VZCZCXRO2642
OO RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHC #3962/01 0442200
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O R 132144Z FEB 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
INFO RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 6790
RUEHNK/AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT 1588

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