Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06RABAT2306
2006-12-21 14:13:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rabat
Cable title:
GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR - PURSUIT OF TERRORIST
how-toVZCZCXRO1401 OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV DE RUEHRB #2306 3551413 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 211413Z DEC 06 FM AMEMBASSY RABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5438 INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA 2479
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
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