Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NOUAKCHOTT46
2009-01-15 13:37:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Nouakchott
Cable title:  

IRAN URGES/ENTICES MAURITANIA TO CUT TIES WITH

Tags:  PREL PGOV KPAL IR MR 
pdf how-to read a cable
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R 151337Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8026
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 0429
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0409
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0747
RUEHPG/AMEMBASSY PRAGUE 0041
RHMFISS/COMSOCEUR VAIHINGEN GE
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0855
RUEHDS/USMISSION USAU ADDIS ABABA
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 0474
C O N F I D E N T I A L NOUAKCHOTT 000046 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/15/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAL IR MR
SUBJECT: IRAN URGES/ENTICES MAURITANIA TO CUT TIES WITH
ISRAEL

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 000046

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/15/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAL IR MR
SUBJECT: IRAN URGES/ENTICES MAURITANIA TO CUT TIES WITH
ISRAEL

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


1. (SBU) Iranian Vice President Mohamed Ridha Rahimi came
to Nouakchott January 13 and met with military junta leader
General Aziz to discuss primarily Gaza. Press reports in the
official media said the Iranian welcomed the Mauritanian
decision to recall their ambassador. Independent press and
LES employees report that the Iranians offered financial
support in order to have Aziz cut ties.


2. (C) The Mauritanian delegation that met with the Iranian
Vice President curiously included Ambassador Ahmed Deya, MFA
Director for American and Asian Affairs, who has no policy
connection to Gaza or Iran. It could be that he was just
filling in, but perhaps there was a side conversation on
policies related to the U.S. Iran currently has no
diplomatic representation in Mauritania.


3. (C) Comment: The Israelis are still being assured that
General Aziz does not intend to sever ties despite intense
domestic and external pressure. Local diplomats believe
that if Aziz does cut ties it will be because of the
internal political situation and not strictly because of
the Gaza crisis. The Spanish Ambassador, for instance, saw
the Israeli card as something Aziz will use if the European
Union decides to cut off assistance following the August 8
coup d'etat (that decision should come o/a February 20).
For the Spaniard, "cutting aid will not hurt the regime.
If Aziz cuts relations with Israel he will find all the
financial support he needs from the Arabs." Significantly,
one of the arguments raised by the military on why they
launched the coup against President Abdallahi was that he
was getting too cozy with Libya and the Iranians. As the
regime continues to be condemned by the international
community, we see Aziz increasing his contacts with
Tripoli and Teheran. End Comment
HANKINS