US embassy cable - 05CAIRO6135

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 006135 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF/W AND AF/RA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/09/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PHUM, MOPS, PINR, EG, MR, Arab League 
SUBJECT: MAURITANIA COUP:  ARAB LEAGUE SENDING PERSONAL 
ENVOY OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL, A TACIT NOD OF APPROVAL TO 
COUP LEADERS 
 
REF: STATE 143542 (NOTAL) 
 
Classified by Acting DCM Michael Corbin for reasons 1.4 (b) 
and (d). 
 
1.  (C) Arab League Assistant Secretary General for 
Palestinian Affairs Said Kamal (protect) told poloff August 9 
that he had been appointed as the Secretary General's 
Personal Envoy on Mauritania and that he would visit 
Nouakchott August 11 to meet with coup leaders and others. 
Kamal, who requested the meeting, sought background on the 
latest USG thinking and policy views on the situation in 
Mauritania, and provided the August 4 Arab League statement 
on the coup (text at paragraph four).  Drawing from reftel 
cable, Department press guidance, and transcripts from the 
Department's daily press briefing, poloff reiterated 
Washington's condemnation of the non-constitutional steps 
taken, as well as our close association with statements made 
by the African Union. 
 
2.  (C) Kamal shared that while his instructions from 
Secretary General Moussa were to avoid "interference in 
 
SIPDIS 
internal affairs," his visit would be a tacit indication of 
support to coup leaders by the League.  Furthermore, the 
selection of Kamal - a Palestinian - would undoubtedly 
emphasize the Secretary General's interest in bringing 
Mauritania closer to League positions on relations with 
Israel.  Nevertheless, Kamal suggested that the coup leaders 
were quickly consolidating their control, had offered 
President Taya and his wife safe passage back to Nouakchott 
to collect their belongings, and intended to invite 
international monitors in to observe elections in one year. 
 
3.  (C) Comment.  Kamal departs from Cairo on the morning of 
August 10, giving us time to pass a message if so desired by 
the Department.  End comment. 
 
4.  (U) Begin text of Arab League Statement of August 4, 2005: 
 
The Secretary General of the Arab League is closely 
monitoring the current situation in the Islamic Republic of 
Mauritania.  The Secretary General is keen to do all that can 
be done to achieve stability, security, and prosperity for 
the people of Mauritania.  He also stressed the importance of 
preserving Mauritania,s identity as an Arab country and a 
member of the Arab League.  The policy of the Arab League is 
guided by the following priciples: 
 
First:  Abiding by Arab League declarations with respect to 
respecting the sovereignty of member countries. 
 
Second:  The importance of respecting the will of the people 
of Mauritania, enabling them to organize their internal 
affairs according to their interest, and the commitments that 
were approved by recent Arab Summits -- especially the 
modernization and the development of the Arab nations which 
was approved in Tunis in 2004, mandating respect for the rule 
of law, accomplishing justice and equity between citizens, 
and respect of human rights according to international and 
Arab declarations for human rights, and continuation of 
economic and social development. 
 
Third:  The importance of continuing to protect the 
principles supporting Arab stances towards key issues in 
accordance with decisions of the Arab League at the level of 
Ministers of Foreign Affairs. 
 
End text of Arab League statement. 
 
 
Visit Embassy Cairo's Classified Website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/cairo 
 
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State Department's Classified SIPRNET website. 
 
JONES