Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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06RABAT115 | 2006-01-24 14:48:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Rabat |
VZCZCXRO0288 OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHMOS DE RUEHRB #0115/01 0241448 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 241448Z JAN 06 FM AMEMBASSY RABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2572 INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA PRIORITY 1123 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0418 RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA PRIORITY 0023 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY |
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RABAT 000115 |
1. (C) Summary: Deputy FM Taieb Fassi Fihri told the Ambassador January 19 that Iranian Envoy Musavi would visit Morocco January 20 but would not be received by the King. Morocco would listen to Musavi but would express concern over Iranian behavior and warn Iran not to take advantage of turmoil in the Middle East to "pour oil on the fire." Morocco worried that Iran's behavior would undermine IAEA progress to promote non-proliferation, with negative consequences for Morocco's peaceful nuclear program. Fassi Fihri also drew attention to worrisome solidarity between Iran and Algeria. Fassi Fihri said Iran's Ambassador to Morocco was being ostracized after mischaracterizing in the press a recent meeting with Fassi Fihri and would not be received at the MFA at a senior level "for a long time." End Summary. 2. (C) During a one-hour meeting January 19 to discuss UN reform (septel) and Iran as requested reftels, and also touching on Western Sahara (septel), Deputy Foreign Minister Taieb Fassi Fihri told the Ambassador that Iranian Vice President in Charge of Parliamentary Affairs and Special Envoy Musavi would be visiting Morocco the following day, January 20. Fassi Fihri explained that Musavi was visiting the region in the context of the current crisis with Iran over its nuclear program. 3. (C) Fassi Fihri said that the King had decided against receiving Musavi; PM Jettou would see him instead. (Note: Jettou did meet with Musavi on January 20, but there has been little discussion thus far in the press about the visit beyond factual reporting. We understand that Musavi also met with the heads of the upper and lower houses of parliament). Fassi Fihri stressed that Morocco's position on nuclear development was clear: if research and development were for peaceful purposes, and aimed to benefit the people, then Morocco generally supported nuclear development. Indeed, the cost of producing energy from other sources dictated that Morocco explore nuclear energy as well. Concern with Algeria -------------------------- 4. (C) Morocco was nevertheless concerned about Algerian support for Iran. Fassi Fihri said he was "surprised" by the apparent degree of solidarity between Algeria and Iran. Morocco was struck by President Bouteflika's remarks two months ago that Algeria must develop a nuclear program, even while Algeria already produces oil and gas. On top of that, Algeria had signed another deal with Russia two days earlier to buy MIGs -- a new contract, beyond what the Algerians bought last year, for the latest model MIG fighter jets. Morocco's Nuclear Program -------------------------- 5. (C) Ambassador noted that he had visited Morocco's nuclear research reactor at the GOM's National Center for Energy, Science, and Nuclear Techniques (CNESTEN) earlier in the day. The Ambassador noted that US contractors had been involved in the construction of the plant (it is not yet operating), that the level of CNESTEN's industrial research was advanced, and that the training opportunities for the region were substantial. He noted the high level of English proficiency among the staff. Fassi Fihri added that CNESTEN's human resources were top-notch. 6. (C) The Ambassador said he had asked the Director of CNESTEN informally what he thought of Iran's nuclear program. The Director had said there was no justification to develop a nuclear program if a country already had oil, and there was no technical reason for Iran to want to do nuclear research. 7. (C) Fassi Fihri said that if Iran continued to develop a nuclear program, it would disrupt all the efforts and progress the IAEA had made in recent years to promote non-proliferation. As a developing country Morocco would be among those to pay for Iran's actions. Morocco's goal was to cooperate with the IAEA, implement the relevant treaties and sign the appropriate international protocols. Iran threatened to stop the IAEA's progress, and technical assistance to countries like Morocco could be reduced. RABAT 00000115 002 OF 002 8. (C) Fassi Fihri said the GOM would "listen" to Musavi, but would also express its concern to him about Iranian behavior. Fassi Fihri noted that Morocco would become a member of the IAEA council of governors at the next meeting in July. Iran Exploiting Turmoil -------------------------- 9. (C) Fassi Fihri continued that Moroccan concern with Iran extended to the political level as well, where Iran insisted that since Israel had nuclear power, Iran should as well. Iran's cry that "no one can impose on us" was partly a way of exploiting the situation in Iraq. Iran was counting on the fact that the US was overextended in the Middle East and would not be able to hold a tough line against Iran. Iran was in the meantime building links with the Shia of Iraq. Fassi Fihri noted that the US appeared to want to manage Iran in the UN context, and Ambassador Bolton had made that clear. 10. (C) Fassi Fihri said the GOM would tell Musavi very clearly that the situation was already too explosive in the Middle East, and the region could not afford another crisis. In addition to Iraq, there were upcoming elections for Palestinians and Iraqis. Another crisis instigated by Iran would be putting "oil on the fire." Iranian Ambassador in the GOM Dog House -------------------------- 11. (C) Fassi Fihri said he had met Iranian Ambassador Masjed Jamee for the first time three weeks ago. He had convoked the ambassador in part after receiving some signals from American Jewish groups concerned about Ahmedinejad's remarks about Israel. Fassi Fihri told Masjed Jamee that Morocco and Iran do not share the same views on Middle East peace. Masjed Jamee subsequently made a statement to the press, picked up in Algeria, that he had explored with Fassi Fihri how to enhance dialogue between Iran and Morocco in light of their "same positions" on the Middle East (Note: The Morocco Times on December 27 also did a story on the meeting, noting that Fassi Fihri himself said Morocco is keen on enhancing ties with Islamic countries, particularly Iran, and would prepare the ground for exchanges in the political, cultural, and economic fields. End Note). Fassi Fihri said Masjed Jamee had no right to publish anything concerning the meeting with Fassi Fihri, let alone to distort what had been said. As a result, Fassi Fihri had issued instructions that Masjed Jamee would be received by MFA Director of Arab and Islamic Affairs Azeroual and not anyone more senior "for a long time." ****************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ****************************************** Riley |