Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06RABAT1540
2006-08-15 09:43:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Rabat
Cable title:  

2006 THRONE DAY SPEECH: MORE CONFIDENCE, LESS

Tags:  PGOV PINR PHUM PREL MO 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHRB #1540/01 2270943
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 150943Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY RABAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4461
INFO RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS 4121
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 3067
RUEHNK/AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT 3282
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 4348
RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS 9008
RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA 2010
C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 001540 

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/MAG, NEA/PI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/14/2011
TAGS: PGOV PINR PHUM PREL MO
SUBJECT: 2006 THRONE DAY SPEECH: MORE CONFIDENCE, LESS

REFORM

REF: A. 05 RABAT 01612

B. RABAT 00918

C. RABAT 01450

Classified By: A/Polcouns Cherie Lenzen, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 001540

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/MAG, NEA/PI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/14/2011
TAGS: PGOV PINR PHUM PREL MO
SUBJECT: 2006 THRONE DAY SPEECH: MORE CONFIDENCE, LESS

REFORM

REF: A. 05 RABAT 01612

B. RABAT 00918

C. RABAT 01450

Classified By: A/Polcouns Cherie Lenzen, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: King Mohammed VI delivered his seventh
Throne Day speech on July 30 (reftel C). This year's speech
followed the model established in his 1999 speech -- a
recapitulation of accomplishments over the past year. Only
the 2004 and 2005 (reftel A) speeches diverged from the
accomplishments model and served as a national forum to
promote initiatives. The 2004 and 2005 speeches emphasized
new ideas and projects within his governance model rather
than listing the Government of Morocco's (GOM) achievements.
This year's speech suggests the king is focused on following
through with initiatives already underway, rather than
launching new ones. The king laid responsibility for
democratic and economic change on all stakeholders, citizens
and the government, while not specifically mentioning civil
society. Positive relationships with Europe and Africa were
detailed as was the king's strong condemnation of Israeli
actions in Gaza and in Lebanon. He presented the resolution
of the Western Sahara issue as if there is international
agreement on the territory being Moroccan with autonomy. End
Summary.

--------------
Internal Relations
--------------


2. (C) Social development continued to be a crucial theme
in the king's speech; however, the idea of "responsible
citizenship," developed in the 2005 speech, was modified.
Although the king emphasized the importance of voting as a
national duty, he also hinted at the responsibility of the
GOM to take care of citizens. (Note: The GOM is the king's
government by the constitution, reftel B. End Note.) In
2005, the king said "responsible citizenship" is
"instrumental" in helping to implement National Initiative of
Human Development (INDH) projects. He outlined GOM attempts
to encourage development and said that they would not be
fully achieved until Moroccans show "greater entrepreneurship

and become, once again, actively involved in stimulating the
economy and boosting productivity." The king also "reminded"
everyone that the battle against unemployment required
"collective endeavors." Changing his tone this year, the
king said that the GOM would "liberate" people from "poverty,
exclusion and marginalization," in effect making the task the
GOM's responsibility rather than that of the people. The
king implied that those who suffer from these "social ills,"
i.e., poverty, exclusion, marginalization, are not given the
chance to "enjoy their rights or fulfill their obligations."


3. (C) The king made educational reform a "top priority" in
his 2005 speech with the creation of the Higher Council for
Education; however, in this year's speech he seemed
frustrated with the lack of progress. This year he stressed
that the need for educational reform is "urgent." For the
king, education is crucial to "shaping the nation's future."


4. (C) With the 2007 parliamentary elections approaching,
the king emphasized the importance of political
participation. This year he stressed that voting is a
"constitutional right," "a national duty," and an
"obligation" of citizens. The king said that "democracy
would have little meaning without the citizens' involvement,"
and he emphasized the direct link between citizens and those
they elect to manage public affairs. In the past, the king
only encouraged citizens to enhance democracy through
realizing "community spirit." (Comment: In 2002, voter
turnout was 34.6 percent of the eligible voters. Seventeen
percent of the ballots cast were spoiled or blank. In 1997,
voter turnout was over 50 percent. Because of the poor
turnout in 2002, the king lowered the voting age to 18 from

20. End Comment.)

--------------
External Relations
--------------


5. (C) Although the king has mentioned deepening regional
and international partnerships in past speeches, this year he

outlined in great detail his hopes for deepening Morocco's
relationships with the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU),the European
Union (EU),Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas. He
referred to Africa and Lebanon as Morocco's "sisters," and
Palestine as "brother." (Note: August 7 French language
press reported that twenty-five African countries
representatives, who were attending the Assilah cultural
festival, called for Morocco to re-join the African Union
(AU). End Note.)


6. (C) In 2005, the king emphasized Morocco's relationship
with countries to the "North" and the "South," i.e., Europe
and Africa, over partnerships with other Arab countries.
This year, however, he supported both the Palestinians and
Lebanon. He said: "I ... strongly condemn the Israeli war
machine's blatant act of aggression against Palestinian
civilians and their vital infrastructure and institutions."
And, as chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, he continued: "I
ask the international community to fully shoulder its
responsibility in order to stop the violation of holy shrines
and to ensure that the legal status of Al-Quds al-Sharif is
respected." Concerning Lebanon, the king said: "I strongly
condemn the Israeli aggression against our sister nation
Lebanon . . . and (I) call on the United Nations to take
decisive action in order to prevent any escalation or
widening of military operations . . ."

--------------
The Western Sahara
--------------


7. (C) The king's tone on the Western Sahara changed
significantly. He used much less colorful language and was
less aggressive than in his 2005 speech. For example, in
2005, he called the dispute "artificial" and considered
Morocco the "compassionate, merciful homeland." In the 2006
speech, however, he did not mention Algeria while discussing
the Western Sahara. This year, the king indicated he would
grant the territories "autonomous rule, within the framework
of the kingdom's sovereignty, national unity and territorial
integrity," which in his 2005 speech he said would be granted
only after "meaningful negotiations" and a UN-backed
solution.

--------------
Comparative Themes
--------------


8. (C) Several ideas have seemingly grown in importance,
based on an analysis of the frequency of certain words in the
king's speech. For example, the king stressed the word
"confidence" amongst citizens and in Morocco's government and
future, saying the word 17 times in 2006 compared to two
times in 2005 and none in 2004. Other words he emphasized in
the 2006 speech included "development" (24 times compared to
17 times in 2005 and 19 times in 2004),"future" (16 times
compared to none in 2005 or 2004),"democracy" (14 times in
2006, 11 times in 2005, and 17 times in 2004),"unity" (13
times in 2006, 3 times in 2005, 2 times in 2004),and "faith"
(6 times in 2006, 2 times in 2005, and 4 times in 2004).
While the king stressed "confidence" and the "future," he
focused less on words such as "reform" (6 times in 2006
compared to 9 in 2005 and 19 in 2004) and "patriotism" (1
time in 2006 compared to 6 times in 2005 and none in 2004).

--------------
Comment
--------------


9. (C) The king's approach in this year's speech was to
emphasize not only his role as the leader of the country but
also the importance of the community of all Moroccans. He
obligated citizens to take responsibility for the realization
of his plans and "to create new momentum." Emphasizing
Morocco's integration into the AU and its relationships with
the EU underscores the king's desire that Morocco play a
substantial role internationally. Use of such words as
"confidence," "security," and "stability" throughout the
speech communicates the management of terrorism-related
issues. He presents the Western Sahara autonomy plan as a
"fait accompli" and as having international support, although
he fails to define the plan.

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