Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06RABAT277
2006-02-17 09:52:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rabat
Cable title:
G-8 EMBASSIES MEET ON MOROCCO COUNTERTERRORISM
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C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000277
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/MAG AND S/CT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/17/2016
TAGS: PTER PREL KPAO SNAR MO
SUBJECT: G-8 EMBASSIES MEET ON MOROCCO COUNTERTERRORISM
Classified By: DCM Wayne J. Bush, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000277
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/MAG AND S/CT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/17/2016
TAGS: PTER PREL KPAO SNAR MO
SUBJECT: G-8 EMBASSIES MEET ON MOROCCO COUNTERTERRORISM
Classified By: DCM Wayne J. Bush, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary: Representatives from G-8 embassies in Rabat
discussed counter-terrorism efforts in Morocco at a Feb. 2
Counter-Terrorism Action Group (CTAG) meeting hosted by the
Russian Embassy in Russia's capacity as G-8 president. Attendees
spoke highly of GOM counter-terrorism efforts but agreed the
risk for terrorist incidents in Morocco remains elevated. The
group decided to invite a Moroccan official (probably Minister
of Interior Governor-Director of International Cooperation Khaled
Zerouali) to the next CTAG meeting to discuss their ideas with
him. The Russian host noted that a Feb. 17 meeting of G-8
ministers in Moscow will address the subject of extremism and
asked that CTAG members send him their thoughts after the
meeting which he will summarize and transmit to Moscow. End
Summary.
2. (C) The Feb. 2 CTAG meeting was attended by representatives
from the United States, the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy,
Canada and Japan, in addition to the Russian hosts. Russian
Minister-Counselor Mikhail Golovanov said the fight against
terrorism will be a top priority for Russia during its
chairmanship of the G-8, and invited CTAG members to exchange
views on the measures each country is taking in Morocco against
extremism.
3. (C) Golovanov said he believes radicalism and extremism are
on the rise in Morocco in spite of many praiseworthy GOM
countermeasures in place. He said extremism remains "very present"
in the religious sphere and in political party structures like
the Islamist Party for Justice and Development (PJD).
4. (C) DCM asked the group how G-8 countries can better combat
extremism through public diplomacy. French Polcouns said in her
view it is up to Moroccan religious and governmental authorities
to come up with a "doctrine" against extremism, and that it is not
appropriate for Western countries to develop and propagate views
on tolerance for Moroccans. In her view King Mohammed VI and the
Ministry of Islamic Affairs have done a good job of this, but more
needs to be done.
5. (C) The Spanish representative agreed the GOM has made laudable
efforts in its fight against extremist ideology, but said the GOM's
biggest challenge is to distinguish the legitimate conservatism
that exists in the political sphere from violent extremist elements.
6. (C) DCM noted that G-8 countries could assist Morocco's
counter-terrorism efforts by bolstering the GOM's border control
capacities. There is an intuitive link between drug trafficking
and illegal immigration and terrorist movement, and assisting the
GOM to better manage its borders could improve the country's
counter-terrorism capabilities. Golovanov agreed, noting that
even the supposedly "closed" border with Algeria is regularly
crossed by human and contraband traffic. The Spanish representative
said his government is convinced of a strong link between
terrorism and drug/human trafficking.
7. (C) The Russian host noted the importance of anti-money
laundering legislation and said his government hopes the bill -
which has been drafted - passes to parliament soon. The Spanish
rep surmised the legislation is not stalled because of opposition
to the bill's anti-terrorism function, but rather because it will
have a broad-based impact on the informal economy, which the GOM
is taking the time to consider carefully.
8. (C) The UK rep suggested that CTAG members press the GOM to
segregate extremist prisoners from the general prison population
to prevent "negative synergies" from arising in the prisons. He
noted this has been done in Egypt with some success. CTAG members
supported this idea but made no specific proposals.
9. (C) DCM responded to a question from the Italian representative
by saying the USG has not changed its risk assessment in Morocco
since the May 2003 Casablanca bombings and believes the risk of
terrorist events in Morocco remains high. The Sahel region, with
its open borders and large undergoverned spaces, offers potential
refuge. The involvement of Moroccans in terrorist acts abroad is
also of concern. Another serious concern comes from movement of
fighters from Morocco to Iraq, who pose not only a risk to that
country but also to Morocco when they return. DCM said the GOM
is sensitized to these risks and is generally doing a good job
with its CT efforts, but has also been somewhat lucky in avoiding
incidents thus far. The Russian rep said he shared the USG
view on the elevated risk and thanked DCM for his assessment.
10. (C) Golovanov proposed the group invite Khaled Zerouali, MOI
Governor-Director of International Cooperation, to their next
meeting, and participants agreed this would be useful.
Riley
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/MAG AND S/CT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/17/2016
TAGS: PTER PREL KPAO SNAR MO
SUBJECT: G-8 EMBASSIES MEET ON MOROCCO COUNTERTERRORISM
Classified By: DCM Wayne J. Bush, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary: Representatives from G-8 embassies in Rabat
discussed counter-terrorism efforts in Morocco at a Feb. 2
Counter-Terrorism Action Group (CTAG) meeting hosted by the
Russian Embassy in Russia's capacity as G-8 president. Attendees
spoke highly of GOM counter-terrorism efforts but agreed the
risk for terrorist incidents in Morocco remains elevated. The
group decided to invite a Moroccan official (probably Minister
of Interior Governor-Director of International Cooperation Khaled
Zerouali) to the next CTAG meeting to discuss their ideas with
him. The Russian host noted that a Feb. 17 meeting of G-8
ministers in Moscow will address the subject of extremism and
asked that CTAG members send him their thoughts after the
meeting which he will summarize and transmit to Moscow. End
Summary.
2. (C) The Feb. 2 CTAG meeting was attended by representatives
from the United States, the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy,
Canada and Japan, in addition to the Russian hosts. Russian
Minister-Counselor Mikhail Golovanov said the fight against
terrorism will be a top priority for Russia during its
chairmanship of the G-8, and invited CTAG members to exchange
views on the measures each country is taking in Morocco against
extremism.
3. (C) Golovanov said he believes radicalism and extremism are
on the rise in Morocco in spite of many praiseworthy GOM
countermeasures in place. He said extremism remains "very present"
in the religious sphere and in political party structures like
the Islamist Party for Justice and Development (PJD).
4. (C) DCM asked the group how G-8 countries can better combat
extremism through public diplomacy. French Polcouns said in her
view it is up to Moroccan religious and governmental authorities
to come up with a "doctrine" against extremism, and that it is not
appropriate for Western countries to develop and propagate views
on tolerance for Moroccans. In her view King Mohammed VI and the
Ministry of Islamic Affairs have done a good job of this, but more
needs to be done.
5. (C) The Spanish representative agreed the GOM has made laudable
efforts in its fight against extremist ideology, but said the GOM's
biggest challenge is to distinguish the legitimate conservatism
that exists in the political sphere from violent extremist elements.
6. (C) DCM noted that G-8 countries could assist Morocco's
counter-terrorism efforts by bolstering the GOM's border control
capacities. There is an intuitive link between drug trafficking
and illegal immigration and terrorist movement, and assisting the
GOM to better manage its borders could improve the country's
counter-terrorism capabilities. Golovanov agreed, noting that
even the supposedly "closed" border with Algeria is regularly
crossed by human and contraband traffic. The Spanish representative
said his government is convinced of a strong link between
terrorism and drug/human trafficking.
7. (C) The Russian host noted the importance of anti-money
laundering legislation and said his government hopes the bill -
which has been drafted - passes to parliament soon. The Spanish
rep surmised the legislation is not stalled because of opposition
to the bill's anti-terrorism function, but rather because it will
have a broad-based impact on the informal economy, which the GOM
is taking the time to consider carefully.
8. (C) The UK rep suggested that CTAG members press the GOM to
segregate extremist prisoners from the general prison population
to prevent "negative synergies" from arising in the prisons. He
noted this has been done in Egypt with some success. CTAG members
supported this idea but made no specific proposals.
9. (C) DCM responded to a question from the Italian representative
by saying the USG has not changed its risk assessment in Morocco
since the May 2003 Casablanca bombings and believes the risk of
terrorist events in Morocco remains high. The Sahel region, with
its open borders and large undergoverned spaces, offers potential
refuge. The involvement of Moroccans in terrorist acts abroad is
also of concern. Another serious concern comes from movement of
fighters from Morocco to Iraq, who pose not only a risk to that
country but also to Morocco when they return. DCM said the GOM
is sensitized to these risks and is generally doing a good job
with its CT efforts, but has also been somewhat lucky in avoiding
incidents thus far. The Russian rep said he shared the USG
view on the elevated risk and thanked DCM for his assessment.
10. (C) Golovanov proposed the group invite Khaled Zerouali, MOI
Governor-Director of International Cooperation, to their next
meeting, and participants agreed this would be useful.
Riley