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

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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