GAZA: MAURITANIANS INDIRECTLY LINK RECALL OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L NOUAKCHOTT 000007

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/05/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAL ASEC IS MR
SUBJECT: GAZA: MAURITANIANS INDIRECTLY LINK RECALL OF
AMBASSADOR FROM ISRAEL TO U.S. PRESSURE ON REGIME

REF: NOUAKCHOTT 6

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Dennis Hankins for reasons 1.4 (b and
d)


1. (C) Israeli Ambassador Michael Arbel confirmed with junta
Foreign Minister Mohamed Mahmoud Ould Mohamedou the
Mauritanian authorities have recalled their Ambassador in
Israel "for consultations" in response to tremendous domestic
and foreign pressure. Ould Mohamedou told the Ambassador
that Mauritania "remains committed to the relationship" and
assured him that "we don't want to do any more." That said,
the "Foreign Minister" explained that several days of student
pressure coupled with extreme parliamentary pressure
(comment: coming at the same time the junta is trying to get
parliament and the "National Dialogue on Democracy" to bless
a "roadmap to democracy" that would effectively legitimate
the August coup d'etat. end comment). When asked how long
the "consultations" would take, Ould Mohamedou said "until
the pressure dies down." Mission MFA contacts also confirmed
with Mission that the withdrawal of their ambassador was
"only for consultations" as a "sign of protest over the
situation in Gaza" and that the ambassador would likely
return as soon as tensions were reduced.


2. (C) Immediately following the discussion of the withdrawal
of the Ambassador, Ould Mohamedou launched into a discussion
of the difficulties the regime was having "in re-establishing
democracy" because of the extreme pressure from the United
States. He told the Israeli Ambassador, "we really need
Israel to put pressure on the U.S. to stop putting pressure
on us," indicating that such assistance from Israel would
help the regime to demonstrate that Mauritania gains some
tangible benefit from their relationship with Tel Aviv.
Arbel stressed that the "Foreign Minister" never directly
linked Israeli pressure on the U.S. with continued relations
with Israel but the Israeli added, "the implication was
pretty obvious."


3. (C) Arbel told Charge Israel has "absolutely no intention"
to pressure the U.S. over our condemnation of the regime.
Arbel is being directed to sit tight and has been given press
guidance regretting the Mauritanian decision but voicing
confidence in the long-term relationship.


4. (C) Comment: Although the regime had repeatedly told the
Israeli's that they are Tel Aviv's "best option" in
Mauritania, the recall of their ambassador comes as no
surprise. The strategic interests for Mauritania in
maintaining ties with Israel have little impact with the
majority of Mauritanians who oppose diplomatic ties. The
Mauritanians see their relationship with Israel as being
instrumental in winning and maintaining U.S. and other
Western support. Consistent U.S. condemnation of the coup
makes them reconsider that assumption. As the regime tries
to gain popular and political support for the coup d'etat,
the continued relationship with Israel is a tempting
bargaining chip that has reportedly led part of the anti-coup
FNDD coalition to offer acceptance of the coup for severed
ties with Tel Aviv. Finally, as financial resources for the
regime dwindle, Libya offers an economic lifeline -- but one
predicated on cutting ties. End Comment.
HANKINS