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