Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NOUAKCHOTT31
2009-01-12 17:19:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Nouakchott
Cable title:
"NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON DEMOCRACY" RESULTS APPROVED
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C O N F I D E N T I A L NOUAKCHOTT 000031
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/12/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL MR
SUBJECT: "NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON DEMOCRACY" RESULTS APPROVED
BY NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND SENATE
REF: NOUAKCHOTT 16
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 NOUAKCHOTT 000031
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/12/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL MR
SUBJECT: "NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON DEMOCRACY" RESULTS APPROVED
BY NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND SENATE
REF: NOUAKCHOTT 16
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Dennis Hankins for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).
1. (SBU) On January 9 the junta-designated "Prime Minister"
Moulaye Ould Mohamed Laghdaf presided over a special session
at the National Assembly where the final report of the
"National Dialogue on Democracy" was officially approved.
Seventy of the 95 parliamentarians were present, with 63
members approving the final report, 6 members abstaining, and
1 member opposing (a member from Ahmed Ould Daddah's RFD
party). The Senate also approved the final report in a
separate session.
2. (SBU) In his speech to the National Assembly, Laghdaf
praised the "National Dialogue on Democracy," citing the
diversity of participants and the atmosphere of "liberty and
tolerance" that surrounded the discussions. He then embarked
on a long-winded summary of the various recommendations and
proposals put forth during the "dialogue," particularly with
respect to organizing elections and defining the electoral
calendar. He mentioned the proposed dates of May 30 and June
13 for the first and second rounds of presidential elections,
but did not commit to these dates. Only at the end of his
speech did he finally put forth the following three points as
the "road map" for upcoming elections:
- Establish a "credible" national electoral commission.
- Determine eligibility requirements for presidential
candidates.
- Organize "free and transparent" presidential elections
within six months.
He offered no further details on these points, saying only
that he was submitting them to parliamentarians for their
"consideration and approval."
3. (C) Comment: The National Assembly and Senate approvals
for the "National Dialogue" were largely a rubber-stamp
affair, given that pro-coup Parliamentarians have a majority
in both the National Assembly and Senate. Because the final
recommendations of the "National Dialogue" were non-binding
and vague to begin with (Reftel),the High State Council had
a free hand to draw whatever conclusions it wanted from the
consultations. Further modifications to the "road map"
proposed by Laghdaf are equally likely, if they serve the
HSC's best interests. End comment.
HANKINS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/12/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL MR
SUBJECT: "NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON DEMOCRACY" RESULTS APPROVED
BY NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND SENATE
REF: NOUAKCHOTT 16
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Dennis Hankins for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).
1. (SBU) On January 9 the junta-designated "Prime Minister"
Moulaye Ould Mohamed Laghdaf presided over a special session
at the National Assembly where the final report of the
"National Dialogue on Democracy" was officially approved.
Seventy of the 95 parliamentarians were present, with 63
members approving the final report, 6 members abstaining, and
1 member opposing (a member from Ahmed Ould Daddah's RFD
party). The Senate also approved the final report in a
separate session.
2. (SBU) In his speech to the National Assembly, Laghdaf
praised the "National Dialogue on Democracy," citing the
diversity of participants and the atmosphere of "liberty and
tolerance" that surrounded the discussions. He then embarked
on a long-winded summary of the various recommendations and
proposals put forth during the "dialogue," particularly with
respect to organizing elections and defining the electoral
calendar. He mentioned the proposed dates of May 30 and June
13 for the first and second rounds of presidential elections,
but did not commit to these dates. Only at the end of his
speech did he finally put forth the following three points as
the "road map" for upcoming elections:
- Establish a "credible" national electoral commission.
- Determine eligibility requirements for presidential
candidates.
- Organize "free and transparent" presidential elections
within six months.
He offered no further details on these points, saying only
that he was submitting them to parliamentarians for their
"consideration and approval."
3. (C) Comment: The National Assembly and Senate approvals
for the "National Dialogue" were largely a rubber-stamp
affair, given that pro-coup Parliamentarians have a majority
in both the National Assembly and Senate. Because the final
recommendations of the "National Dialogue" were non-binding
and vague to begin with (Reftel),the High State Council had
a free hand to draw whatever conclusions it wanted from the
consultations. Further modifications to the "road map"
proposed by Laghdaf are equally likely, if they serve the
HSC's best interests. End comment.
HANKINS