ized by constitution passed 12 July 1991, however, politics
continue to be tribally based; emerging parties include Democratic and
Social Republican Party (PRDS), led by President Col. Maaouya Ould
Sid'Ahmed TAYA; Union of Democratic Forces - New Era (UFD/NE), headed
by Ahmed Ould DADDAH; Assembly for Democracy and Unity (RDU), Ahmed
Ould SIDI BABA; Popular Social and Democratic Union (UPSD), Mohamed
Mahmoud Ould MAH; Mauritanian Party for Renewal (PMR), Hameida
BOUCHRAYA; National Avant-Garde Party (PAN), Khattry Ould JIDDOU;
Mauritanian Party of the Democratic Center (PCDM), Bamba Ould SIDI
BADI
Other political or pressure groups:
Mauritanian Workers Union (UTM)
Member of:
ABEDA, ACCT (associate), ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC,
CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,
ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Mohamed Fall Ould AININA
chancery:
2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 232-5700
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Gordon S. BROWN
embassy:
address NA, Nouakchott
mailing address:
B. P. 222, Nouakchott
telephone:
[222] (2) 526-60 or 526-63
FAX:
[222] (2) 515-92
Flag:
green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow, horizontal
crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the crescent, star,
and color green are traditional symbols of Islam

@Mauritania, Economy

Overview:
A majority of the population still depends on agriculture and
livestock for a livelihood, even though most of the nomads and many
subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts
in the 1970s and 1980s. Mauritania has extensive deposits of iron ore,
which account for almost 50% of total exports. The decline in world
demand for this ore, however, has led to cutbacks in production. The
nation's coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the
world, but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of
revenue. The country's first deepwater port opened near Nouakchott in
1986. In recent years, drought and economic mismanagement have
resulted in a substantial buildup of foreign debt. The government has
begun the second stage of an economic reform program in consultation
with the World B