Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06RABAT1678
2006-09-08 17:16:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Rabat
Cable title:
URGING MOROCCO TO MAKE PROGRESS ON THE WESTERN
VZCZCXYZ0010 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHRB #1678 2511716 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 081716Z SEP 06 FM AMEMBASSY RABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4630 INFO RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS IMMEDIATE 4148 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE 3090 RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID IMMEDIATE 5574 RUEHNK/AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT IMMEDIATE 3311 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS IMMEDIATE 4377 RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS IMMEDIATE 9050 RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA IMMEDIATE 2115 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0587
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).
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
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