Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NOUAKCHOTT220
2009-03-23 14:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Nouakchott
Cable title:  

PRESIDENT ABDALLAHI REACTS TO RECENT EVENTS; FEARS

Tags:  PGOV PREL KDEM MR 
pdf how-to read a cable
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RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 0567
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 NOUAKCHOTT 000220 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/23/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM MR
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT ABDALLAHI REACTS TO RECENT EVENTS; FEARS
ECONOMIC SITUATION

REF: STATE 25557

NOUAKCHOTT 00000220 001.3 OF 003


Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Dennis Hankins for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 NOUAKCHOTT 000220

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/23/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM MR
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT ABDALLAHI REACTS TO RECENT EVENTS; FEARS
ECONOMIC SITUATION

REF: STATE 25557

NOUAKCHOTT 00000220 001.3 OF 003


Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Dennis Hankins for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).


1. (C) Summary: In the Charge's fourth visit to Lemden,
President Abdallahi expressed concern for Mauritania's
economy, and the lack of international reaction to Qadhafi's
failed "mediation" efforts. He offered his side of the story
with his meeting with Qadhafi, and reiterated his belief that
his own initiative was the only way to genuinely solve the
crisis. He verified the authenticity of an audio recording
between him and two High State Council generals leaked on the
internet, and asked the USG to continue to remind its
international partners of the AU's strong position against
the coup. End summary.


2. (C) Charge and PolAsst met President Sidi Mohamed Ould
Cheikh Abdallahi, Presidential Spokesman Ahmed Samba, and
Presidential Chief of Staff Ahmed Kaber Ould Hammoudi March
22 in Lemden. This was the Charge's fourth trip to Lemden
since the coup (previous visits occurring on November 13,
December 9, and February 10). Chief of Staff Ould Hammoudi
had requested Charge make this visit. Charge briefed
Abdallahi on current USG efforts such as the demarche urging
governments to reaffirm strong AU PSC support in the wake of
Muammar Qadhafi's "mediation" (Ref A). Charge reiterated the
USG's strong position against the coup, and that the June 6
elections as currently planned by the junta were unacceptable.

--------------
Mauritania fatigue?
--------------


3. (C) Abdallahi offered his analysis of the current
interior and exterior political situation. Fearing that the
international community was "tiring of the Mauritanian
problem," Abdallahi asserted that time was working to the
junta's advantage. On the other hand, he lauded the courage
of Mauritanians in opposing the coup (singling out
specifically FNDD co-leader and PND President Abdel Koudouss
Abeidna, who he described as "very brave"). He reiterated
that despite what some might say, Mauritania is ready for
democracy, and even more important, ready to defend it.

--------------
Economic concerns
--------------



4. (C) Abdallahi expressed "dread" and "deep concern"
regarding the economic situation in Mauritania. Noting that
the budget deficit was at least 10% of GDP and projected to
rise to 20% of GDP in 2009, Abdallahi stated that the first
responsibility of the government should have been to explain
the economic crisis to the people and offer a "modicum of
reality." Instead, he said, they have not offered a single
word about the reality of the situation, with Aziz making
promise after promise with no explanation as to how he will
deliver.

--------------
Qadhafi: "You will be a hero"
--------------


5. (C) Abdallahi offered his account of the "mediation"
effort led by Qadhafi. Noting that relations between him and
Qadhafi had never been particularly close, he believed that
Qadhafi was not happy about him arriving to power through
democratic elections. This impression was confirmed in Libya
when Qadhafi asked him to resign, saying "You would be a
great hero to Mauritania." Abdallahi then replied, "No, I
would be a great traitor to Mauritania." Qadhafi then
accused him of being an agent of the U.S. During his meeting
with Qadhafi, Abdallahi observed that Qadhafi used the
language of Aziz in describing the political situation in
Mauritania, referring to "communists" and "blockages" in the
government institutions. "I don't know what kind of
relationship those two (Qadhafi and Aziz) have established,"
Abdallahi said, clearing implying that the two had arrived at

NOUAKCHOTT 00000220 002.2 OF 003


some sort of agreement. Abdallahi also expressed concern
about the reaction (or lack thereof) among the international
community following Qadhafi's "mediation" visit to
Mauritania. Note: Although Abdallahi expressed concern, he
admitted that he had not reached out either -- he had not
spoken with Arab League President Amr Moussa in at least a
month, and he had not spoken with Jean Ping since Qadhafi's
departure. End note.

--------------
Abdallahi's initiative
--------------


6. (C) Abdallahi stressed that his initiative was "the only
solution" to the crisis. "I have offered the maximum
concessions that I am going to make." Describing his own
return as a non-negotiable point, he again reiterated a
willingness to enter into any discussions regarding his or
the government's future after his return. "Power does not
interest me," he said. Abdallahi recognized that the
fall-out from Qadhafi's visit had again pushed the FNDD and
Ahmed Ould Daddah's RFD closer together and he accepted
Charge's assessment that having a united front was far better
than being divided regardless of any personal problems
between the two. He saw that early elections under an
Abdallahi-led transition would offer Ould Daddah his best
chance for fulfilling his own political ambition; however,
Abdallahi played a little bit coy in noting there would be
early elections after an eventual return IF that was the
political consensus. He also left open the idea that he
might run again.

--------------
The (BASEP) fly on the wall
--------------


7. (C) Charge asked Abdallahi about the story that appeared
on the news site Taqadoumy.com that morning regarding the
leak of a recording made the day before Abdallahi was
transferred to house arrest in Lemden in November 2008. The
recording, over two hours long, contains discussions between
Generals Mohamed Ould Hadi and Mohamed Ould Meguett, and
President Abdallahi in the Palais de Congres. Abdallahi
confirmed to Charge the authenticity of the recording.
Comment: The recording proves that contrary to what the
Minister of Interior said at the time regarding Abdallahi's
supposed pledge to stay out of politics, Abdallahi in fact
took a strong principled stand and made no such deal with the
junta. Also, the recording continues after Hadi and
Abdallahi have left the room, indicating that the
presidential security battalion (BASEP) bugged the room,
rather than Hadi personally recording the encounter. End
comment.


8. (C) Abdallahi's son stated before the meeting that Aziz
is a bit enamored of technology and likes to record
everything. Furthermore, Abdallahi's son claimed that there
is a recording of Daddah and Aziz that, if released, would be
very damaging to Daddah. In the recording, Daddah supposedly
offers himself up to Aziz as the military's candidate in
upcoming presidential elections -- something he has
repeatedly criticized Abdallahi for supposedly doing in the
2007 presidential elections.

--------------
Abdallahi's concerns
--------------


9. (C) The AU after Qadhafi: Charge noted that we were
getting mixed responses from African members of the AU PSC in
advance of this week's meeting on Mauritania. Abdallahi said
his representative in Addis Ababa was getting similar mixed
signals with a particular concern about the position being
taken by Benin which holds the rotating presidency. The
President sensed the Libyans had been pressuring those
countries that benefit from Libyan largess to back Qadhafi's
statements in Nouakchott in support of the junta's agenda.
Abdallahi was guardedly optimistic, however, that the
built-in dislike some members had for Qadhafi would play in

NOUAKCHOTT 00000220 003.2 OF 003


his favor with the PSC again restating its pre-Qadhafi visit
position on sanctions.


10. (C) Lack of Sanctions: Abdallahi asked Charge about
progress on targeted economic sanctions. Charge noted that
discussions were ongoing, but given the change in USG
administration in January, the extensive procedural
requirements to approve our list was not yet complete.
Abdallahi urged quick action since targeted financial
sanctions would have the most significant effect on the
regime -- particularly its business backers. Abdallahi also
asked that the USG continue to remind others in the
international community of the AU's responsibilities and
strong anti-coup positions taken before Qadhafi assumed the
presidency.


11. (C) Always the French: Abdallahi also asked about the
supposed new "Kouchner proposal." (Note: Several
Mauritanian news outlets have reported that French Foreign
Minister Bernard Kouchner will unveil a new proposal March 24
to solve the crisis. Such a proposal would entail Abdallahi
coming back for two months to oversee new elections. End
note.) Charge said he had no information about such a
proposal. Abdallahi was clearly cool to the idea of the
proposal, noting that it would be in essence "an acceptance
of the coup." (Comment: The Kouchner "proposal" was a
one-line remark in a lengthy interview published in Jeune
Afrique stating that the best compromise would be for Aziz to
resign and Abdallahi to come back for only two months to
manage the new elections. This does not appear a formal
French proposal. End Comment).

--------------
Comment
--------------


12. (C) There was nothing significantly new in Abdallahi's
analysis of the situation. Abdallahi told Charge, "I'm
always happy to meet you... it seems lots of people are happy
to see you," in apparent reference to recent meetings with
Ely Vall and Ahmed Ould Daddah. It is possible the main
motive in inviting Charge was to get the press statement out
that the Americans are still with the President. Abdallahi
appeared concerned about the impact of the Qadhafi visit on
international solidarity against the coup noting that nobody
by the Francophonie's Dioff had openly criticized Qadhafi's
"mediation."

HANKINS