MAURITANIA -- ENDING U.S. SANCTIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NOUAKCHOTT 000492 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/26/2014 TAGS: PREL ASEC MASS EAID CVIS MR SUBJECT: MAURITANIA -- ENDING U.S. SANCTIONS REF: A. STATE 128432 ¶B. STATE 128436 ¶C. STATE 128439 Classified By: Ambassador Mark M. Boulware for reasons 1.4 (b and d) ¶1. (C) In light of the certification of Mauritania's July 18 presidential elections, Post recommends the discontinuation of the legislative and policy-driven sanctions imposed on Mauritania following the August 6, 2008, coup d'etat. Post believes that Mauritania has returned to constitutional legitimacy as required by law and policy. ¶2. (C) An "Asterisk" Democracy: The conclusion of all Mauritanian constitutional bodies and international observer groups, as well as our own estimation, is that the July 18 presidential elections met all the technical standards needed to be found reasonably free and fair. While many will continue to have concerns over the subjective democratic quality of the overall process -- looking particularly at Aziz' ability to use money and the power of incumbency to sway voters, Mauritania is now technically back in the community of democracies. We note that most western institutions, including the European Commission, the United Nations and even the official French position, are coming out with statements recognizing Mauritania's democracy; however, their common calls for good governance and constructive engagement with the opposition imply a common understanding that there remains an asterisk next to Mauritania's name on that list of democracies. ¶3. (C) U.S. Engagement: Post will be reviewing its MSP on July 27 in light of the new political and security environment posed by the July 18 elections and the June 23 AQIM murder of a private Amcit in Mauritania. Security assistance, including new initiatives in the police and justice sectors, will clearly be called for. Anti-Extremism, democratization, humanitarian, and human rights activities will take on even greater significance. Specific recommendations will be forwarded via SEPTEL. ¶4. (SBU) Section 608: Post believes that, upon President-Elect Aziz' inauguration (which we understand will take place August 5) the necessary conditions of Section 608 will have been met to allow the President to reach a determination and certify to Congress that a democratically elected government has taken office subsequent to a coup d'etat. Upon that notification, development assistance programs closed under this provision will again become feasible. In the Mauritania context, that affects primarily the USAID TSCTP Anti-Extremism program, State PD TSCTP program and the ACOTA peacekeeping training program (for ACOTA subject to a confirmation of continued Mauritanian interest and an eligibility review on its merits). ¶5. (SBU) Travel Sanctions: The foreign policy objective sought in limiting personal travel of those responsible for or benefiting from the coup has been achieved. Continuance of the INA 212(a)(3)(c) ineligibility cited in REFTELS A-C visa revocation letters would no longer be in the U.S. interest. Post recommends that Department negate those revocations and authorize Post to issue replacement visas as appropriate. Post will no longer refer cases to the Department for an Advisory Opinion under this provision. ¶6. (C) Mil-to-Mil engagement: Particularly in light of the June 23 AQIM killing of an AMCIT, Post believes military training and equipment activities should be renewed subject to Post MSP review and an assessment of current Mauritanian needs and priorities. Mauritanians should again be invited for DOD seminars and exercises including NESA, CMI and FLINTLOCK. Creeksand can again be available for non-emergency operations in Mauritania. ¶7. (SBU) AGOA and MCC: We would recommend that Mauritanian eligibility be reinstated with a decision whether or not to resume activities being made on its merits at the next annual review. NOUAKCHOTT 00000492 002 OF 002 BOULWARE