Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BAMAKO1372
2006-12-01 11:59:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bamako
Cable title:  

MOROCCO PUSHES SDAR OUT OF BAMAKO CONFERENCE ON

Tags:  EAGR KFLU TBIO PREL EAID ML 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO3730
RR RUEHPA
DE RUEHBP #1372 3351159
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 011159Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY BAMAKO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6546
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS 0299
RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT 0232
RUEHLMC/MCC WASHINGTON DC 0015
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAMAKO 001372 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2016
TAGS: EAGR KFLU TBIO PREL EAID ML
SUBJECT: MOROCCO PUSHES SDAR OUT OF BAMAKO CONFERENCE ON
AVIAN AND PANDEMIC INFLUENZA

REF: STATE 190899

Classified By: POLITICAL OFFICER GLENN FEDZER FOR REASON 1.4 (b)

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAMAKO 001372

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2016
TAGS: EAGR KFLU TBIO PREL EAID ML
SUBJECT: MOROCCO PUSHES SDAR OUT OF BAMAKO CONFERENCE ON
AVIAN AND PANDEMIC INFLUENZA

REF: STATE 190899

Classified By: POLITICAL OFFICER GLENN FEDZER FOR REASON 1.4 (b)


1. (C) A diplomatic offensive by Moroccan Ambassador to Mali
Moulay Idriss Fadhil paid off when Mali reportedly compelled
the AU organizers to not extend an invitation to the Sahara
Democratic Arab Republic (SDAR) to attend the Fourth
International Conference on Avian and Pandemic Influenza
(reftel) scheduled for 6-8 December in Bamako. As late as
November 28, Ambassador Fadhil said that the Malian
Government had not responded to his request that the SDAR not
be invited, but on 29 November the Minister of Livestock told
the Embassy that Mali had insisted that as co-host of the
conference, Mali's wishes on invitees must be respected.
Reflecting Mali's excellent bilateral relations with Morocco
and a shared history stretching back to the 6th century, the
Minister said Mali insisted on inviting Morocco, and
understood the AU had in fact not invited the SDAR. The
Minister said this was transmitted to the Moroccan government
this week.


2. (C) Ambassador Fadhil sent a diplomatic note to the U.S.
Embassy 27 November requesting USG assistance in preventing
an SDAR invitation, under the assumption that the USG was a
cosponsor and organizer of the conference. In a follow-up
meeting with the U.S. Ambassador 28 November, Ambassador
Fadhil noted that Morocco simply could not participate with
SDAR representatives present. The U.S. Ambassador clarified
that the conference was under the auspices of the African
Union, and that the USG had no control over whom the AU
extended invitations. The Ambassador hoped the situation
could be resolved, as it would be disappointing if the
Moroccans were not present at the conference. Fadhil said he
was frustrated with the lack of a response from the GOM,
adding that other countries (specifically mentioning Senegal
and Gabonese President Bongo) would never allow an invitation
to be extended. Fadhil added that he was puzzled why the
SDAR would be invited, since it neither administered
territory nor had resources to address the problem.


3. (SBU) Malian media sources have not yet covered the
controversy, but recently drew links between alleged Algerian
support for the SDAR and the Alliance for Democratic Change
(ADC),a group of disaffected Tauregs from Northern Mali.
Malian journalists left as an open question the motives
behind Algeria's support of two unrecognized organizations
that were working against the neighboring governments of Mali
and Morocco respectively.
McCulley