Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NOUAKCHOTT117
2009-02-09 17:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Nouakchott
Cable title:
MEDIA AND POLITICAL PARTIES REACT TO AU-IMPOSED SANCTIONS
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UNCLAS NOUAKCHOTT 000117
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPAO MR
SUBJECT: MEDIA AND POLITICAL PARTIES REACT TO AU-IMPOSED SANCTIONS
ON MAURITANIA
REF: ADDIS ABABA 332
UNCLAS NOUAKCHOTT 000117
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPAO MR
SUBJECT: MEDIA AND POLITICAL PARTIES REACT TO AU-IMPOSED SANCTIONS
ON MAURITANIA
REF: ADDIS ABABA 332
1. (U) Reactions among the Mauritanian media and political class to
sanctions imposed by the African Union on February 5 (Reftel) fell
predictably along existing fault lines. Pro-coup media and
political parties condemned the sanctions, while anti-coup forces
largely welcomed the targeted sanctions. The following is a sample
of the reactions.
2. (U) The pro-coup Hatem party released a communique that was
covered in the state-run "Horizons" newspaper. Hatem declared its
"complete rejection... of any sanction, partial or total, imposed
from outside." Hatem further pledged its support to the High State
Council, and stated that any external interference in the affairs of
Mauritania was an "attack on its sovereignty and its independence."
3. (U) The sometimes pro-coup, sometimes anti-coup RFD president
Ahmed Ould Daddah fell squarely into the pro-coup camp regarding
sanctions. In an interview with the "Nouakchott Info Quotidien"
newspaper, Daddah stated "We are opposed to any blockade on
Mauritania." Furthermore, "We consider Mauritania's problems to be
its own problems, not somebody else's... This is an internal matter
that must bring together all Mauritanians, and must not be exported
outside of the country in order to find solutions through
international organizations."
4. (U) The anti-coup "Le Renovateur" newspaper led with a
front-page headline of "The Axe Falls!" Stating that "the firmness
of the AU was stunning at a moment when many doubted their
intentions," the story went on to evoke the possibility of further
sanctions: "Eventually, the junta will have to confront the
adversity of the Americans, Africans, Europeans, and some Arab
countries."
5. (U) Secretary General Ladji Traore of the APP party (and FNDD
member) came out swinging in an interview with the "Le Renovateur"
newspaper. Saying that "Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz's days in power are
numbered," Traore went on to say Aziz and his supporters are
"extremely worried... These are sanctions targeting certain
individuals, certain military and civilian personalities."
6. (U) The "L'Eveil Hebdo" weekly newspaper took a cautious tone
regarding sanctions: "Reactions varied from one camp to another, but
what seems new is that nobody no longer doubts the disastrous
consequences of sanctions for a country like ours. The differences
lie rather in terms of their timeliness and appropriateness. In any
case, between the risks of radicalizing the junta, a possible easing
of tensions, and an improbable compromise, one at least can be sure
that the worst is yet to come."
7. (U) Ba Mamadou Alassane, president of the PLEJ party and FNDD
member, maintained that "it is the junta in power and at its head,
the general, who are solely responsible for the sanctions. These
sanctions were entirely predictable because General Mohamed Ould
Abdel Aziz never wanted to submit to the demands of the African
Union, who always called for a return to constitutional order."
8. (U) Cheikhna Haidara, president of the "Rally of Civil Society
Organizations for a United and Democratic Mauritania" (ROSCUD)
argued that "internal problems must be fixed here and not by
intervening international organizations. We are therefore against
all sanctions, no matter their nature."
9. (U) Sarr Mamadou Moctar, Executive Secretary of the human rights
organization FONADH stated that "FONADH assesses that the settlement
of this political crisis involves the return of constitutional
order. As a civil society organization, we oppose any seizure of
power by force. The junta is responsible for these sanctions
because it continues to stubbornly remain in charge of the country
against the popular will."
HANKINS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPAO MR
SUBJECT: MEDIA AND POLITICAL PARTIES REACT TO AU-IMPOSED SANCTIONS
ON MAURITANIA
REF: ADDIS ABABA 332
1. (U) Reactions among the Mauritanian media and political class to
sanctions imposed by the African Union on February 5 (Reftel) fell
predictably along existing fault lines. Pro-coup media and
political parties condemned the sanctions, while anti-coup forces
largely welcomed the targeted sanctions. The following is a sample
of the reactions.
2. (U) The pro-coup Hatem party released a communique that was
covered in the state-run "Horizons" newspaper. Hatem declared its
"complete rejection... of any sanction, partial or total, imposed
from outside." Hatem further pledged its support to the High State
Council, and stated that any external interference in the affairs of
Mauritania was an "attack on its sovereignty and its independence."
3. (U) The sometimes pro-coup, sometimes anti-coup RFD president
Ahmed Ould Daddah fell squarely into the pro-coup camp regarding
sanctions. In an interview with the "Nouakchott Info Quotidien"
newspaper, Daddah stated "We are opposed to any blockade on
Mauritania." Furthermore, "We consider Mauritania's problems to be
its own problems, not somebody else's... This is an internal matter
that must bring together all Mauritanians, and must not be exported
outside of the country in order to find solutions through
international organizations."
4. (U) The anti-coup "Le Renovateur" newspaper led with a
front-page headline of "The Axe Falls!" Stating that "the firmness
of the AU was stunning at a moment when many doubted their
intentions," the story went on to evoke the possibility of further
sanctions: "Eventually, the junta will have to confront the
adversity of the Americans, Africans, Europeans, and some Arab
countries."
5. (U) Secretary General Ladji Traore of the APP party (and FNDD
member) came out swinging in an interview with the "Le Renovateur"
newspaper. Saying that "Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz's days in power are
numbered," Traore went on to say Aziz and his supporters are
"extremely worried... These are sanctions targeting certain
individuals, certain military and civilian personalities."
6. (U) The "L'Eveil Hebdo" weekly newspaper took a cautious tone
regarding sanctions: "Reactions varied from one camp to another, but
what seems new is that nobody no longer doubts the disastrous
consequences of sanctions for a country like ours. The differences
lie rather in terms of their timeliness and appropriateness. In any
case, between the risks of radicalizing the junta, a possible easing
of tensions, and an improbable compromise, one at least can be sure
that the worst is yet to come."
7. (U) Ba Mamadou Alassane, president of the PLEJ party and FNDD
member, maintained that "it is the junta in power and at its head,
the general, who are solely responsible for the sanctions. These
sanctions were entirely predictable because General Mohamed Ould
Abdel Aziz never wanted to submit to the demands of the African
Union, who always called for a return to constitutional order."
8. (U) Cheikhna Haidara, president of the "Rally of Civil Society
Organizations for a United and Democratic Mauritania" (ROSCUD)
argued that "internal problems must be fixed here and not by
intervening international organizations. We are therefore against
all sanctions, no matter their nature."
9. (U) Sarr Mamadou Moctar, Executive Secretary of the human rights
organization FONADH stated that "FONADH assesses that the settlement
of this political crisis involves the return of constitutional
order. As a civil society organization, we oppose any seizure of
power by force. The junta is responsible for these sanctions
because it continues to stubbornly remain in charge of the country
against the popular will."
HANKINS