Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NOUAKCHOTT114
2009-02-09 17:15:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Nouakchott
Cable title:
JUNTA GIVES FIRST REACTION TO AU-IMPOSED SANCTIONS ON
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NOUAKCHOTT 000114
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPAO MR
SUBJECT: JUNTA GIVES FIRST REACTION TO AU-IMPOSED SANCTIONS ON
MAURITANIA
REF: ADDIS ABABA 332
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NOUAKCHOTT 000114
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPAO MR
SUBJECT: JUNTA GIVES FIRST REACTION TO AU-IMPOSED SANCTIONS ON
MAURITANIA
REF: ADDIS ABABA 332
1. (U) Colonel Ahmedou Bemba Ould Baye, Secretary General of the
High State Council posted a statement on the HSC web site in the
junta's first official reaction to the sanctions imposed by the
African Union on February 5 (Reftel). In his statement, Baye
offered mild criticism of the AU, arguing that it was unaware of the
"positive measures and developments" ushered in with the
"Rectification Movement." Baye also trumpeted the supposed
accomplishments of the HSC, and said Mauritania's hand remains
extended to the international community and domestic political
actors to "begin a frank and responsible dialogue."
2. (SBU) Comment: The High State Council chose to issue its first
reaction to sanctions via a low-key message by its Secretary General
on a Web site, rather than through the official state-run
newspapers, radio, or TV. Junta head, General Abdel Aziz, has made
no comment. Undoubtedly the HSC wants to minimize the potential
domestic fallout from the imposition of sanctions. Nevertheless,
other media outlets were more forthcoming. The headline "Targeted
AU sanctions against the High State Council: As if nothing had
happened?" was one representative reaction highlighting the HSC's
seeming oblivion to international condemnation. End comment.
3. (U) The following text is an English translation of the original
French statement by Colonel Baye:
BEGIN TEXT
ROADMAP OF THE NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON DEMOCRACY: AN IRREVERSIBLE
ROUTE
I am taking this opportunity to thank all the Mauritanian citizens
who participate in the activities of the web site www.hce.mr by
consulting it regularly or by enriching it with their diverse
contributions.
I inform them equally of my decision to join them, through this
column, in order to establish a direct exchange on the methods and
means best suited for preparing the transition period.
In this regard, I want to reassure our citizens of the determination
of the High State Council and its leader General Mohamed Ould Abdel
Aziz, Head of State, to lead to completion all the measures underway
with a view towards the rapid return of constitutional order, in
accordance with the will expressed by the overwhelming majority of
Mauritanians.
This strategic choice is dictated by the supreme interest of the
nation and by the recommendations formulated by the participants in
the National Dialogue on Democracy, far removed from any political
one-upmanship or exterior meddling.
This reality seems to have been overshadowed by the latest decision
of the African Union Peace and Security Council, which not only
ignored the positive measures and developments registered out in the
field since the advent of the Rectification Movement, but also the
open-mindedness of our partners that has been expressed by all the
steps they have undertaken to find a way out of the current
situation and return to constitutional order.
Whatever one may say, the reforms we have committed to and the
general feeling of all our citizens shows that the initial crisis
experienced during the reign of the former President of the Republic
is well and truly past.
In this respect the road map issued by the National Dialogue on
Democracy could not be clearer... Clear also are the measures of
cleaning up public management, making urban spaces viable, improving
living conditions, paying for emergency medical care, securing the
borders and fighting terrorism and organized crime, etc...
As much as it was desirable that all these issues should serve to
offset the unbridled fervor towards sanctions, they still serve for
us as objective levers for legitimizing the process mapped out by
the Rectification Movement.
That said, our hand remains extended to all partners of Mauritania
NOUAKCHOTT 00000114 002 OF 002
so they can look deeper at the evolution underway, with strict
respect for the choices of our people.
Our hand is equally extended to all national political actors,
whoever they are, to begin a frank and responsible dialogue, in
order to seize the present opportunity to return to constitutional
order in a climate of participation, far removed from any taking of
sides or particular ambitions.
The ongoing preparations, such as the administrative census and
amendments of [electoral] lists must be the object of a vast
mobilization.
This mobilization must reflect the national will, especially since
for the first time Mauritanians abroad will be able to cast their
vote.
Such a measure is a guarantee of transparency that shows that our
citizens are mature enough to chart their own route, with all
sovereignty.
Secretary General
Colonel Ahmedou Bemba Ould Baye
END TEXT
HANKINS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPAO MR
SUBJECT: JUNTA GIVES FIRST REACTION TO AU-IMPOSED SANCTIONS ON
MAURITANIA
REF: ADDIS ABABA 332
1. (U) Colonel Ahmedou Bemba Ould Baye, Secretary General of the
High State Council posted a statement on the HSC web site in the
junta's first official reaction to the sanctions imposed by the
African Union on February 5 (Reftel). In his statement, Baye
offered mild criticism of the AU, arguing that it was unaware of the
"positive measures and developments" ushered in with the
"Rectification Movement." Baye also trumpeted the supposed
accomplishments of the HSC, and said Mauritania's hand remains
extended to the international community and domestic political
actors to "begin a frank and responsible dialogue."
2. (SBU) Comment: The High State Council chose to issue its first
reaction to sanctions via a low-key message by its Secretary General
on a Web site, rather than through the official state-run
newspapers, radio, or TV. Junta head, General Abdel Aziz, has made
no comment. Undoubtedly the HSC wants to minimize the potential
domestic fallout from the imposition of sanctions. Nevertheless,
other media outlets were more forthcoming. The headline "Targeted
AU sanctions against the High State Council: As if nothing had
happened?" was one representative reaction highlighting the HSC's
seeming oblivion to international condemnation. End comment.
3. (U) The following text is an English translation of the original
French statement by Colonel Baye:
BEGIN TEXT
ROADMAP OF THE NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON DEMOCRACY: AN IRREVERSIBLE
ROUTE
I am taking this opportunity to thank all the Mauritanian citizens
who participate in the activities of the web site www.hce.mr by
consulting it regularly or by enriching it with their diverse
contributions.
I inform them equally of my decision to join them, through this
column, in order to establish a direct exchange on the methods and
means best suited for preparing the transition period.
In this regard, I want to reassure our citizens of the determination
of the High State Council and its leader General Mohamed Ould Abdel
Aziz, Head of State, to lead to completion all the measures underway
with a view towards the rapid return of constitutional order, in
accordance with the will expressed by the overwhelming majority of
Mauritanians.
This strategic choice is dictated by the supreme interest of the
nation and by the recommendations formulated by the participants in
the National Dialogue on Democracy, far removed from any political
one-upmanship or exterior meddling.
This reality seems to have been overshadowed by the latest decision
of the African Union Peace and Security Council, which not only
ignored the positive measures and developments registered out in the
field since the advent of the Rectification Movement, but also the
open-mindedness of our partners that has been expressed by all the
steps they have undertaken to find a way out of the current
situation and return to constitutional order.
Whatever one may say, the reforms we have committed to and the
general feeling of all our citizens shows that the initial crisis
experienced during the reign of the former President of the Republic
is well and truly past.
In this respect the road map issued by the National Dialogue on
Democracy could not be clearer... Clear also are the measures of
cleaning up public management, making urban spaces viable, improving
living conditions, paying for emergency medical care, securing the
borders and fighting terrorism and organized crime, etc...
As much as it was desirable that all these issues should serve to
offset the unbridled fervor towards sanctions, they still serve for
us as objective levers for legitimizing the process mapped out by
the Rectification Movement.
That said, our hand remains extended to all partners of Mauritania
NOUAKCHOTT 00000114 002 OF 002
so they can look deeper at the evolution underway, with strict
respect for the choices of our people.
Our hand is equally extended to all national political actors,
whoever they are, to begin a frank and responsible dialogue, in
order to seize the present opportunity to return to constitutional
order in a climate of participation, far removed from any taking of
sides or particular ambitions.
The ongoing preparations, such as the administrative census and
amendments of [electoral] lists must be the object of a vast
mobilization.
This mobilization must reflect the national will, especially since
for the first time Mauritanians abroad will be able to cast their
vote.
Such a measure is a guarantee of transparency that shows that our
citizens are mature enough to chart their own route, with all
sovereignty.
Secretary General
Colonel Ahmedou Bemba Ould Baye
END TEXT
HANKINS