AMBASSADOR'S CALL ON PRESIDENT-ELECT AZIZ

C O N F I D E N T I A L NOUAKCHOTT 000496


E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/28/2014
TAGS: PGOV PREL MR
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S CALL ON PRESIDENT-ELECT AZIZ

Classified By: Ambassador Mark M. Boulware for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: Ambassador Boulware called on
President-elect Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz to say that the USG
accepted the Constitutional Council,s determination that
Aziz had been elected and was not persuaded that opposition
complaints of major electoral irregularities were
convincingly supported. The President-elect said he would
treat the opposition respectfully and that his priorities
were those he outlined in the election * fighting poverty,
corruption and extremism. Ambassador said these were
initiatives we would seek to support. End summary.


2. (C) The evening of July 26, Ambassador Boulware called on
President-elect Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz. Ambassador recalled
that the USG had earlier stated that it would await the
decision of Mauritania,s Constitutional Council before
taking a position on the presidential election and that we
accepted the Council,s July 23 determination that Aziz had
been elected. Ambassador observed that although the USG was
mindful of opposition complaints of electoral irregularities,
these were not convincingly supported by either the findings
of international observers or of party representatives and
other national officials present at polling places.
Ambassador nonetheless urged forbearance in dealing with the
opposition in order to ease tensions and promote
reconciliation. President-elect Aziz assured the Ambassador
that he had no desire to be drawn into conflict with the
opposition that could only detract from addressing other
urgent priorities.


3. (C) Aziz thanked Ambassador Boulware for the visit and
for sharing the USG,s conclusions about the elections. He
said that he recognized that the USG,s opposition to the
coup d,Qtat of August 2008 had been a principled position
based on a U.S. view of the Abdallahi's governments'
performance and commitment to democracy that Aziz and others
had not shared. He hoped that this election would permit the
resumption of more normal relations. Aziz noted that for his
part he was ready to cooperate across the board. Ambassador
said that the USG did look forward to working with his
government to assist Mauritania in facing the many challenges
before it. He noted that a public statement to that effect
should be forthcoming but also cautioned that addressing the
prohibition on economic assistance could take some time as it
involved Presidential action.


4. (C) The President-elect expressed his personal
condolences for the murder of AmCit Christopher Leggett
observing that he remained absolutely committed to
confronting Al Qaeda and hoped that security cooperation
could continue and even expand. Ambassador expressed thanks
for the condolences and noted that the GIRM,s cooperation in
the wake of the murder had been very welcome. Ambassador
agreed that there was growing concern with the security
situation in the region and not only by the USG. He said
that we remained very interested in security cooperation and
would be open to increasing our engagement on that front.


5. (C) Aziz said that he was aware that effectively
responding to the threat of extremism would require more than
military force alone. He said that he was determined to live
up to the engagements he had made during the campaign to
address public corruption, to fight poverty and to offer
Mauritania,s youth hope for the future. Aziz claimed that
he was victorious because he convincingly articulated these
themes and average Mauritanians responded. He said that his
election marked a generational change and that the old guard
that had dominated Mauritanian politics for decades was
passing from the scene. Nonetheless, he said that he would
treat opposition figures with due respect. Ambassador
replied that the priorities he identified were also areas of
interest to Mauritania,s development partners including the
USG and that we would be prepared look for ways to support
serious efforts by the GIRM to tackle these challenges.


6. (C) Comment: Relaxed and at ease in his temporary
office in a commercial building, Aziz came across as sincere
and open. He is saying the kinds of things MauritaniaQ,s
traditional development partners want to hear but skepticism
remains. French Ambassador Vandepoorter, who called on Aziz
the same day, had told Ambassador that he would deliver a
congratulatory letter from President Sarkosy that was fairly
directive in nature. While Aziz, electoral victory will
allow normal relations with Mauritania, rebuilding donor
enthusiasm for its democracy project will likely take time
and require convincing action on the GIRM,s part.


BOULWARE