Mauritania's Poor Skeptical on Oil Riches

[Eugene]

Mauritania's Poor Skeptical on Oil Riches

By NAFI DIOUF
The Associated Press
Sunday, August 28, 2005; 1:34 PM

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania -- This country hasn't even started exporting
oil yet, and already some Mauritanians are demanding a share of the
hoped-for profits.

Hundreds of professors at Nouakchott University have backed their
demands for better health insurance and housing with a threat to
strike this fall, illustrating how oil's promise has raised
expectations _ and tensions.

"I am convinced that oil money will go into the pockets of the rich,"
said Mohammed El Abd Ould Ramdane, standing ankle-deep in muddy rain
water stagnating outside his home in the slum of El Mina.

<snip>

A history of cracking down ruthlessly on opponents and anger over
allying this Muslim nation with the United States in the war on terror
and opening full diplomatic relations with Israel six years ago were
cited as the prime reasons for a bloodless Aug. 3 coup that toppled
President Maaouya Sid'Ahmed Ould Taya. But a power struggle over oil
also may have played a role.

Full article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/28/AR2005082800470.html