GOA RESPONDS TO MOROCCAN ACCUSATIONS ON

UNCLAS ALGIERS 002082

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL SMIG AG MO XA
SUBJECT: GOA RESPONDS TO MOROCCAN ACCUSATIONS ON
CLANDESTINE IMMIGRATION


1. (U) In recent days, Algerian media have devoted much
coverage to the plight of African migrants attempting to
enter the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, which are
located in northern Morocco. The coverage has focused
primarily on the allegedly dire humanitarian situation of the
migrants; Moroccan authorities' use of live ammunition
against them, killing six; and the forced removal by the
Moroccan authorities of some 500 migrants to a camp near the
Algerian border. In addition, the Algerian media have
reported Moroccan statements seeking to blame, at least in
part, Algeria for the human misery.

GOA RESPONDED TO STATEMENTS BY MOROCCAN OFFICIALS
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2. (U) According to Algerian media reports, the spokesman of
the Moroccan Government Nabil bin Abdallah reportedly said
October 8 that, "Algeria must assume its responsibilities" in
preventing illegal migrants from entering Morocco. Around
the same time, Moroccan Ambassador to the European Union
Menouar Alem reportedly said, "Algeria is making no serious
effort to control the thousands of sub-Saharan nationals who
transit notably the region of Maghnea. If Europe closes its
eyes...we will not come to resolve this immigration problem."


EFFECTIVE INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION NEEDED
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3. (U) An unnamed MFA source, quoted by the Algerian press,
responded October 9 to the Moroccan allegations that Algeria
has not done its part to stop illegal immigration into
Morocco. In what amounted to an official statement, the
source said, "The dramatic developments that the nationals of
brotherly sub-Saharan countries in illegal status are
experiencing, mainly around Ceuta and Melilla, are followed
with intense concern by the Government of Algeria. This
serious situation underscores the necessity of a collective
and resolute action to cope with this problem in its
immediacy as in its causes. In this perspective, the fight
against illegal immigration should not be limited to police
actions, even though such actions are necessary, because
police actions in and of themselves are not sufficient to
cope with the situation with the sensitivity and complexity
required. For this reason, an effective international
cooperation should be undertaken to prescribe satisfactory
solutions equally for the countries of origin, the countries
of transit, and the receiving countries, in the spirit of
respect for human dignity and moral values shared by the
international community."

COMMENT
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4. (SBU) The plight of these African illegal migrants, with
the related issuance of a Moroccan statement and Algerian
riposte, serves to underscore once again the underlying
tensions between Rabat and Algiers, as well as the need for
their cooperation in stemming illegal immigration, terrorism,
and the narcotics trade.

SIEVERS