent material increases in assistance from the international community since the last election. -- The Security Council looks to all international partners to condemn these actions and remains seized of the matter. RICE