Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06RABAT1470
2006-08-01 18:32:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Rabat
how-toVZCZCXRO7386 OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK DE RUEHRB #1470 2131832 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 011832Z AUG 06 FM AMEMBASSY RABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4382 INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE 3042 RUEHNK/AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT IMMEDIATE 3259 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS IMMEDIATE 4325 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV IMMEDIATE 3472 RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA IMMEDIATE 1964
C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 001470
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/01/2011
TAGS: MO PGOV PHUM
SUBJECT: THE MFA DISCUSSES LEBANON
REF: A. A) STATE 124950
B. B) STATE 124956
C. C) BEIRUT 2499
D. D) RABAT 1450
Classified By: Ambassador Thomas T. Riley for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 001470
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/01/2011
TAGS: MO PGOV PHUM
SUBJECT: THE MFA DISCUSSES LEBANON
REF: A. A) STATE 124950
B. B) STATE 124956
C. C) BEIRUT 2499
D. D) RABAT 1450
Classified By: Ambassador Thomas T. Riley for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: On August 1, Taieb Fassi Fihri, Minister
Delegate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA),
requested a meeting with the Ambassador. Ambassador and
Fassi Fihri met for more than two hours and discussed the
Western Sahara (septel) and recent events in Lebanon,
particularly the impact the Israeli bombing of Qana is
having on public opinion (reftels A, B, C). Fassi
Fihri's perceptions are that the situation is changing
rapidly; he expressed his serious concerns about the impact
this event is having on the Middle East and the entire Arab
world. End Summary.
2. (C) Fassi Fihri told the Ambassador about Morocco's
long history of assisting with the problems in the Middle
East and in Lebanon specifically. Fassi Fihri emphasized
that the GOM has always helped and has had an interest in
resolving problems. Once Israel left Lebanon, Fassi Fihri
added, he thought resolution had been reached. Now,
however, the bombing of Qana has changed the entire
situation, according to Fassi Fihri. He said that "two
days ago, a whole number of new terrorists were born."
3. (C) The GOM, according to Fassi Fihri, condemns
Hizballah and knows it is being supported by Syria and
Iran. No independent group should take over a
sovereign nation, he said. Fassi Fihri noted that the
King's speech (reftel D) singled out the bombing of
civilians as not being acceptable. He emphasized that the
King and the GOM desire balance between action and
reaction.
4. (C) Fassi Fihri repeated the USG's three
requirements: a ceasefire, a political agreement between
Israel and Lebanon, and the authorization of an
international peacekeeping force. Ambassador elaborated on
these points by saying that agreement on political
principles will lead to a long-term settlement. Fassi
Fihri reiterated his grave concern that the situation might
unravel. RILEY
******************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
******************************************
RILEY
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/01/2011
TAGS: MO PGOV PHUM
SUBJECT: THE MFA DISCUSSES LEBANON
REF: A. A) STATE 124950
B. B) STATE 124956
C. C) BEIRUT 2499
D. D) RABAT 1450
Classified By: Ambassador Thomas T. Riley for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: On August 1, Taieb Fassi Fihri, Minister
Delegate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA),
requested a meeting with the Ambassador. Ambassador and
Fassi Fihri met for more than two hours and discussed the
Western Sahara (septel) and recent events in Lebanon,
particularly the impact the Israeli bombing of Qana is
having on public opinion (reftels A, B, C). Fassi
Fihri's perceptions are that the situation is changing
rapidly; he expressed his serious concerns about the impact
this event is having on the Middle East and the entire Arab
world. End Summary.
2. (C) Fassi Fihri told the Ambassador about Morocco's
long history of assisting with the problems in the Middle
East and in Lebanon specifically. Fassi Fihri emphasized
that the GOM has always helped and has had an interest in
resolving problems. Once Israel left Lebanon, Fassi Fihri
added, he thought resolution had been reached. Now,
however, the bombing of Qana has changed the entire
situation, according to Fassi Fihri. He said that "two
days ago, a whole number of new terrorists were born."
3. (C) The GOM, according to Fassi Fihri, condemns
Hizballah and knows it is being supported by Syria and
Iran. No independent group should take over a
sovereign nation, he said. Fassi Fihri noted that the
King's speech (reftel D) singled out the bombing of
civilians as not being acceptable. He emphasized that the
King and the GOM desire balance between action and
reaction.
4. (C) Fassi Fihri repeated the USG's three
requirements: a ceasefire, a political agreement between
Israel and Lebanon, and the authorization of an
international peacekeeping force. Ambassador elaborated on
these points by saying that agreement on political
principles will lead to a long-term settlement. Fassi
Fihri reiterated his grave concern that the situation might
unravel. RILEY
******************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
******************************************
RILEY