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 -------------- -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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