URGING MOROCCO TO MAKE PROGRESS ON THE WESTERN

S E C R E T RABAT 001678 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/MAG E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/07/2011 TAGS: PREL PGOV WI AG PBTS MO SUBJECT: URGING MOROCCO TO MAKE PROGRESS ON THE WESTERN SAHARA REF: STATE 148134 Classified By: Ambassador Thomas T. Riley, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S) On September 8, Ambassador delivered reftel talking points on the Western Sahara to Taieb Fassi Fihri, Minister-Delegate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Poloff accompanied Ambassador as note taker. Fassi Fihri indicated that he had already spoken with Moroccan Ambassador Mekouar following his meeting with A/S Welch and DNSA Abrams on September 7. ¶2. (S) Fassi Fihri said that he appreciated the Washington meeting, the evaluation of Morocco's "domestic preparations," and that the US is ready to talk to the GOM about the steps the GOM is taking. He also raised problems, however. Fassi Fihri indicated that he cannot say whether or not a viable autonomy plan will be presented prior to the UNSC review of MINURSO's mandate in the Western Sahara in October. Adding that the Polisario and Algeria are probably not willing to discuss a GOM autonomy plan, based on a paper recently submitted to representative states in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) prior to the upcoming meeting in Cuba, Fassi Fihri emphasized the difficulty of the GOM's position. Fassi Fihri said that CORCAS is not ready to present a plan and that he has no power to ensure the presentation of a plan prior to the October deadline. He told Ambassador that the process is a long one involving consultations and convincing of the political parties once CORCAS submits its plan. Following that process, the king will need to review the plan and the people must agree. ¶3. (S) Fassi Fihri wanted to be assured that the US would continue to support MINURSO even if a credible autonomy plan is not submitted in a timely manner. Ambassador told Fassi Fihri clearly, as he has on other occasions, that engagement between Morocco and other actors is necessary and that a substantive autonomy plan and implementation plan must be submitted or there will be no support for a MINURSO extension. ****************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ****************************************** RILEY