MAURITANIA: POLITICAL ROUNDUP FOR THE WEEK OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NOUAKCHOTT 000164

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF-BOULWARE; AF/W FOR DENNISON/.HEFLIN; USAU FOR
MAYBURY; USEU FOR FRANCIS; PARIS FOR KANEDA; LISBON FOR
BALLARD; MADRID FOR DUNCAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/26/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPAO PROP MR
SUBJECT: MAURITANIA: POLITICAL ROUNDUP FOR THE WEEK OF
FEBRUARY 22-26

REF: A. NOUAKCHOTT 161

B. NOUAKCHOTT 156

C. 08 NOUAKCHOTT 777

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires a.i. Cornelius Walsh for reasons 1.4 (
b) and (d).


1. (SBU) Summary: For the week of February 22-26, first
reactions to the Paris Consultative Committee meeting
emerged. Libya began a mediation blitz, sending a delegation
to Mauritania, and receiving a visit by General Aziz in
Tripoli. Muammar Qadhafi may also visit Mauritania for the
Prophet's birthday. Rumors of tensions within the armed
forces and the High State Council continue, while the Indian
ambassador presented his credentials to General Aziz. End
summary.


2. (SBU) Paris Consultative Committee meeting: Several
political parties and media outlets offered reactions to the
February 20 OIF-led Consultative Committee meeting in Paris
(Ref A),where the Mauritanian issue was passed off to the
African Union and Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi.


3. (C) Follow-up to President Abdallahi's son: As related
in last week's political roundup (Ref B),President
Abdallahi's son was taken by the Gendarmerie from his native
village of Lemden (where he has been staying with his father)
to Nouakchott to appear before a Parliamentary investigative
committee. Subsequent to that cable, he made no statements
to the committee, was released that evening, and returned to
Lemden. LES have confirmed through direct contact that he is
still in Lemden.


4. (U) Libya mediation blitz: This week saw a flurry of
activity from the Libyans. A Libyan delegation visited
Mauritania early in the week, meeting with Aziz and visiting
several locations in the interior of the country. The site
visits were rumored to be advance scouting preparations for a
possible visit by Qadhafi on the occasion of the Prophet's
birthday (o/a March 9). Press reports have also reported on
the possibility of a visit by Qadhafi to Senegal, where Aziz
would meet him and Senegalese President Wade.


5. (U) Libya mediation blitz continued: Aziz made a visit
to Tripoli February 25 and met with Qadhafi. There has been
no official announcement as to the substance of their
discussions. However, in contrast to the state-run media's
usual lack of coverage on any aspect relating to the
political crisis, Aziz's visit to Tripoli received top
billing on TV Mauritania's nightly news broadcast and front
page coverage on the "Horizons" newspaper. Other political
actors scheduled to travel to Tripoli in the near future are
Ahmed Ould Daddah and President Abdallahi (or fierce
anti-coup activist and National Assembly President Messaoud
Ould Boulkheir as his representative).


6. (SBU) Possible reshuffling at the High State Council:
Several media outlets reported about a possible upcoming
reshuffle within the High State Council to pave the way for
Aziz's resignation 45 days before elections. Supposedly
junta #2 General Ghazouani will lead the HSC in Aziz's
absence, acting as the good steward until Aziz wins the
elections.


7. (C) Tension within the armed forces and security
services: Rumors continue to appear (often on anti-coup web
sites) of supposed dissension within the rank and file of the
military, and within the High State Council itself. One
frequently mentioned animosity is supposedly between junta #2
General Ghazouani and junta #3 General Hadi. Furthermore,
one media outlet reported that a young officer with ties to
anti-coup partisans was arrested "in complete secrecy."
Comment: The senior RSO LES, who has extensive contacts in

NOUAKCHOTT 00000164 002 OF 002


the security services and armed forces, has been unable to
confirm the story. Reports of dissension and friction are
not new (Ref C),and while there is almost certainly tension
within the military and security services, the HSC continues
to maintain a firm grip. End comment.


8. (SBU) Indian ambassador presents credentials to Aziz:
The state-run "Horizons" newspaper reported on its front page
that the new Indian Ambassador to Mauritania presented his
credentials to General Aziz February 24. Comment: India
does not have an embassy in Nouakchott at this time.
However, India's presentation of credentials to Aziz marks
the third time since the coup (after Thailand and Sudan) that
a country has done so. Mauritanian state-run media always
make sure to publicize any meetings with foreign ambassadors
(even ambassadors who are unsympathetic to the junta),and
milk each meeting for its propaganda value in portraying
Aziz's supposed international standing and legitimacy. End
comment.
WALSH