MOROCCAN JUSTICE MINISTER ON PRESS AND POLLING

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RABAT 002337 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/22/2016 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PTER EFIN MO SUBJECT: MOROCCAN JUSTICE MINISTER ON PRESS AND POLLING LAWS, W. SAHARA, TERROR FINANCE, AND DERADICALIZATION REF: STATE 200675 Classified by Ambassador Thomas Riley for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) During a December 22 meeting with Moroccan Justice Minister Mohammed Bouzouba, the Ambassador urged that pending amendments to the press code encourage journalistic responsibility without impinging on freedom of expression. The Ambassador also expressed concern that a proposed law regulating polling not stifle public opinion research, and encouraged Morocco to complete work on an enhanced terror finance law as quickly as possible. On Western Sahara, the Ambassador underlined the need for meaningful consultation on the pending autonomy plan and highlighted USG attention to human rights issues in the territory. The Justice Minister predicted that a new press law would not be completed until the second session of parliament begins in April, downplayed any negative implications of the proposed polling law, and affirmed the passage of the terror finance bill was imminent. The Minister said Morocco was determined to settle amicably and permanently the Western Sahara problem, so that the country could focus on development and pursue economic integration with Arab Maghreb states, particularly Algeria. The Minister also offered details on Moroccan efforts to deradicalize Islamist prisoners. End summary. -------------- Press Code -------------- ¶2. (C) In a cordial December 22 meeting, the Ambassador told Moroccan Justice Minister Mohamed Bouzouba that the U.S. hopes revisions to the press code currently under debate will not limit freedom of expression in the domestic media. In response, Bouzouba lamented irresponsibility and sensationalism in the Moroccan media, which too often distorted reality in its coverage of issues. "They will say and write anything at all," he complained. The Ambassador agreed that the Moroccan media would benefit from greater adherence to professional standards and noted recent USG-funded training efforts for Moroccan journalists. The Minister noted that the GOM, too, was engaged in efforts to improve through training the standards of Moroccan journalists but implied that he remained unsatisfied with the quality of the domestic media. (Comment: See Rabat 2315 for �0A;a current case in point about growing GOM impatience with the media. End comment.) Asked about the timing of the press bill (which has been stalled for approximately one year) the Minister predicted that it would not be presented to parliament until the start of the second legislative session in April. -------------- Polling Law -------------- ¶3. (C) The Ambassador also raised U.S. concerns that a new law designed to regulate (for the first time) polling in Morocco not stifle the field of public opinion research. There are no U.S. laws regulating polling, he noted to the Minister. Bouzouba was surprised by this observation, responding that "all the countries in Western Europe" have such laws. In any case, he continued, the GOM's intent is to regulate the process, not the content, of polls conducted in Morocco, to ensure such activity is consistent with public order. The Ambassador noted that France's 1985 law (reportedly the model followed by drafters of the Moroccan bill) only regulates polls related to elections and amendments to laws. The Minister responded that Morocco's law, also, would mainly be applied to impose order on the conduct of particularly sensitive political issues. (Comment: In fact, a copy of the draft polling law obtained by the Embassy contains language open to broad interpretation by those applying it and explicitly prohibits polling on questions of religion, "territorial integrity" (Western Sahara),and the monarchy - see Rabat 2286 for details. End comment.) -------------- Western Sahara -------------- ¶4. (C) Guided by points outlined reftel, the Ambassador underlined the U.S. view that meaningful consultation with the Sahrawi people would be a critical element of any successful autonomy plan for the Western Sahara. The RABAT 00002337 002 OF 002 Ambassador also expressed concern about reports of beatings administered by police in Layoune against activists demonstrating to mark Human Rights Day (December 10). The Minister affirmed that Morocco's determination to achieve a durable and just settlement to the issue was genuine and "not a propaganda exercise." ¶5. (C) Consultation both with Sahrawis and with friendly countries like the U.S. has been a central part of the GOM's strategy, he added. Bouzouba characterized the effort to solve the Western Sahara problem as a first step toward improving relations with Algeria and moving forward on the process of regional integration and economic development that would be of benefit to all, he asserted. Citing significant regional economic integration efforts in North America and the E.U., the Minister opined that it was high time that North Africa catch up with this trend. ¶6. (C) On problems between police and demonstrators in Layoune, Bouzouba insisted that peaceful demonstrations are permitted in the territory - only when stones and bottles begin to fly do police intervene to maintain order. Sahrawi activists are allowed to express their views peacefully, the Minister maintained, pointing to the activities of activist Aminatou Haidar, who recently traveled to Europe and the U.S. on a "pro-Polisario" mission, but was allowed to return without incident to Layoune, where she remains free. -------------- Terror Finance -------------- ¶7. (C) The Ambassador asked the Minister for an update on money laundering legislation introduced to the Moroccan parliament in November. The Minister offered an upbeat assessment, asserting that the bill enjoys broad support among various political parties and predicted that the legislation would pass parliament by late January, 2007. The law, he stated, will give Moroccan officials more tools to seize ill-gotten proceeds from any criminal source or terrorist purpose. When passed, the law will be in full compliance with international standards and conventions, he affirmed. -------------- Deradicalization -------------- ¶8. (C) The Ambassador asked the Minister about Moroccan efforts to deradicalize prisoners detained for extremist Islamist activities. The Minister confirmed that the GOM, under the MOJ's leadership, was pursuing systematic efforts to counter the extremist attitudes of Islamist prisoners and instead convince them of a moderate and tolerant vision of Islam. Morocco's efforts include the use of a closed circuit TV network (managed by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs) which broadcasts moderate sermons and religious lectures into prisons (as well as more than 2000 mosques across the country). The GOM also arranges for Ulema (Islamic scholars) to visit prisoners and convince them of the peaceful, moderate, and tolerant nature of Islam. "These prisoners, too, are victims of extremist ideology, we must help them," the Minister stated, noting that 300 prisoners had recently benefited from a royal amnesty and adding that sincere recantation of extremist ideology is a major consideration for amnesty candidates. The Ambassador welcomed the GOM's efforts in this regard and hoped we could learn more about deradicalization efforts in the future. ****************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ****************************************** Riley