GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR - PURSUIT OF TERRORIST

C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 002306 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR S/CT - FRED VOGEL, CA - ALCY FELLICK, AND NEA/MAG E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/20/2016 TAGS: KVPR PTER PREL PGOV PINR CVIS ASEC KHLS MO SUBJECT: GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR - PURSUIT OF TERRORIST INFORMATION EXCHANGE REF: STATE 190832 Classified by A/Polcouns Ian McCary for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). (C) The U.S. Mission in Morocco is working closely with the Government of Morocco (GOM) in support of efforts to strengthen, rationalize, and consolidate databases and information exchanges key to the Global War on Terror. The following are responses to questions posed reftel regarding Moroccan capabilities and cooperation in terrorist information exchange. ¶A. Immigration Databases In theory the GOM immigration system tracks all entries and exits at land crossings, ports, and airports, however the system is sometimes overwhelmed during peak periods. Every foreigner is assigned an identification number upon their first entry into Morocco which is placed in their passport and thereafter used to track all future movements in and out of Morocco. For Moroccans, their National Identity Card number, which is listed in their passports, is used for these purposes. Moroccans with dual nationality may enter on their non-Moroccan passport, but must present their National Identity Card at the border. Thus, the database is constantly updated as travelers' movements occur. Challenges facing the Moroccan system include insufficient training of personnel and a shortage of computer workstations at many locations, slowing processing. The equipment currently in use was installed 3-4 years ago. ¶B. Watchlist and Information Sharing: The Moroccan database includes a watchlist based on names provided primarily by the Ministry of Justice arising out of criminal (including terrorist) and civil/family cases, and also (presumably) containing input from the Ministry of Interior. INTERPOL's is the only international watchlist used by the GOM, which currently has no bilateral watchlist agreements. ¶C. Biometrics Biometric systems are not rountinely employed at ports of entry and equipment in place is not ICAO compliant. Morocco's biometric capabilities are moving forward, particularly as a result of the partnership on fingerprint management between the Directorate-General of National Security (DGSN) and the Embassy's Legal Attache Office/FBI. Morocco's current passport is not machine-readable, but the GOM is in the early stages of developing a modern machine-readable passport. Morocco is also in the advanced stages of developing a new national identity card with modern security features. ¶D. Identifying Appropriate Partners The U.S. Mission in Morocco and the GOM already have a robust exchange of information, including biometic data, on terrorist suspects. We judge Morocco an excellent candidate for expansion and deepening of such cooperation, including sharing of U.S. watchlist data. Political dissidents could well be included in Moroccan watchlists, and this consideration should be factored into the process. ****************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ****************************************** Bush