La amenaza terrorista en el Magreb

Cable sobre las reformas en Mauritania tras el golpe de 2008

Diplomáticos de EE UU acreditados en España insisten en 2008 en la necesidad de restaurar la democracia y el orden constitucional

06 dic 2010 - 22:24CET

ID:	177204
Date:	2008-11-07 06:38:00
Origin:	08MADRID1183
Source:	Embassy Madrid
Classification:	CONFIDENTIAL
Dunno:	08MADRID1132 08STATE116982
Destination:	VZCZCXRO5265 PP RUEHLA DE RUEHMD #1183 3120638 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 070638Z NOV 08 FM AMEMBASSY MADRID TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5551 INFO RUEHNK/AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT PRIORITY 1176 RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA PRIORITY 0256 RUEHLA/AMCONSUL BARCELONA 3640
C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 001183 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/WE, AF/RA E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/31/2018 TAGS: PREL, PGOV, MR, SP SUBJECT: SPAIN SUPPORTS AU & EU EFFORTS TO RESTORE CONSTITUIONAL RULE IN MAURITANIA REF: (A) STATE 116982 (B) MADRID 1132 Classified By: DCM Arnold Chacon for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 1. (C) Reftel demarche was conveyed to Director General for the Mediterranean, Magreb and Near Orient Fidel Sendagorta on November 4 through his deputy, Manuel Gomez-Acebo. In addition, our views on the importance of restoring democratic and constitutional rule to Mauritania were conveyed to FM Moratinos, Policy Planning Director Andres Ortega, and Sendagorta on October 23 during NEA A/S Welch's visit to Madrid as reported reftel (B). 2. (C) Manuel Gomez-Acebo, Deputy Director for the Magreb (which includes Mauritania in the Spanish MFA organizational charts) responded to our November 4 demarche saying, "we are working with the African Union, both bilaterally and through the EU, to ensure that international efforts result in maintaining stability and facilitate a return to constitutional order." He said that Spain's statement of August 6, 2008 still accurately reflected the GOS position and that the MFA did not plan to issue further communiques apart from the EU. The August 6 official MFA communique stated, "The GOS condemns the coup that has taken place in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and calls for the immediate release of the President and Prime Minister and reestablishment of democracy. The Spanish Embassy in Nouakchatt is in constant contact with Spanish citizens and the situation is calm." 3. (C) As explained previously by Sendagorta, Spain views Mauritania as a fragile country and therefore, a target for al-Qaeda. Sendagorta has argued that since its military gave the country form, we must work with the military to accomplish our goals. Spain's priorities are counter-terrorism, immigration, and to a lesser extent, fishing rights. Sendagorta has urged a quick solution that would prevent a political vacuum or armed conflict. Spain doesn't want a failed state a few miles from its territory in the Canary Islands and believes that it would be ideal if the military stepped back and allowed a "Turkish model" to emerge. 4. (C) In response to our points on the need to reinforce the democratic process, Sendagorta clarified October 23 that Spain was not weak on democracy, but wanted to find the right balance to bring long term solutions. Sendagorta told A/S Welch that France was coming around to Spain's views on this matter. Given ongoing consultations in Mauritania regarding the presidential powers and the parliament's role, Sendagorta believed an agreement was possible by year end. Also, Spain thought there should be movement to liberate the ex-president without putting him back in power. Spain's Ambassador in Mauritania reported the ex-president was well treated and the Parliament was still operational; hence there was a measure of freedom of expression. AGUIRRE