Morocco Leaks : Meeting between Head of MINURSO and El Bouhali (stolen document*)

Tags : Morocco Moroccoleaks, Western Sahara, Frente Polisario, MINURSO, General Abdul Hafiz, Mohamed Lamin Bouhali, Military Agreement No. 1,

Summary : On 3 October 2011, a MINURSO delegation met in Tindouf with the FPOL Minister of Defense, Mr. Mohamed Lamine Bouhali, to discuss the security situation east of the Berm and ongoing cooperation. The meeting reaffirmed the strong, transparent relationship between MINURSO and FPOL, based on dialogue and mutual understanding. The Minister clarified that there is no instruction requiring armed escorts for MINURSO patrols, confirming FPOL’s full respect for Military Agreement No. 1 and MINURSO’s freedom of movement. He provided a security assessment, noting that while Western Sahara remains free from terrorism, regional instability and terrorist activity in neighboring areas require precautionary measures, particularly near the Mauritanian border. FPOL expressed support for the gradual resumption of MINURSO night patrols and observations, suspended since 2008, with recommended safety measures and close coordination with FPOL liaison officers. The Minister emphasized that any security advice would remain advisory, not obligatory. The meeting was described as cordial and productive, resulting in a positive outcome that reaffirmed FPOL’s commitment to cooperation with MINURSO while addressing shared security concerns ahead of FPOL’s 13th Congress scheduled for December 2011.

Text du document

TO: LADSOUS, UNAXIONS, NEW YORK

INFO: PASCOE, UNAXIONS, NEW YORK, ROSS, UNAXIONS, NEW YORK, MALCORRA, UNAXIONS, NEW YORK, STARR, UNAXIONS, NEW YORK

FROM: ABDEL-AZIZ, MINURSO, LAAYOUNE

DATE: 7 October 2011

SUBJECT: MINURSO Force Commander meets FPOL ‘Minister of Defense’

Please find attached a self-explanatory note on the meeting held by the MINURSO Force Commander, Maj.-General Abdul Hafiz, with FPOL ‘Minister of Defense,’ Mohamed Lamine Bouhaji.

The Force Commander discussed the security situation east of the berm, the misunderstanding regarding Polisario armed escorts of Mission patrols and resuming night observation activities.

The ‘Minister’ seemed concerned regarding potential terrorist threats in the region, especially along the Western Sahara – Mauritanian Border. He supported the resumption of MINURSO night patrols (cancelled in 2008) and reiterated that « imposing armed escorts on MINURSO patrols was a misunderstanding. »

The Force Commander assessed the meeting as « very cordial and fruitful. »

Regards.

UNITED NATIONS
United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara

INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM

CEN: 08-1 PAGE: 01 OF: 11 Reference: FC/0081/2011 Date: 06 October 2011

To: Mr. Hany Abdel-Aziz, SRSO & Head of Mission

From: Major General Abdul Haliz, Force Commander

Subject: Meeting with FPOL Minister of Defense in Rabouni

As per your instruction, I travelled to Tindouf on 03 October 2011 and had a meeting with FPOL Minister of Defense Mr. Mohamed Lamine Bouhali. I was accompanied by HLO Tindouf Mr. Omar Manis, CMIO, MLO2 and MAFC.

At the outset, I expressed my appreciation to the Minister for the meeting and I recalled with gratitude our last meeting of 20 August 2011 during which he agreed to fully cooperate with all MINURSO activities having reiterated that there cannot be any problem which we cannot solve through discussion and dialogue. I mentioned that the relationship between the TSs and FPMF Military Regions are based on transparency, fraternity and mutual understanding.

Then I explained that my objective for meeting with the Minister was to get his views and assessment regarding the security situation in the area east of the Berra. I mentioned about the misunderstanding that had occurred a week ago when two of the FPMF military regions informed us that henceforth all MINURSO patrols would have to be escorted by FPMF armed elements. I said that this came as a surprise to us for which we immediately sought clarification through our LO Tindouf. Thanking the Minister for promptly clarifying the matter, I requested for his assessment of the security situation and asked if new arrangements or measures were necessary. I also sought his opinion on the resumption of night observations and night patrols from our TSs (stopped since 2008).

In reply, FPOL Minister said that since the commencement of MINURSO 20 years ago, FPOL held meetings with MINURSO leadership whenever serious matters arose and contacted with Tindouf LO for less important matters and FPOL never took any sudden unilateral decision. The FPOL Minister added that they respect the Military Agreement #1, therefore the issue of new instruction imposing armed escorts on MINURSO patrols was a misunderstanding and he reaffirmed that there is no instruction in that regard and that the FPMF shall continue to maintain the same arrangements with the MINURSO Team Sites as it used to be.

As for the security assessment, he stated that the vast area adjacent to Western Sahara is full of terrorism and smuggling and that two years ago “footsteps of terrorism” were heard in Mauritania with whom Western Sahara shares more than 2000 km boundary. He noted that although their activities are far away from the Western Sahara-Mauritanian borders, Mauritanian forces’ operations against the terrorists along the Malian border to hunt them down may lead these groups to move closer to Western Sahara-Mauritanian border. He further said that the fact was “Western Sahara now is free from terrorism but FPOL could not ignore the footsteps of terrorism that we hear near us”. The Minister thinks that terrorists may decide to attack the FPMF Military Regions to capture weapons and ammunition or logistics or even kidnap and MINURSO is not far from these challenges. The Minister added, “that was why FPOL contemplated establishment of check posts in areas near Mauritanian borders. In fact, there are no incidents in Western Sahara but precautions are needed to meet all probabilities”.

Thereafter, the Minister said that Rabouni and refugee camps have special political and social significance as they receive family visits and guests from friendly countries. He highlighted that in Western Sahara (east of the Bern), events and occasions take place regularly that are attended by senior officials and foreign guests. Therefore, he said, it was normal to increase security measures and particularly in the wake of the FPOL 13th Congress (scheduled in December 2011) which will be attended by many visitors starting from October 2011.

The Minister reiterated that FPOL respects Military Agreement at all times, however, they try to increase the measures only to face the security challenges and not to violate the Military Agreement. He said, even if MINURSO does not want patrols to be escorted by FPMF LOs, they will accept it.

With regard to resumption of MINURSO night patrols, the Minister said that FPOL has no objection to it, however, such patrols should avoid suspected mine areas, avoid going close to Mauritanian borders and he advised that in case of overnight stay, the patrol should spend the night near to FPMF guard posts for safety of the URMOs. He suggested conducting night patrols at a reduced rate during the coming months until the end of their Congress. He also suggested that the MINURSO Team Site Commanders maintain close coordination with FPMF LOs. The concurred LO may suggest escort or cancellation of patrol according to the security information he has, but he said this was only a suggestion and was in no way an obligation.

I thanked the Minister for his security assessment vis-a-vis the conduct of patrols by MINURSO. I reaffirmed that the Team Site Commanders will keep contact with the respective Military Regions and take into account any security advice. I requested the Minister to inform the Military Regions concerning gradual resumption by MINURSO of night patrols and night observations east of the Berm.

Comments: The meeting with the FPOL Minister of Defense was very cordial and fruitful since he provided answers to all our questions. I consider the outcome of the meeting to be very positive since the Minister reiterated FPOL willingness to respect the Military Agreements and to ensure MINURSO’s freedom of movement. However, FPOL appears to be concerned about the possibility of terrorists moving to Western Sahara (east of the Berm) having been pressurized by the joint Mauritanian-Malian forces’ operations to flush them out from their territories. FPOL is also apprehensive of Moroccan attempts to sabotage or foil the holding of their Congress scheduled in December 2011. As advised by FPOL, MINURSO should conduct its activities east of the Berm in close coordination with the Military Regions and should gradually resume night patrols suspended since 2008.

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