DEMARCHE ON MAURITANIA

UNCLAS STATE 011823


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL SG MR
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON MAURITANIA


1. (U) This is an urgent action request. Please see
paragraph 3.

BACKGROUND
--------------


2. (SBU) On January 28, President Abdoulaye Wade sent a
special envoy from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mankeur
Ndiaye to deliver a message to Mauritanian Mohamed Ould Abdel
Aziz. According to media reports, the message emphasized the
friendship and brotherhood between the two countries. The
week prior, President Wade met with General Aziz in Qatar and
began what reports have called "dialogue" between Mauritania
and Senegal.


3. (SBU) Post is instructed to meet with Foreign Minister
Gadio and special envoy Mankeur Ndiaye as soon as possible to
request clarification regarding recent meetings between
Senegalese officials and Mauritania junta leaders. Post
should also make clear USG position on Mauritania.

Please refer to the following talking points.
(BEGIN POINTS)

-- We remain firm in our condemnation of the undemocratic and
unconstitutional measures taken by Mauritania's security and
military leaders in launching the August 6 coup d'etat
against the legitimate and democratically elected president
of Mauritania.

-- We do not accept the coup for reasons both of principle
and practicality: Not only do coups violate the democratic
principles we all share, but also experience shows that coups
simply beget further coups--and inspire them elsewhere. We
are also convinced that this coup will not bring greater
security and stability to Mauritania but rather risks
sparking divisive conflict and courting economic ruin.

--The U.S. strongly supports the firm and principled position
of the AU and the international community in rejecting the
coup in Mauritania.

--In defiance of the international community, the junta is
embarked on a course that will lead the country even farther
down an unconstitutional path by taking steps to conduct
illegitimate elections that can only further complicate a
return to legitimacy and constitutional order.

--We must reject this cynical attempt by the junta to give
itself a democratic veneer. We, therefore, urge Senegal to
fully support the AU position including any measures adopted
to dissuade the junta from its unwise and illegitimate
actions.

--Senegal's reputation as a leading democracy gives its
actions towards undemocratic events increased importance and
scrutiny among its neighbors and within the international
community. We hope that Senegal will use its influence to
help Mauritania return to constitutional order beginning with
the re-instatement of President Abdallahi to his presidential
powers.


CLINTON