DEMOCRACY IN MAURITANIA: DEMARCHING THE EU

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 013962 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EUN MR PGOV PHUM PREL SUBJECT: DEMOCRACY IN MAURITANIA: DEMARCHING THE EU REF: (A)NOUAKCHOTT 94 (B)NOUAKCHOTT 108 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraphs 4 and 5. BACKGROUND -------------- ¶2. (U) On February 5, the African Union (AU) decided to impose targeted sanctions (visa denials, travel restrictions and freezing of assets) against the military junta and its supporters in Mauritania, sending a strong message that coups are no longer acceptable in Africa. The European Union (EU) has an important opportunity to support the AU and the cause of democracy in Africa when it meets on February 20 in Paris to consider Mauritania's status under the Article 96 Cotonou Accords process. Pro-democracy forces within Mauritania have emphasized the critical influence that sanctions could have on wavering coup supporters (see refs A and B). ¶3. (SBU) On August 6, 2008, General Aziz led a coup d'etat against Mauritania's first democratically elected government. This was a serious blow to Mauritania's fledging democracy and to Africa's efforts to end coups as a means to effect change of governments. Quick to condemn the coup and to suspend Mauritania's membership, the AU called repeatedly for the return to constitutional rule in Mauritania and for the release and restoration of President Abdallahi. The junta has defied all such calls from the international community, including by the United States and the EU, and is attempting to gain legitimacy by laying the groundwork for hasty and unconstitutional elections. Recent reports that the junta leader, General Aziz, has announced his candidacy for president confirm his intentions to hold on to power. ACTION REQUESTS -------------- ¶4. (U) Please approach host government at the highest appropriate level to present our views on the importance of the EU supporting and reinforcing the AU's actions regarding Mauritania during the EU,s February 20 meeting in Paris hosted by the Francophonie. In particular, the AU,s adoption of targeted sanctions against the junta and its supporters is a rare instance of strong public action by the AU to advance African democracy, and should receive the strong support of the EU and US. USEU is encouraged if possible to deliver points directly to Commissioner Michel. Please report reactions by February 18. ¶5. (U) At the suggestion of the Czech EU Presidency during recent consultations with AF Acting A/S Carter, Posts should identify Members of the European Parliament (EP) that, for reasons of influence or pro-democracy ideology, would be candidates to approach on this issue. (Note: Although the EP does not have a formal say on sanctions, the EP meets regularly with other EU institutions and can have considerable influence with the Commission and Council. End note.) Department requests Posts urge these Parliamentarians to support the AU,s decision to impose targeted sanctions against the military junta and its supporters. Posts may wish to consult or coordinate with USEU regarding key influential Parliamentarians. (BEGIN POINTS) --On February 5, the African Union (AU) decided to impose targeted sanctions against the military junta and its supporters in Mauritania, sending a strong message that coups are no longer acceptable in Africa. --The European Union (EU) has an important opportunity to support the AU and the cause of democracy in Africa when it meets on February 20 in Paris to consider Mauritania's status under the Article 96 Cotonou Accords process. --The U.S. welcomes the European Commission,s February 12th statement expressing support for the AU,s decision to impose sanctions, and we urge the EU to continue to withhold assistance funds and to make cooperation with Mauritania contingent upon the restoration of democracy and constitutional order. --The U.S. currently has targeted travel restrictions in STATE 00013962 002 OF 002 place and has terminated all development assistance, except humanitarian assistance. The U.S. supports the AU,s decision to impose targeted sanctions against the military junta in Mauritania and is considering similar measures domestically. The U.S. believes the international community needs to stand behind the AU and send a strong message to the junta in Mauritania that its conduct will not be tolerated. --As an Islamic Republic and an Arab/African country, democratic Mauritania was an important and compelling example of democracy in the region. If democracy does not prevail in Mauritania, it will set a powerful and dangerous precedent whose impact is already being seen in the region. --The international community has given Mauritania every opportunity to meet its obligations under the AU charter and other accords and to return to constitutional order but the junta has steadfastly refused to compromise. Even the minimal concession of freeing President Abdallahi has proven to be a sham, as he and his supporters are unable to circulate freely and is threatened with physical aggression by junta-organized "demonstrations." --The junta's plans for early elections are a transparent attempt to consolidate power behind a veneer of legitimacy. Such elections have no constitutional basis and, if conducted by the junta, would offer no credibility. President Abdallahi has indicated his own willingness to hold early elections once constitutional government is restored if that is the will of the people and necessary to solve the political crisis. --The military junta's management of the government and economy is proving disastrous and economic ruin is a real prospect. --President Obama's response to President Abdallahi's congratulatory letter (and lack of one to General Aziz's) leaves no doubt that USG policy towards Mauritania will remain strongly in support of democracy and against the junta. --While the junta proclaims President Abdallahi was weak with respect to Mauritania,s international security interests, General Aziz and others in the junta were those responsible for security issues under President Abdallahi. Security personnel and resources under the junta are overwhelmingly directed toward maintaining power rather than defending national sovereignty and combating terrorism. There are increasing reports that the junta is engaging in dangerous, destabilizing activities in neighboring Mali as retribution for that country's opposition to the coup. --While General Aziz may hold obstinately to power, those directly around him are getting nervous at the threat of AU, EU, and UNSC sanctions, particularly those within his own tribe. Without their support, Aziz's hold on power will be much weaker and there will be a better chance at convincing him to step down. --For the first time in its history, substantial numbers of Mauritanians are refusing to accept a coup as a fait accompli and are standing up for democracy. They deserve the full support of the international community. CLINTON