FORUM FOR THE FUTURE DEMARCHE DELIVERED TO ROYG

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 002939 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/23/2014 TAGS: ECON PREL KDEM KMPI YM ECON COM DEMOCRATIC REFORM SUBJECT: FORUM FOR THE FUTURE DEMARCHE DELIVERED TO ROYG REF: A. STATE 242059 ¶B. STATE 237054 Classified By: Ambassador Thomas C. Krajeski for reasons 1.4 b and d. ¶1. (U) Summary: On November 23, EmbOffs met with separately with Deputy Foreign Minister Noman and Deputy Finance Minister Ghalib to deliver draft agenda (ref A) and discuss ROYG planning for the December 11 Forum for the Future meeting in Rabat (ref B). Both officials assured us that the necessary ROYG preparations are taking place; MFA has presented its democracy paper to the Moroccan Embassy, The Ministry of Finance promised to present its microfinance paper on November 25. End Summary. ¶2. (U) The MFA is expected to present the ROYG democracy paper to the Moroccan Charge d'Affaires November 24. According to Deputy Finance Minister Ahmed Ghalib, the MOF will submit its microfinance paper to the Moroccans November ¶25. DFM Noman said the ROYG has officially accepted the GOM's invitation. The following officials will make up the ROYG delegation to Rabat: - Minister of Foreign Affairs Abubakr Abdullah al-Qirbi - Minister of Finance Alawi Saleh al-Salimi - Deputy Minister of Finance for International Relations Ahmed Ghalib - Counselor to the Foreign Minister Khaled al-Yemani ¶3. (C) Comment: Foreign Minister Noman, a strong proponent of reform, expressed skepticism about the BMENA process. He complained that working with Italy and Turkey to move forward on the BMENA Democracy Initiative was "like pulling teeth," and asked that as G-8 chair the USG continue to press all parties for concrete steps toward fulfilling Sea Island commitments. Pol/Econ Chief assured Noman that the U.S. takes seriously its leadership role in this process. End Comment. KRAJESKI