MOROCCO AND THE NATO-MIDDLE EAST COOPERATION CENTER

C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 002023 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/MAG E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/19/2016 TAGS: NATO PGOV PREL MARR MO SUBJECT: MOROCCO AND THE NATO-MIDDLE EAST COOPERATION CENTER REF: A. USNATO 604 ¶B. RABAT 1283 Classified By: DCM Wayne J. Bush for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Embassy would like to take this opportunity to remind US Mission to NATO that, in addition to countries mentioned ref A, Morocco has also expressed tentative interest in hosting the NATO-Middle East Cooperation Center. Should other potential host countries decide in the end not to host the center and given Morocco's stated support for initiatives that contribute to the stability of the region (ref B), Embassy Rabat would propose we take a fresh look at the possibility of Morocco hosting the center. Although highly interested in the idea, Morocco has on several occasions expressed an interest in receiving more comprehensive information regarding the center, beyond what was provided in the U.S/UK/Italian/ Norwegian concept paper. Morocco is particularly interested in details that would clarify the overall objectives of the center, as well as information on who will pay for the center and through what mechanism. ¶2. (C) In addition, Embassy recommends that USNATO and the Department consider the possibility of Morocco hosting a mobile training team. Offering this opportunity would provide Morocco, as an active Mediterranean Dialogue partner, an avenue to play a more active role in the NATO Training Initiative. ****************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ****************************************** Riley