AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH PRIME MINISTER LAGHDAF -

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NOUAKCHOTT 000546 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/24/2014 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PHUM MR SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH PRIME MINISTER LAGHDAF - "U.S. RELATIONSHIP MORE IMPORTANT TAN WITH ANY OTHER COUNTRY" Classified By: Ambassador Mark M. Boulware for reasons 1.4 (b and d) ¶1. (C) Summary: The Mauritanian relationship with the U.S. has "turned a page," and the newly (re)appointed Prime Minister looks forward to a broad and strong revitalized relationship. Counter-terrorism is of extreme importance -- the withdrawal of Peace Corps following the killing of an American citizen and the collapse of the tourism industry following the 2007 killing of French tourists demonstrate the tremendous cost for Mauritania of AQIM's isolated attacks. The Mauritanians want to be recognized for leadership on human rights and democracy so, after a "tumultuous year" of political crisis, the Prime Minister wants to see concrete action in addressing the legacy of slavery. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Turning the Page: Ambassador met August 24 with newly-appointed Prime Minister Moulaye Ould Mohame Laghdaf to discuss U.S. bilateral relations. Laghdaf was previously Prime Minister of the post-Dakar Accords Government of National Unity and, before that, the "Prime Minister" under the post-August 2008 coup military regime. Both the Ambassador and Prime Minister noted that the return to democratic legitimacy following the July 18 elections would allow us to "turn the page" on the period of Mauritania's political crisis. Laghdaf thanked the U.S. for its key role through the Dakar negotiations and implementation and added his respect for the principled position the U.S. had taken following the August coup. Laghdaf saw the past year as "lost time" in U.S. - Mauritanian relations and hoped to reinvigorate the relationship now. Laghdaf added, "The role of the U.S. is essential, and no one but the U.S. can help Mauritania as much as the U.S." ¶3. (C) The Terrorist Threat: Laghdaf raised terrorism as the greatest immediate priority saying "Mauritania has become the key theater for terrorism in the region." He cited the openness of Mauritania's extensive borders as well as internal political instability as increasing Mauritania's vulnerability. At the same time, he noted that the lack of regional/ethnic divisions and the strong moderate foundations of Mauritanian Islam are strong counterweights. He forwarded his condolences for the AQIM murder of American Christopher Leggett on June 23. The Ambassador thanked Laghdaf for the Government's assistance to the Leggett family and for cooperation in the follow-on investigation. The Prime Minister saw that the cost of these isolated attacks can be great for Mauritania: the Leggett killing was directly linked to the suspension of the Peace Corps program and the Decemebr 2007 killing of French tourists near Aleg had nearly destroyed Mauritania's promising tourism trade. Laghdaf told the Ambassador the GIRM had a high priority on building the counter-terrorism effectiveness of the country's security services and thanked the Ambassador for the assistance already received. Laghdaf strongly agreed with the Ambassador's observation that counter-terrorism called not just for a policing strategy to counter the AQIM threat, but also for a deeper social-policy strategy to address the causes of increased radicalization. The Ambassador praised an earlier speech by President Aziz noting the internal radicalization threat and Laghdaf told the Ambassador the two countries are in agreement on the need for a two-track strategy. He pledged GIRM commitment to working with the U.S. in addressing these issues. ¶4. (C) Slavery: The Ambassador briefed the Prime Minister on the potential negative implications of Mauritania's slide to Tier III status in the annual Trafficking In Persons report for lack of progress in addressing the country's lingering practices of slavery. Laghdaf said he hoped Mauritania could become a respected country in terms of its respect for human rights and democratic practices. He had hoped to address the slavery issue more directly in the past but noted the "tumultuous year" following the coup had offered little possibility of advancing policy. He confirmed Ambassador's observation that the appointment of Black Moors in the two senior Ministerial posts of Justice and Interior was meant as a signal of the GIRM's determination to go beyond the legal prohibition of slave-like practices to implementation on a legal and social front. The Prime Minister said his government was open to discussing a TIP strategy with the U.S. ¶5. (C) Comment: Because we had limited engagement with the NOUAKCHOTT 00000546 002 OF 002 governing authorities following the coup, we have only met once with the Prime Minister during his time in the Government of National Unity. Laghdaf is far from flamboyant but is credited with being a decent manager even as Aziz calls all the major shots. Under Mauritania's presidential system of government the prime minister is meant to be the implementer -- not the leader. End Comment BOULWARE