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