VZCZCXRO9868
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA RUEHTRO
DE RUEHNK #0446/01 1901552
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 091552Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8610
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUCNMGH/MAGHREB COLLECTIVE
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 0759
RUEHDO/AMEMBASSY DOHA 0694
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0769
RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 2299
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1120
RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM 0146
RHMFISS/COMSOCEUR VAIHINGEN GE
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RUEHDS/USMISSION USAU ADDIS ABABA
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1216

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NOUAKCHOTT 000446 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM PHUM MR
SUBJECT: MAURITANIA: POLITICAL ROUNDUP FOR THE WEEK OF 
JULY 5-9 
 
REF: NOUAKCHOTT 431 
 
NOUAKCHOTT 00000446  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1.  (U)  Campaign against forced-feeding and over-eating: 
The Mauritanian government will launch a program in 2010 in 
conjunction with the United Nations Population Fund to fight 
cultural practices and perceptions that adversely affect 
women, including forced-feeding and over-eating.  The program 
will be funded by the Spanish Government.  Among certain 
Mauritanian cultural groups, extreme female plumpness is 
perceived as a sign of beauty.  As a result, obesity related 
diseases and heart disease are prevalent among women. 
Although the practice of forced-feeding has somewhat subsided 
and is now mostly concentrated in rural areas, over-eating to 
conform to cultural standards has become an issue in urban 
areas.  Many urban Mauritanian women endanger their health by 
taking pills to gain weight or increase their appetite. 
These pills can be obtained in local markets or at local 
pharmacies without prescription.  The practice of 
forced-feeding (called "gavage") is in decline -- mostly 
through Mauritanian-driven social awareness but is ongoing 
among Mauritania's most traditional niches. 
 
¶2.  (U)  OIF maintains Mauritania suspension: The 
Organisation internationale de la froncophonie (OIF) decided 
to maintain Mauritania's suspension until after the 
presidential election.  Secretary General Jack Legendre 
stressed that "Mauritania will not be reinstated until after 
the election and until sufficient proof of a transparent 
election is provided." 
 
¶3.  (U)  Hanevy's lawyers issue press release:  The group of 
lawyers defending Hanevy Ould Dehah -- the editor of the 
strongly anti-coup Taqadoumy website -- issued a communique 
on July 6 with a long list of violations of the Mauritanian 
law linked to Hanevy's arrest and detention (reftel). 
 
¶4.  (SBU)  French citizen hospitalized with swine flu 
symptoms:  After seeing on-line reports stating that a French 
citizen had been hospitalized in Nouadhibou with swine flu 
symptoms, EmbOffs called the World Health Organization (WHO) 
and the French Embassy for confirmation.  Both sources 
confirmed the reports, adding that the Ministry of Health and 
the WHO had sent representatives to assist in taking samples, 
which are currently being processed in Dakar.  Final results 
should be available in the next few days (septel).  The 
French Ambassador reassured PolOff there was no reason to be 
alarmed.  He stated the hospitalized Frenchman had been 
traveling "with two Anglophones who could very well be 
American and who continued their trip to Nouakchott." 
 
¶5.  (U)  Christians feel threatened:  Taqadoumy reported that 
Christians living in Nouakchott feel targeted after the 
Christopher Leggett murder.  According to Taqadoumy, some 
have "received threats and live in an ever increasing climate 
of insecurity."  These reports have not been confirmed by 
post. 
 
¶6.  (U)  Students have not been paid:  Nouakchott University 
students protested July 5 to request payment of their 
scholarship stipends.  According to press reports, 
Mauritanian students abroad have been unable to come home on 
vacation because they have not received money for plane 
tickets. 
 
¶7.  (U)  Embassy's Fourth of July reception a success: 
Embassy Nouakchott's Fourth of July reception took place on 
July 8 with 300 guests in attendance.  The Ambassador's 
speech, commending Mauritanians for their efforts to find a 
consensual solution to the political crisis and expressing 
the US' desire to strengthen relations with Mauritania 
following free and fair elections, was extremely well 
received with many guests conveying their appreciation. 
Minister of Justice and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs 
Bal Amadou Tiejane, Representative of the Transitional 
Government of National Unity, focused on Christopher 
Leggett's murder and the need to fight extremism.  His 
remarks also stressed the importance of strong US-Mauritania 
relations.  The official delegation included the Government 
 
NOUAKCHOTT 00000446  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
of National Unity's Minister of the Interior, the Secretary 
General of the Government, and the Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs' Secretary General, Director of American and Asian 
Affairs, and Protocol Director.  The Mauritanian delegation 
joined the Ambassador in planting an olive tree in memory of 
Mr. Leggett.  High-level military officers in attendance 
included Chief of Staff of the National Guard General Felix 
Negri, Director of Security General Mohamed El Hadi and Chief 
of Staff of the Gendarmerie General Ahmed Ould Bekrine. 
Note:  These officers are former High State Council members 
and now are members of the Superior Council for National 
Defense.  Negri's presence at the event may signal an 
acknowledgment within high-level military circles that it is 
acceptable to be seen with the Americans.  End note. 
Presidential candidates conveyed their regrets as they were 
campaigning outside Nouakchott.  Former President Abdallahi 
called the Ambassador on July 7 to say he regretted he was 
unable to attend.  Prestigious members of parliament, 
political parties, civil society and the international 
community were present. 
 
BOULWARE