MAURITANIA: UNCERTAIN SUPPORT TO US INTERNATIONAL

UNCLAS NOUAKCHOTT 000640 SIPDIS SENSITIVE IO/T FOR THOMAS A. JOHNSON, LONDON FOR EST - J. WHITTLESEY, USCG FOR CG-52 AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC IMO EWWT PHSA MR UK SUBJECT: MAURITANIA: UNCERTAIN SUPPORT TO US INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION CANDIDACY REF: STATE 98012 ¶1. (SBU) In response to reftel, post delivered demarche on October 5 to the Ministry of Fishing and Maritime Economy's Director of Shipping Mohamed Lemine Ould Sidi Brahim who stated in principle the US could count on Mauritanian support for its candidacy. Nevertheless, he stressed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was responsible for making the final decision. He promised he would personally raise the matter with the Minister and would inform PolOff of the outcome. ¶2. (SBU) On October 6, PolOff met with Ambassador Mohameden Ould Daddah, director of Multilateral Cooperation for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. When asked about the likelihood of Mauritanian support for the US candidacy, a cautious Daddah stated he would study the diplomatic note and aide memoire and the ministry would decide based on these elements. He made no further comments but said the embassy should expect a response to its diplomatic note soon. HANKINS