Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06RABAT1093
2006-06-06 14:28:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Rabat
Cable title:
THE FOREIGN MINISTER AND THE U.S. STATEMENT ON IRAN
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C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 001093
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/MAG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2011
TAGS: IR PGOV PREL PBTS PINR MO
SUBJECT: THE FOREIGN MINISTER AND THE U.S. STATEMENT ON IRAN
REF: A. STATE 87682
B. RABAT 01043
Classified By: Ambassador Thomas T. Riley, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 001093
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/MAG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2011
TAGS: IR PGOV PREL PBTS PINR MO
SUBJECT: THE FOREIGN MINISTER AND THE U.S. STATEMENT ON IRAN
REF: A. STATE 87682
B. RABAT 01043
Classified By: Ambassador Thomas T. Riley, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) On the margins of a meeting with Under Secretary for
Public Diplomacy Karen Hughes, the Ambassador met with
Foreign Minister Benaissa on June 5 to reinforce the May 31
conversation the DCM had with the MFA Secretary Geeral Omar
Hilale on the U.S. Statement on Iran (eftels A and B). The
Ambassador emphasized the .S. desire for diplomacy to
succeed with Iran and the importance of Secretary Rice's May
31 announcement saying that the U.S. is willing to join with
the United Kingdom, France and Germany in negotiations with
Iran. The Ambassador underscored the importance of a public
statement by the Government of Morocco (GOM) in support of
the USG's important step and for its willingness to reach out
to Iran in combination with members of the European Union.
2. (C) The Ambassador also mentioned statements attributed
to Benaissa in the press about Morocco-Iran relations
following the foreign ministers of the Non-Aligned Movement
meeting in Malaysia. The Ambassador urged Benaissa to use
his influence with Iran to support U.S. and international
efforts for a diplomatic solution. Under Secretary Hughes
underlined the importance of this move for the U.S. Benaissa
immediately said he did not approve, but he also did not
deny, the May 31 statement's release in which he reportedly
called for closer Moroccan-Iranian ties. (Note: The
release, attributed to a Malaysian news source, says:
"Speaking in a meeting with his Iranian counterpart
Manouchehr Mottaki, he (Benaissa) underlined the need to
create proper grounds for upgrading ties and open a new
chapter of cooperation between the two countries. He
(Benaissa) pointed to the significance of the potentials of
both countries in two strategic regions and said that
expansion of ties between Islamic states is important.
Meanwhile, he declared that his country is willing to
increase such cooperation. At the meeting, the Moroccan
foreign minister invited Mottaki to visit his country." End
Note.) Benaissa made clear that he did not think highly of
the Iranian president, and regarded him as uncultured. He
said Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki had made clear the
limitations of his role as foreign minister in Iran's current
political climate.
3. (C) Comment: Benaissa was likely currying favor by
disparaging the Iranian president. Benaissa continued the
conversation by reiterating his long-standing view that the
Mission's perceived contact with unidentified "Islamists" is
not productive, e.g., "they hate the U.S. and they are
undermining the GOM." Benaissa recommended that the Mission
ignore them. (Note: Benaissa may have been referring to the
Justice and Charity Organization (JCO). He was probably not
referring to the Justice and Development Party (PJD),as he
usually names the party. End Note.) Benaissa also
underscored for Under Secretary Hughes the importance of the
Western Sahara to the GOM. He requested the support of the
USG for Morocco's efforts on the Western Sahara, which he
called the "lifeblood" of Morocco. End Comment.
******************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
******************************************
Riley
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/MAG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2011
TAGS: IR PGOV PREL PBTS PINR MO
SUBJECT: THE FOREIGN MINISTER AND THE U.S. STATEMENT ON IRAN
REF: A. STATE 87682
B. RABAT 01043
Classified By: Ambassador Thomas T. Riley, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) On the margins of a meeting with Under Secretary for
Public Diplomacy Karen Hughes, the Ambassador met with
Foreign Minister Benaissa on June 5 to reinforce the May 31
conversation the DCM had with the MFA Secretary Geeral Omar
Hilale on the U.S. Statement on Iran (eftels A and B). The
Ambassador emphasized the .S. desire for diplomacy to
succeed with Iran and the importance of Secretary Rice's May
31 announcement saying that the U.S. is willing to join with
the United Kingdom, France and Germany in negotiations with
Iran. The Ambassador underscored the importance of a public
statement by the Government of Morocco (GOM) in support of
the USG's important step and for its willingness to reach out
to Iran in combination with members of the European Union.
2. (C) The Ambassador also mentioned statements attributed
to Benaissa in the press about Morocco-Iran relations
following the foreign ministers of the Non-Aligned Movement
meeting in Malaysia. The Ambassador urged Benaissa to use
his influence with Iran to support U.S. and international
efforts for a diplomatic solution. Under Secretary Hughes
underlined the importance of this move for the U.S. Benaissa
immediately said he did not approve, but he also did not
deny, the May 31 statement's release in which he reportedly
called for closer Moroccan-Iranian ties. (Note: The
release, attributed to a Malaysian news source, says:
"Speaking in a meeting with his Iranian counterpart
Manouchehr Mottaki, he (Benaissa) underlined the need to
create proper grounds for upgrading ties and open a new
chapter of cooperation between the two countries. He
(Benaissa) pointed to the significance of the potentials of
both countries in two strategic regions and said that
expansion of ties between Islamic states is important.
Meanwhile, he declared that his country is willing to
increase such cooperation. At the meeting, the Moroccan
foreign minister invited Mottaki to visit his country." End
Note.) Benaissa made clear that he did not think highly of
the Iranian president, and regarded him as uncultured. He
said Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki had made clear the
limitations of his role as foreign minister in Iran's current
political climate.
3. (C) Comment: Benaissa was likely currying favor by
disparaging the Iranian president. Benaissa continued the
conversation by reiterating his long-standing view that the
Mission's perceived contact with unidentified "Islamists" is
not productive, e.g., "they hate the U.S. and they are
undermining the GOM." Benaissa recommended that the Mission
ignore them. (Note: Benaissa may have been referring to the
Justice and Charity Organization (JCO). He was probably not
referring to the Justice and Development Party (PJD),as he
usually names the party. End Note.) Benaissa also
underscored for Under Secretary Hughes the importance of the
Western Sahara to the GOM. He requested the support of the
USG for Morocco's efforts on the Western Sahara, which he
called the "lifeblood" of Morocco. End Comment.
******************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
******************************************
Riley