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