WESTERN SAHARA: MFA REVIEWS PARTY LINE, COMMENTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000197

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/MAG, IO, DRL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/07/2016
TAGS: KPKO PBTS PGOV PREL MO
SUBJECT: WESTERN SAHARA: MFA REVIEWS PARTY LINE, COMMENTS
ON GOM AUTONOMY PROPOSAL


Classified By: Pol/C Timothy Lenderking for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY AND COMMENT: On January 23, 2006 visiting
NEA/MAG Morocco Desk Officer Robert Ewing and Poloff paid a
courtesy call on MFA Director for UN Affairs Nasser Bourita.
Bourita said he had to "correct some misunderstandings"
concerning the Western Sahara and undertook a long argument
based on GOM interpretations of international law. He
explained that Morocco's presence in the Western Sahara is
not in violation of international legality, and that if
Morocco questions its presence in the Western Sahara, then it
must also question its presence in Fes, Marrakech, and
Tangier. Bourita stressed that the GOM saw Algeria to blame
for the conflict. Bourita added that autonomy is already a
concession in Morocco's eyes and any solution to the Western
Sahara must be final, with no transitional elements. While
discussing the human rights situation, Bourita stressed that
the GOM has the obligation and right to preserve the order
and protect its citizens from "enemies." Bourita is not a
decision-maker on the Western Sahara within the GOM (this
remains the province of a very small circle of close advisors
around the King),but he has followed the issue for many
years and is a faithful articulator of the party line, as he
is on the many UN issues he follows with considerable
expertise. END SUMMARY AND COMMENT.

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"Correct Some Misunderstandings"
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2. (SBU) Visiting Morocco Desk Officer Robert Ewing and
Poloff paid a courtesy call on new MFA Director for UN
Affairs Nasser Bourita January 23, 2006 to discuss the
Western Sahara. Bourita expressed thanks for the good
cooperation he enjoys with the American Embassy on bilateral
issues. Immediately turning to the Western Sahara, Bourita
said he felt it necessary to first "correct some
misunderstandings." He refuted the notion that Morocco's
presence in the Western Sahara is illegal, explaining that
the GOM views its presence in the "region" the same as it
views the GOM's presence in the rest of Morocco. He added
that if Morocco questions its presence in the Western Sahara,
then the GOM must also question its presence in Fes,
Marrakech, and Tangier, alluding to Moroccan history.


3. (SBU) Bourita continued that, despite what may be written
in the press, Morocco is not obstructing international
legality. He noted that the GOM is not in violation of any
international binding agreements with respect to the Western
Sahara, and that the GOM does not consider the Baker Plan
international law and saw the UN role as assisting all
parties in finding a solution.


4. (SBU) Alluding to US remarks that the GOM should open a
dialogue with the Polisario, Bourita emphasized that the
Polisario is not the representative of the Saharan people and
the conflict continues to exist because Algeria wants it to
continue. Deskoff noted that if this were the case, then the
GOM should thus allow a variety of political viewpoints to
thrive in the Sahara so that such other voices could be
heard. Bourita continued that the GOM considers all
residents in the Western Sahara to be Moroccans. He argued
that if Algeria wanted a solution to the Western Sahara, one
would be found because Algeria is involved militarily and
diplomatically in this conflict.


5. (SBU) Bourita noted that Morocco was the first party to
propose negotiations as a means to settling issues in part
because Moroccans have a long tradition of negotiations in
their history. For example, the Madrid Accord of 1974 was
the direct result of negotiations with Spain. Bourita
asserted that Algeria, on the other hand, has a history of
settling disputes through revolution and referendum.

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One Problem with Algeria
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6. (SBU) Deskoff stressed the need for regional integration
throughout the Maghreb, to which Bourita agreed but added the

caveat that such is hardly possible with the Sahara dispute.
He stressed concrete Moroccan gestures that were followed by
rhetorical exchanges and a tepid Algerian response. Bourita
concluded that Morocco is open to those who want to bridge
the gap between parties, but its doors are closed to those
with an agenda.

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A Final Solution
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7. (SBU) Deskoff stessed the need for Morocco to present a
full and comprehensive autonomy proposal and asked Bourita
for his views on the way forward. Bourita responded that an
autonomy proposal could be presented before the Secretary
General releases his next report in late April; however, he
stressed that autonomy in the minds of the GOM is already a
concession. Any proposal submitted to the UN would be based
on three factors: First, a Moroccan proposal should be
viewed as a response to the request for a proposal from UNSYG
Personal Envoy Van Walsum. Second, an agreed upon solution
will be final, not transitional. Third, the proposal will
conform to international law and UN practices.

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Right to Preserve Order
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8. (SBU) Deskoff stessed concern over the human rights
situation in the Western Sahara, noting protests underscore
the potential for instability. We suggested the GOM exercise
restraint and allow a variety of viewpoints to thrive. Free
access by the media was critical. Bourita responded that it
is not Morocco's intention to have a democracy in the North
and a dictatorship in the South. Bourita noted that the GOM,
like any other country, has the obligation and right to
preserve order and protect its citizens. Bourita stressed
that nobody in the Western Sahara has been incarcerated for
expressing opinions; "in all cases people have been injured,
cars have been burned, etc." The policemen in the Western
Sahara, like anywhere else in Morocco, defend themselves and
preserve order because the justice in Laayoune is no
different than the justice in Casablanca, explained Bourita.
Residents of the Western Sahara are free to say what they
want, but they are not free to threaten lives and the
property of others. Morocco has the right to protect the
country against its "enemies." He expressed his desire for
the same transparency on "the other side. Deskoff noted we
deliver the same message to Algiers.


9. (U) Morocco desk officer has cleared this cable.
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Riley