MAURITANIAN PERMREP WANTS DIALOGUE WITH U.S., SAYS

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000986 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/28/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL MR SUBJECT: MAURITANIAN PERMREP WANTS DIALOGUE WITH U.S., SAYS WE CAN SEE PRESIDENT Classified By: Ambassador Alejandro Wolff for Reasons 1.4 B/D. ¶1. (C) Mauritanian PermRep Ambassador Ould Hadrami met with PermRep Ambassador Khalilzad on October 28. Ould Hadrami requested the U.S. ambassador in Nouakchott engage in dialogue with the Mauritanian government during this "transitional segment of the democratic process," noting the EU and the AU are both communicating with his current government. Khalizad said he would investigate if there is a U.S. policy against bilateral dialogue. Khalilzad also reiterated the need for Mauritania to release President Abdallahi and return to constitutional rule. ¶2. (C) When queried if incarcerated President Abdallahi could be visited, Ould Hadrami said the EU, AU, and the French ambassador had all seen him, and the U.S. could "see him today" if desired. Ould Hadrami noted Mauritanians would meet in early November to produce a transition plan to return to constitutional government and would release Abdallahi after this meeting. He reiterated Mauritania's determined efforts in tracking al-Qaeda terrorists and his nation's need for strong cooperation with the U.S. Khalilzad