Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PORTLOUIS14
2009-01-13 11:07:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Port Louis
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR'S DEPARTURE CALL ON MAURITIAN PRIME

Tags:  PGOV PREL ABLD KREC ZI MP 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO5473
RR RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUEHPL #0014/01 0131107
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 131107Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY PORT LOUIS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4359
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0347
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT LOUIS 000014 

SIPDIS

AF/E FOR MARIA BEYZEROV
EEB/TRA/AN FOR ROBL, GLATZ, HUTCHENS
PM/SNA FOR JAMES DETEMPLE
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO USTR FOR PATRICK COLEMAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL ABLD KREC ZI MP
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S DEPARTURE CALL ON MAURITIAN PRIME
MINISTER RAMGOOLAM

Classified By: Ambassador Cesar B. Cabrera for reasons 1.4 (b and d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT LOUIS 000014

SIPDIS

AF/E FOR MARIA BEYZEROV
EEB/TRA/AN FOR ROBL, GLATZ, HUTCHENS
PM/SNA FOR JAMES DETEMPLE
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO USTR FOR PATRICK COLEMAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL ABLD KREC ZI MP
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S DEPARTURE CALL ON MAURITIAN PRIME
MINISTER RAMGOOLAM

Classified By: Ambassador Cesar B. Cabrera for reasons 1.4 (b and d).


1. (C) Summary: On January 12, Ambassador Cabrera (with DCM
as note taker) conducted his final official meeting with
Mauritian Prime Minister Ramgoolam. The 90-minute meeting
reinforced the close US-Mauritian ties, and provided
Ramgoolam an opportunity to thank the Ambassador for his
service to both nations. Rapport between the Prime Minister
and the Ambassador was excellent, with much of the meeting
engaged in friendly discussions and anecdotes about political
life in Mauritius and the United States. A highlight of the
meeting was Ramgoolam noting that he has reconsidered his
government's position on Zimbabwe, and that his focus during
upcoming meetings in Washington (on the margins of the prayer
breakfast in early February) will be to ask for U.S. guidance
on how Mauritius can be more helpful in international fora,
particularly within SADC. Other issues discussed included
military/police cooperation and programs, trade relations,
and the new U.S. administration. Not surprisingly, Ramgoolam
noted his government's continued desire for dialogue with the
U.S. on Diego Garcia. End Summary.

--------------
ZIMBABWE
--------------


2. (C) During Ambassador Cabrera's departure courtesy call
with Prime Minister Ramgoolam (PM) on January 12, the PM
noted his growing disappointment with the situation in
Zimbabwe. The PM recounted a recent conversation he had with
the British Foreign Minister in which Ramgoolam noted that
the situation in Zimbabwe had changed. "Any government that
can refuse President Carter a visa is clearly not
functioning," he said. According to the PM, it was a poor
decision and reflected how bad things have become
politically. He sees now that Mauritius should review with
its allies, "especially the United States, how Mauritius
might best use its influence in Africa, especially in SADC."
Ambassador Cabrera welcomed this new view, noting that

Mauritius was in an excellent position to display leadership
on the Zimbabwe issue. He encouraged the PM to follow up
this new sentiment with action. Ramgoolam was thoughtful to
the appeal, and agreed that such a topic should be one of a
handful of issues he would like to raise during his planned
early-February trip to the U.S. for the annual prayer
breakfast. (Embassy comment: Meetings with senior U.S.
leaders have been requested via the Mauritian Embassy in
Washington.)

--------------
PLANNED TRIP TO THE US
--------------


3. (C) Ramgoolam then moved to his priorities for his
upcoming trip to the United States, which is tentatively set
for 4-6 February. In addition to the prayer breakfast, the
PM hopes to meet with newly inaugurated President Obama,
Secretary of State Clinton, the Agriculture Secretary, the US
Trade Representative, and a number of members of Congress.
His talking points would focus on seeking to strengthen
relations between our two countries. More specifically, he
would wish to discuss the further advancement of trade
agreements, including securing a Bilateral Investment Treaty
(BIT) and progressing on Trade and Investment Framework
Agreement (TIFA) goals, as well as continued regional
cooperation programs. Of course, he said, he would like to
raise Mauritian concerns about Diego Garcia and the Chagos
archipelago, noting that he believes he has a "solution which
would be good for the UK and the U.S." The Ambassador
demurred on the last point, and simply reminded the PM that
issues regarding Diego Garcia should be raised with the UK.

--------------
DIEGO GARCIA
--------------


4. (C) The PM brushed the Ambassador's comment aside, noting
that he believes talks are going well with the British on the
issue of Diego Garcia. As evidence, he cited meetings taking
place that same day in London among key technical staff of
both countries. Given that the PM is well aware of the U.S.
stance on this issue, the Ambassador turned the conversation
to the issue of peacekeeping.

--------------
PEACEKEEPING

PORT LOUIS 00000014 002 OF 002


--------------


5. (C) The Ambassador brought the discussion back to
leadership issues, noting that Mauritius was sadly at the
bottom of the list of African countries contributing to
international peacekeeping efforts. The PM acknowledged the
past few discussions he has had with the Embassy on this
topic and said that at Post encouragement he held a private
meeting with his police chief (there is no military in
Mauritius) and the head of the Special Mobile Force (SMF)
(Note: This is the unit from which Mauritian peacekeepers
would most likely come). Suspecting that reluctance for
contributing to PKOs stemmed from the SMF, the PM was
surprised during his discussions to hear how enthusiastic SMF
leadership was for volunteering for missions. "I don't see
where there is any resistance" to the increase of
peacekeepers from Mauritius, said the PM.

--------------
COMMENT
--------------


6. (C) The Prime Minister's comments on Zimbabwe were a bit
of a surprise. Despite repeated demarches over the past year,
heretofore Ramgoolam has stuck to a rigid posture of complete
support for Mbeki and his negotiations. Even as Mbeki was
losing credibility among other AU leaders, Ramgoolam stuck to
his repeated refrains. This is the first time he
acknowledged Mbeki's failure to obtain a compromise or
resolution, although some comments he made in parliament a
month ago gave indications that the PM was shifting. Should
the PM have meetings in Washington in February, encouragement
by the new Administration of Mauritian engagement would be
helpful and timely.


7. (C) It is likely unavoidable that the PM would use the
opportunity of such meetings to raise Diego Garcia, and more
expressly the Mauritian desire to cut a deal with the U.S.
If for no other than political reasons -- especially with
elections coming no later than 2010 -- Ramgoolam would need
to return from a visit in the U.S. saying that he discussed
Chagos with the new U.S. administration. With regard to peace
keeping, Post has long pressured the GOM to make appropriate
commitments. We remain hopeful we can turn the Mauritian
policy-makers around to greater contributions.
CABRERA