MAURITANIANS PULL BACK SECURITY FROM ISRAELI

C O N F I D E N T I A L NOUAKCHOTT 000183 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/06/2014 TAGS: PREL PGOV ASEC IS MR SUBJECT: MAURITANIANS PULL BACK SECURITY FROM ISRAELI EMBASSY FORCING CHANCERY EVACUATION Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Dennis Hankins for reasons 1.4 (b and d) ¶1. (C) The Israeli Ambassador and his Security Officer notified Mission morning of March 6 that host government embassy security forces have been withdrawn from the Israeli chancery leaving it open to attack or pillaging. The Israeli's are moving what they can to the Ambassador's residence which is still protected. The Ambassador is still scheduled to "leave on vacation" the evening of March 7 leaving behind his security officer. As of 11:00 local time, the Ambassador had been unable to reach regime officials to get clarification of why the chancery's security had been withdrawn. ¶2. (C) Ambassador Arbel told Charge the move is clearly seen as additional pressure to force the Israelis to close up shop and leave -- more than just having the Ambassador get out of town for awhile -- before Muammar Qadhafi arrives in town early next week. Arbel indicated he did not yet need security or logistical assistance from the U.S. although his security officer told RSO there could be a request for temporary shelter at the U.S. mission if security at the Israeli residence is deemed untenable. Arbel indicated that the Spanish Ambassador had offered unspecified assistance from his mission (which adjoins the U.S. Mission compound) if necessary. ¶3. (C) FNDD rotating President Abdel Kouddous Abeidna asked Charge whether reports of efforts to force the Israelis out of town were true. Charge confirmed as it may well effect the nature of discussions between President Abdallahi and Qahhafi when Abdallahi arrives in Tripoli this evening. Abeidna called Aziz' pressure on Israel "stupid" adding, "he might as well put out a sign saying 'Country for Rent.'" Abeidna saw the effort as clearly tied to winning over Qadhafi's support in his "mediation" role as AU president in addition to being an effort to gain cash from more radical Islamic states. HANKINS