Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06RABAT1497
2006-08-08 11:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Rabat
Cable title:  

DEPUTY MINISTER FASSI FIHRI MEETS WITH AMBASSADOR

Tags:  PGOV PREL PHUM PBTS MO 
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ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 081124Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY RABAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4418
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE 3054
RUEHNK/AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT IMMEDIATE 3269
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS IMMEDIATE 4335
RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA IMMEDIATE 1984
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 RABAT 001497 

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/MAG, NEA/I

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2011
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PBTS MO
SUBJECT: DEPUTY MINISTER FASSI FIHRI MEETS WITH AMBASSADOR
ZALMAY KHALILZAD

Classified By: Ambassador Thomas T. Riley, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 RABAT 001497

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/MAG, NEA/I

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2011
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PBTS MO
SUBJECT: DEPUTY MINISTER FASSI FIHRI MEETS WITH AMBASSADOR
ZALMAY KHALILZAD

Classified By: Ambassador Thomas T. Riley, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: On August 3, Taieb Fassi Fihri, the Deputy
Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA),met with
Ambassador Riley and the US Ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay
Khalilzad, for a courtesy call. Ambassador Khalilzad was in
Morocco for other meetings with UAE officials. The
conversation also touched on the current situation in
Lebanon, Syria and Iran. Mohammed Azeroual, Director General
of Multilateral Relations and Global Cooperation, attended
the meeting along with Poloff (note taker). Ambassador
Khalilzad briefed Fassi Fihri on the current situation in
Iraq, emphasizing the US commitment to maintaining Iraq's
borders and solving the sectarian disputes. Ambassador
Khalilzad requested the GOM's support with the Arab League
for building a credible Iraqi state. He assured Fassi Fihri
that stabilizing and enhancing the political structures in
Iraq is of primary importance. Fassi Fihri stated that the
GOM supports the US in Iraq, but thinks that the current
situation in Lebanon may be exacerbating the situation. He
suggested that an immediate cease-fire is necessary and the
Israel/Palestinian problem must be solved. End Summary.

--------------
Fassi Fihri Discusses Morocco
--------------


2. (C) Deputy Minister of the MFA, Taieb Fassi Fihri, met
with Ambassador Riley and Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad on
August 3. Fassi Fihri began the meeting by giving an
overview of what he termed the "good movement" in Morocco.
He identified the upcoming 2007 elections as the best in the
Arab and Muslim world because the process is transparent. He
noted the existence of the Justice and Development Party
(PJD) as an "Islamist" party but did not elaborate on its
role in the political process. Fassi Fihri said that
progress is being made in developing Morocco's infrastructure
and that there are a number of dynamic nongovernmental
organizations (NGO). He said that there had been no progress

in Morocco's relations with Algeria and that he suspects the
problem is a generational difference between the two leaders.
He lamented that Algeria will not send officials to Morocco
and pointed out that Morocco sends officials to Algeria. The
relationship with Mauritania is good, according to Fassi
Fihri, and is focused on stability and security issues. He
emphasized that the GOM is working on an autonomy proposal
for the Western Sahara, which he identified as the "Sahara
Issue." Fassi Fihri described the process as dynamic and
inclusive, but admitted that including the Polisario is a
stumbling block for some. Fassi Fihri called the Maghreb "the
rational area of the Arab world."

--------------
Ambassador Khalilzad Discusses Iraq
--------------


3. (C) Ambassador Khalilzad updated Fassi Fihri on Iraq by
saying it is in a difficult transition period. Sunni Arabs
initially felt that the change in the regime was at their
expense, whereas the Shi'a Arabs and the Kurdish population
welcomed the change, according to Ambassador Khalilzad.
Progress has been made in integrating Sunni Arabs in the
political process. He added that there are two major issues
-- internally, the sectarian divisions will allow Al-Qa'ida
to take advantage of the situation; and, externally, not all
of Iraq's neighbors support the new national unity
government. Prime Minister Al-Maliki is strong, according to
Ambassador Khalilzad, and he is making efforts to have the
various groups reconcile. The next step, he pointed out, is
to incorporate the Sunni insurgents and demobilize, disarm
and reintegrate militias -- the bulk of which are Shiite.


4. (C) Fassi Fihri asked whether there was space for
informal discussions among Iraqi leaders. Ambassador
Khalilzad assured him that there is and said that a National
Reconciliation Higher Commission exists. He identified the
three Iraq problem areas as the enhancement of the security
institutions, that political leaders must take responsibility
for militia forces under them, and that the insurgency
groups, including the Sunni militia, must be reduced.


5. (C) Fassi Fihri questioned whether the US is committed
to the unity of Iraq. Ambassador Khalilzad assured him that
the US is committed at the highest levels of government. Oil
and gas belong to all of the Iraqis, according to the

RABAT 00001497 002 OF 003


constitution, said Ambassador Khalilzad. Fassi Fihri asked
if the Kurds want to leave Iraq. Ambassador Khalilzad said
definitely not as they have an autonomous area which is
prospering and they receive money from the central
government. If the sectarian divide is managed well, the
country will thrive, said Ambassador Khalilzad. He also
added that the US cannot leave Iraq until Iraqis can stand on
their own feet.

--------------
Syria and Iran
--------------


6. (C) Fassi Fihri asked what Syria's role in the
insurgencies and the region is. Ambassador Khalilzad
responded that Iran is happy that the Shi'a have the power in
Iraq, but is supporting ex-Ba'athists and encouraging attacks
on the coalition. Syria is also helping Ba'athist
insurgents.


7. (C) From Fassi Fihri's perspective, Bashar al-Asad is
incapable of separating Syria from Iran. He said that "we
must help him" and that Spain, on behalf of the EU, has been
trying to assist. Syria has an opportunity at the present
time to have an indirect dialogue with the US to remove
Hizballah from Syria and to break its ties with Iran,
according to Fassi Fihri. He offered the GOM's assistance in
this dialogue.

--------------
The Impact of Lebanon
--------------


8. (C) Fassi Fihri asked whether or not the current
situation in Lebanon will complicate US efforts in Iraq.
Ambassador Khalilzad responded by saying that the Shi'a are
worried. Fassi Fihri wondered if Hassan Nasrallah is
becoming a "star." Ambassador Khalilzad said the impact will
depend on the outcome of the conflict. There is a risk that
Iran might encourage Iraqi Shiite extremists to increase
attacks on the coalition because of Lebanon. Fassi Fihri
countered by saying the "people need a star;" they are
waiting for the next Salah edh-Din. With Saudi Arabia having
a Shi'a population in the east and Bahrain being Shi'a, Fassi
Fihri believes Hizballah will have an impact and that Israel
has lost its international image because of this war. It is
in the next few days, according to Fassi Fihri, when we will
know -- the UNSC should require a cease-fire. Ambassador
Khalilzad said that he had the strong impression that the US
will push for a cease-fire, assist Lebanon with humanitarian
aid and engagement in a sustainable peace process.


9. (C) Fassi Fihri pointed out that, if the West gives
Israel more time, people will think the war is part of a
conspiracy against them and that Iran is truly the West's
target. He added that the Arab World needs the US to solve
the Israel/Palestine problem. He also pointed out that the
GOM would support US peace initiatives and will continue to
support the US in Iraq. Ambassador Khalilzad encouraged
Fassi Fihri to assist the Arab League in playing a positive
role. Al-Asad must "look to his future," according to Fassi
Fihri.

--------------
The Kidnapped Moroccans
--------------


10. (C) Fassi Fihri, when discussing the militia groups
with Ambassador Khalilzad, brought up the two Moroccans who
were kidnapped on the road to Jordan in 2005. He pointed out
that the GOM had opened its embassy immediately following the
war as a gesture of support for rebuilding Iraq. Fassi Fihri
believes the two men are dead, even after the GOM worked with
religious leaders in an attempt to secure the men's release.
Presently, the GOM has only one or two representatives in
Baghdad. Ambassador Khalilzad offered US assistance; Fassi
Fihri said that Iraq must guarantee Moroccans' security and
that it cannot do so. (Note: Fassi Fihri said the
Government of Iraq sends a letter to assigned diplomats
saying their security cannot be guaranteed. End Note.) The
GOM is, however, according to Fassi Fihri, interested in
maintaining its relationship with Iraq.


11. This cable was cleared by Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad.
******************************************

RABAT 00001497 003 OF 003


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