THE "FIRST" FEMALE ARAB MUSLIM FOREIGN MINISTER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NOUAKCHOTT 000515 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/17/2014 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM EAID KWMN MR IS SUBJECT: THE "FIRST" FEMALE ARAB MUSLIM FOREIGN MINISTER Classified By: Ambassador Mark M. Boulware for reasons 1.4 (b and d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Newly appointed Foreign Minister Naha Mint Mouknass emphasized the importance for women in the Arab world that she not fail as the "first Arab Muslim" foreign minister. She welcomed renewed cooperation with the United States in all areas of counter-terrorism but emphasized development assistance as well -- seeing both related in attacking poverty and ignorance as the root causes of Mauritania's embryonic extremism. She provided a diplomatic non-answer on the future on Mauritanian relations with Israel. End Summary ¶2. (C) U.S. Re-engagement: Ambassador met August 16 with newly appointed Foreign Minister Naha Mint Mouknass. The Ambassador noted that the period following the August 2008 coup had been a "lost year" in U.S.-Mauritanian bilateral relations -- even though essential humanitarian and security programs had continued. The Ambassador said the U.S. was looking at how best to re-engage with Mauritania with the immediate priority being counterterrorism cooperation to be addressed at a September 2-3 in-country conference including the State Department, AFRICOM, USAID and the FBI. The conference would address counterterrorism in its broad context which seemed consistent with recent public comments by President Aziz saying Mauritania would have to address the social issues that foster radicalization. The Ambassador thanked the Minister for the GIRM's ongoing efforts to ensure the security of the U.S. Mission and of the American private community. The Ambassador highlighted the need to address strategies against slavery and trafficking in light of Mauritania's slide into TIP Tier III status. ¶3. (C) An Example For Arab Women: Mouknass spoke openly about the importance of her appointment as the first female Muslim Arab foreign minister (Comment: One can debate the point as both Mali and Niger have had female foreign ministers. Kazakhstan is reportedly the first Muslim country with a woman in charge of diplomacy. Suffice it to say the appointment is unique in the Maghreb and through most of NEA (where only Israel and Turkey have appointed women). End Comment). She recognized the appointment would be welcome by many but rejected by some. She welcomed the chance to join the Secretary in the select group of female foreign ministers stating clearly she hoped that would facilitate rebuilding the GIRM's ties with the West in the aftermath of the coup. While not elaborating, her concern about detractors was likely both external (concern about some of the more conservative Muslim states) and internal (given that two prominent Imam's had addressed her appointment in Friday prayers -- one raising concern that her position would require her to meet alone with men who were not of her family and another saying the appropriate role of women was to "take care of their family"). She suggested that rebuilding ties with the U.S. and otherwise being effective as a foreign minister would be important for other Arab women -- whereas failing in her job could be a major setback for women's progress in the region. ¶4. (C) Counterterrorism Cooperation: Mouknass welcomed the Ambassador's opening remarks and said the U.S. views on counterterrorism aligned well with the GIRM's approach. Taking the opportunity first to convey her personal condolences for the June 23 killing by AQIM of American citizen Christopher Leggett, she highlighted the risk by radicalization for Mauritania. She shared her shock that a 20-year-old Mauritanian had become the country's first suicide bomber in the June 8 attack outside the French embassy. She cited poverty and ignorance as the key drivers of extremism saying Mauritania needed a sort of "chemotherapy" to eradicate the worse threat and the steer Mauritania's youth away from extremism. Mouknass told the Ambassador the GIRM was open to "working with the U.S. on all strategies to eliminate terrorism." ¶5. (C) TIP Tier III Status: The Ambassador told Mouknass that the lack of progress in addressing the lingering legacy of slavery in Mauritania had resulted in it being classified as a Tier III country -- a status that could lead to sanctions. The Ambassador said developing a strategy to NOUAKCHOTT 00000515 002 OF 002 address the problem would be a high priority in our initial relationship. Mouknass regretted the fall in Mauritania's TIP status and saw the problem, as that of radicalization, tied to poverty and ignorance. Noting that slavery had been outlawed several times, Mouknass contended that in the face of poverty, many White Moors still try to exert their dominance of Black Moors. She told the Ambassador the GIRM would be open to working with the U.S. to come up with concrete proposals to address the issue. ¶6. (C) Development: Mouknass asked whether Mauritania's MCC status would be reactivated with the installation of the new government. The Ambassador noted that, unfortunately, that program had been canceled and that Mauritania would likely not be reconsidered until some time next year -- and even then only on the basis of the MCC selection criteria. The Ambassador noted that we hoped to have USAID return to Nouakchott -- initially as part of our counter-extremism program -- and that we expected to begin discussions soon on a USAID agreement with the GIRM to cover areas of future engagement. ¶7. (C) Israel: The Ambassador noted that Mauritania's relations with Israel had always provided Mauritania a stronger position in U.S. eyes and a greater voice in international fora than its size and strategic value would otherwise warrant. As in the value Mauritania will see in breaking new ground by naming a female foreign minister, the resumption of relations with Israel would have a positive effect on U.S. and Western relations. Mouknass stressed her conviction that problems are best resolved through "dialogue and patience" rather than through violence. She danced around the question of whether Mauritania was planning to "unfreeze" its relations with Tel Aviv. Noting that the policy would be decided by President Aziz, she said relations would be considered within the context of Mauritania interests and in the framework of Mauritania's external relations and domestic concerns. Adding that the issue had to be dealt with "prudence, patience, and dexterity," she suggested that the U.S. would have a significant influence on the issue. (Comment: Through her cryptic comments, we sensed the traditional Mauritanian linkage between Mauritanian relations with the U.S. and those with Israel -- the more robust bilateral relations with Washington, the better the chance of relations with Israel. End Comment). ¶8. (C) Comment: While inexperienced with formal diplomacy, Mouknass is known to have extensive international contacts through her father and in her own right. Her own emphasis on her being the first Arab Muslim foreign minister comes across as a bit gimmicky -- a way of scoring points with the West. Nonetheless, just about anyone would have been better than her predecessor. In our first meeting, she came across as affable, intelligent and sincere in wanting to succeed in her high-profile position. A former International Visitor Program participant, she spoke well of the U.S. She has been a frequent and close contact of past U.S. ambassadors although that relationship has been less active in recent years. End Comment. BOULWARE