Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NOUAKCHOTT134
2009-02-16 16:03:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Nouakchott
Cable title:
MAURITANIA: LETTER FROM PRESIDENT ABDALLAHI TO
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UNCLAS NOUAKCHOTT 000134
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL OPDC MR
SUBJECT: MAURITANIA: LETTER FROM PRESIDENT ABDALLAHI TO
PRESIDENT OBAMA URGING SECURITY COUNCIL SUPPORT OF
SANCTIONS AGAINST THE JUNTA
UNCLAS NOUAKCHOTT 000134
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL OPDC MR
SUBJECT: MAURITANIA: LETTER FROM PRESIDENT ABDALLAHI TO
PRESIDENT OBAMA URGING SECURITY COUNCIL SUPPORT OF
SANCTIONS AGAINST THE JUNTA
¶1. (SBU) On Sunday, February 15, the Charge was asked to
meet with the Chief of Staff of the Abdahllahi
administration. The Chief of Staff, Ahmed Kaber Ould
Hammoudi, passed the letter translated below from President
Abdahllahi to President Obama. A scanned copy of the letter
will be sent to AF/W. In the letter Abdallahi refers to the
AU's recently adopted targeted sactions against members of
the junta and their key supporters and refers to the AU's
intent to bring the issue before the United Nations Security
Council. President Abdahllahi asks for president Obama's
support for targeted sanctions against the regime of General
Abdel Aziz and its supporters.
¶2. (SBU) The following text is an English translation of
the original French:
BEGIN TEXT
Mr. President,
As you know, Mauritania experienced a military coup on 6
August 2008. This coup was directed against a President of
the Republic elected for a 5-year term on 25 Marach 2007 in
peaceful and transparent conditions that were universally
welcomed by the international community.
For over six months, the military junta has been deaf to the
appeals of the international community calling for the
restoration of the constitutional order. Some countries,
such as the United States and France, have already
discontinued cooperation programs with Mauritania, and
international organizations such as the International
Monetary Fund and Workd Bank have suspended their operations.
The African Union has recently adopted targeted sanctions
agaisnt members of the junta and those civilians who have
assisted in maintaining the junta's illegal rule.
The Security Council will most likely be called upon by the
African Union to decide on sanctions in order to grant them a
universal character. As your country is a member of this
honorable institution, I am writing to ask for your support
for this request.
In doing so, you will contribute to the triumph of freedom
and democracy and help end unconstitutional changes of
government, particularly in Africa, where they prevent the
emancipation of people and their progress.
Please accept, Sir, the assurances of my highest
consideration.
Sidi Mohamed Ould CHEIKH ABDALLAHI
END TEXT
HANKINS