KING'S OPENING SPEECH TO PARLIAMENT FOCUSES ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 001951 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/MAG E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/16/2016 TAGS: PGOV PBTS PREL PHUM ECON MO SUBJECT: KING'S OPENING SPEECH TO PARLIAMENT FOCUSES ON TRANSPARENCY, PARTICIPATION IN ELECTORAL PROCESS REF: A. 05 RABAT 2166 ¶B. RABAT 1718 Classified By: Polcouns Craig Karp for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: In his annual speech to open parliament's fall session, King Mohamed VI on October 13 highlighted both his commitment to reform and determination to maintain overall control. He said next year's legislative elections must be open, transparent, and legitimate. He said the 2007 lower house elections must not have the same taint of corruption as the recent upper house elections, a point underscored by the exclusion from the speech of 17 members of parliament, under investigation for allegations of fraud and corruption. The King offered no tangible initiatives, however, and even neglected to mention the pending electoral law. The King also highlighted GOM efforts to reach a "consensual and final political solution" on the Western Sahara. The King's emphasis on transparency provides a good opening for the Mission's transformational diplomacy efforts to support democracy and free and fair elections in Morocco. End Summary. -------------- King Reaffirms Commitment to Reforms -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Continuing the tradition of previous speeches inaugurating the fall session of parliament, King Mohamed VI used this opportunity before his legislative branch on October 13 to review key Moroccan accomplishments and lay out the framework for parliament's upcoming legislative year. The King highlighted Morocco's recent achievements, including the adoption of the Family Code, the work of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission (IER),and an expansion of civil liberties. (Note: However, with no major reform achievements during the past year, the King was left to review dated reforms. End Note.) ¶3. (U) The King underscored his simultaneous determination to promote reform, but at the same time, still remain in charge, explaining that Morocco will "forge ahead with this irreversible, democratic approach, especially as the nation is steadfastly committed to the fundamental, immutable pledges of which I am the guarantor, and which are not affected by transient events, or shifts in majority." He also claimed that Morocco has "become a model in the area of democratic development." -------------- King Calls for Open and Transparent Elections -------------- ¶4. (U) The King's message was strong and tightly focused, urging "all concerned stakeholders" to secure the electoral process "against any illegal use of money or power." The King called on political parties to be particularly vigilant in preventing fraud or corruption related to next year's lower house elections, and to abstain from vote buying and illegal influencing. Additionally, the King directed the government to provide a political atmosphere conducive to free and fair elections. -------------- King Leaves Out Reference to Electoral Code -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Unlike last year's speech (ref A),where the King charged his government to adopt an electoral code one year before the election date, and widespread speculation that it would play a dominant role in this year's speech, the King made only veiled references to the code. He pushed Morocco's numerous political parties to consolidate, as would the proposed percentage threshold in the electoral code. He said political parties should forge alliances that will "support the emergence of a coherent majority and a constructive opposition." -------------- Democracy and Development, Hand-in-Hand -------------- ¶6. (SBU) The King pointed to the National Human Development Initiative (INDH),linking its aim for progress on curbing poverty to the strengthening of democratic principles, and called for increased citizen's participation in all aspects of the political process. However, he cautioned that there is "no ready-made recipe for true democracy," which must be "built gradually, by stages." -------------- -------------- Western Sahara: Guaranteeing Territorial Integrity -------------- -------------- ¶7. (U) Briefly touching on the Western Sahara, the King linked Morocco's past reform efforts to movement towards an autonomy plan that guarantees national unity and territorial integrity. Explaining his government efforts "to ensure large national participation and create strong local support in the development of an autonomy plan," the King said autonomy would bring a "consensual and final political solution, " within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty, to this "artificial dispute over the Moroccanness of those provinces." -------------- -------------- 17 Members of Parliament Excluded for Alleged Corruption -------------- -------------- ¶8. (U) While parliament was filled to its capacity, 17 members of parliament (MPs) were notably absent from the opening ceremony. 12 members of the House of Councilors (upper house) and 5 members of the House of Representatives (lower house),who are under investigation for alleged involvement in fraud and corruption related to last month's upper house elections (ref B),were prohibited from attending parliament's opening session by Moroccan authorities. On October 13, the 17 MPs were ordered to appear in court at the same time the King delivered his speech to parliament, according to several Moroccan media outlets. A total of 67 individuals, including members of parliament, civil servants, members of the private sector, and local representatives, are under investigation for fraud and corruption related to the upper house elections on September 8 (ref B),according to an October 12 Ministry of Justice communique. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶9. (C) The King's speech has been well received by both majority and opposition political parties, and the media, which cited his message that the 2007 elections should be open and transparent. The King has undoubtedly raised the stakes in his anti-corruption campaign. The expulsion of 17 parliamentarians and investigations into 50 other individuals for fraud is a sign that the taint of corruption on last month's upper house elections will not be tolerated. The King, in effect, has put the ball in the court of voters, political parties, and the government to produce successful and legitimate elections. The King's emphasis on transparent and legitimate elections may offer a good opening for the Mission's transformational diplomacy efforts to support Morocco's democratic evolution through a free and fair electoral process. ****************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ****************************************** BUSH