MAURITANIA - POTUS LUNCH WITH SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L NOUAKCHOTT 000568 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/08/2014 TAGS: PREL GA MR SUBJECT: MAURITANIA - POTUS LUNCH WITH SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN HEADS OF STATE Classified By: Ambassador Mark M. Boulware for reasons 1.4 (b and d) ¶1. (C) Ambassador conveyed to Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz on September 8 President Obama's invitation to participate in a September 22 lunch of sub-Saharan African Heads of State. While the Ambassador noted we had been notified he was not planning on going to UNGA, President Aziz was clearly surprised and pleased by the invitation. He indicated he would very much like to accept the offer but he had another commitment that had prevented him from going to New York. President Aziz indicated he would see if he could rearrange his schedule in order to attend the luncheon. ¶2. (C) Comment: We expect the Presidency will make public the invitation to President Obama's luncheon in order to reinforce President Aziz' international recognition following the July 18 election. We would be surprised to see President Aziz changing his schedule at this late date; however, the Government may see participation as a quick way of building Mauritanian credibility with donor partners. End Comment BOULWARE