Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NOUAKCHOTT72
2009-01-22 13:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Nouakchott
Cable title:
EAC MEETS TO DISCUSS PRESIDENT ABDALLAHI'S
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C O N F I D E N T I A L NOUAKCHOTT 000072
SIPDIS
DS/IP/RD, DS/IP/AF, AF/W
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/21/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV ASEC CASC MR
SUBJECT: EAC MEETS TO DISCUSS PRESIDENT ABDALLAHI'S
TROUBLED RETURN
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Dennis Hankins for
reasons 1.4 (b and d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L NOUAKCHOTT 000072
SIPDIS
DS/IP/RD, DS/IP/AF, AF/W
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/21/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV ASEC CASC MR
SUBJECT: EAC MEETS TO DISCUSS PRESIDENT ABDALLAHI'S
TROUBLED RETURN
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Dennis Hankins for
reasons 1.4 (b and d)
1. (SBU) President Abdallahi, who was "released without
condition" by General Aziz on December 21, is being prevented
today from returning to Nouakchott with his supporters.
Abdallahi's spokesmen have announced that the President
intends to make a policy announcement laying out an
alternative exit strategy than that put forward by General
Aziz. As of 13:00 local, the President and a motorcade of 15
vehicles were being blocked by police some 30 miles from
Nouakchott. According to President Abdallahi's Chief of
Staff, the President had been told by the police that they
had instructions to allow only the President's vehicle to
pass and not to permit his entourage to advance. A separate
group of Abdallahi supporters including the presidents of
political parties are being held 15 miles from the city and
being prevented from joining up with the president. Mission
personnel have observed additional police being quickly
deployed throughout the city. The Chief of Staff told Charge
they have not decided what to do if the impasse continues.
2. (C) Charge telephoned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Secretary General to register U.S. concern and encourage the
authorities to allow the President and his supporters to
enter the city. Charge noted that the blockage runs contrary
to General Aziz' statement of December 21 that the President
was being released without condition. Charge also noted that
the regime's actions undercut their claim that the President
was free to participate in the political process. The
Secretary General undertook to immediately pass on U.S.
concerns.
3. (C) Charge convened the EAC to discuss the situation.
The EAC agreed that there was a heightened risk of pro- and
anti-Abdallahi demonstrations related to the President's
attempted return to the city. The EAC agreed that the U.S.
Mission and American citizens were not likely to be targets
of these demonstrations; however, the risk exists of being
caught in the middle of a spontaneous demonstration. The EAC
agreed to immediately issue a Consular Warden Message
alerting American citizens of the possibility of
demonstrations. Mission personnel were advised to monitor
their radios for any changes in the security situation over
the weekend.
4. (C) Charge is scheduled to attend a diplomatic briefing
at President Abdallahi's Nouakchott residence at 16:00 on
Friday. Assuming the President makes it to Nouakchott, the
Charge will attend.
HANKINS
SIPDIS
DS/IP/RD, DS/IP/AF, AF/W
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/21/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV ASEC CASC MR
SUBJECT: EAC MEETS TO DISCUSS PRESIDENT ABDALLAHI'S
TROUBLED RETURN
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Dennis Hankins for
reasons 1.4 (b and d)
1. (SBU) President Abdallahi, who was "released without
condition" by General Aziz on December 21, is being prevented
today from returning to Nouakchott with his supporters.
Abdallahi's spokesmen have announced that the President
intends to make a policy announcement laying out an
alternative exit strategy than that put forward by General
Aziz. As of 13:00 local, the President and a motorcade of 15
vehicles were being blocked by police some 30 miles from
Nouakchott. According to President Abdallahi's Chief of
Staff, the President had been told by the police that they
had instructions to allow only the President's vehicle to
pass and not to permit his entourage to advance. A separate
group of Abdallahi supporters including the presidents of
political parties are being held 15 miles from the city and
being prevented from joining up with the president. Mission
personnel have observed additional police being quickly
deployed throughout the city. The Chief of Staff told Charge
they have not decided what to do if the impasse continues.
2. (C) Charge telephoned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Secretary General to register U.S. concern and encourage the
authorities to allow the President and his supporters to
enter the city. Charge noted that the blockage runs contrary
to General Aziz' statement of December 21 that the President
was being released without condition. Charge also noted that
the regime's actions undercut their claim that the President
was free to participate in the political process. The
Secretary General undertook to immediately pass on U.S.
concerns.
3. (C) Charge convened the EAC to discuss the situation.
The EAC agreed that there was a heightened risk of pro- and
anti-Abdallahi demonstrations related to the President's
attempted return to the city. The EAC agreed that the U.S.
Mission and American citizens were not likely to be targets
of these demonstrations; however, the risk exists of being
caught in the middle of a spontaneous demonstration. The EAC
agreed to immediately issue a Consular Warden Message
alerting American citizens of the possibility of
demonstrations. Mission personnel were advised to monitor
their radios for any changes in the security situation over
the weekend.
4. (C) Charge is scheduled to attend a diplomatic briefing
at President Abdallahi's Nouakchott residence at 16:00 on
Friday. Assuming the President makes it to Nouakchott, the
Charge will attend.
HANKINS