WESTERN SAHARA: THE WALI EXPOUNDS ON THE CURRENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000283 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/MAG, DRL E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/16/2011 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PBTS MO SUBJECT: WESTERN SAHARA: THE WALI EXPOUNDS ON THE CURRENT SITUATION REF: A. 05 RABAT 02262 ¶B. RABAT 00181 ¶C. RABAT 00238 ¶D. RABAT 00240 ¶E. RABAT 00248 Classified By: Pol/Couns Timothy Lenderking, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: On January 25, NEA/MAG desk officer and emboffs met with Driss Sharqi, the Wali of the Laayoune region of the Western Sahara. The discussion covered autonomy (septel),Sahrawi demonstrations, the impact of the Equity and Reconciliation's (IER) final report, the development situation in Laayoune, and freedom of the press. Sharqi does not view all Sahrawis as dissidents; rather, he claimed that a small minority of dissidents is instigating the demonstrations at the behest of the Polisario. Most Sahrawis he said, welcome GOM control of the territory. Sharqi was articulate; he drew on official GOM and MFA points to elucidate his argument. End Summary. -------------- Demonstrations in Laayoune -------------- ¶2. (C) NEA/MAG deskoff and emboffs met with the Wali of Laayoune, Driss Sharqi, on January 25 in Laayoune. Deskoff stressed that the USG remained concerned by the security situation and that protests and disturbances in Western Sahara underscore the potential for instability as well as the need for the GOM to exercise restraint in the face of efforts to provoke a violent crackdown. Sharqi brushed aside allegations by human rights activists of GOM oppression and brutality. While he conceded some abuse by GOM security forces, he insisted that most allegations were embellished. Sharqi did admit to Hamdi Lembarki's death at the hands of Moroccan police and said Lembarki had been innocently caught in a demonstration in which molotov cocktails were used at two in the morning. The Polisario exploited Lembarki's death and his subsequent funeral for its own ends, according to Sharqi. ¶3. (C) As with Lembarki's death and funeral, the Polisario used the January release from prison of female activist Aminatou Haidar to further their discordant ends, according to the Wali. (As noted Ref C, there were reports that Haidar proclaimed her allegiance to the Polisario, and supporters tore up photographs of the King, upon her return home). When Haidar returned to her aunt's village, Sharqi explained, there was a small demonstration. The Polisario manipulated this situation in coordination with the activists, and the police had to intervene. There was no shredding of photos of the King, Sharqi emphasized, and no action taken against Haidar. ¶4. (C) Sharqi continued that the protesters' goals are to show only the negative things about the GOM and to deny what the GOM has done for the region. At the same time, it is only a minority that is exploiting others for the Polisario's ends. The Wali would not confirm an increase in GOM security forces in Laayoune since Mission personnel had visited in October, although it was plainly evident to emboffs. He alleged that young, unemployed people are being recruited by the Polisario for 40 dirhams (USD 4.00) to participate in the "on-and-off" demonstrations. The Wali assured us that people are allowed to express their "proper" political opinions and that they are not arrested for these. Deskoff stressed that a variety of political viewpoints should be allowed to thrive. -------------- Development in Laayoune -------------- ¶5. (C) When asked how extensive the construction projects are in Laayoune, the Wali responded that there will be as many as necessary; however, he did say that the size of Laayoune city is now reasonable. He emphasized that there are several economic attractions, including the fisheries and the industries associated with fishing, and the port facilities. Included in the economic development of the region is tourism and the enhancement of local artisans. While the Wali and his staff were asked to articulate an "economic vision" for Laayoune, they did not provide any details. ¶6. (C) The Wali countered that money sent to Laayoune (reftel A) is not attributed to Morocco in the international indices, i.e., Morocco does not receive credit for the extensive development projects in the city and in the entire region. This fact has a negative impact on the baselines established for Morocco. The Wali passed further elaboration of the economic viability of the region to his deputies. ¶7. (C) As the discussion of development in the region continued, the Wali's staff stated that the Western Sahara could easily become part of the global economy for the following reasons: there is ease of access with the port and the airport, there is an excellent road network, and two off-shore zones will be created. The Wali noted that Laayoune is a service center for other development sectors. -------------- Thoughts on Human Rights -------------- ¶8. (C) When asked about the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) allegations that the Equity and Reconciliation Commission's (IER) final report did not cover rights abuses in the Western Sahara, the Wali expressed the opinion that the formation of the IER was a courageous decision on the part of King Mohammed VI and followed the path initiated by his father, King Hassan II. Sharqi had nothing but praise for Driss Benzekri, secretary of the IER, and now the president of the Consultative Council on Human Rights (CCDH). He acknowledged the criticisms from the Sahrawis, emphasized that human rights are necessary and must be upheld, and indicated that there will be changes in the GOM because of the recommendations in the IER's final report. ¶9. (C) When asked about freedom of the press, the Wali said there are no problems for the local press and that journalists are not barred from covering stories in the territory. When Polcouns pointed out that representatives of the Norwegian and Spanish press had not been allowed into the Western Sahara on several occasions in 2005, the Wali said that those who are blatantly pro-Polisario and want to create problems are not allowed. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶10. (C) The meeting was cordial and highlighted the extensive development being carried out by the GOM throughout Laayoune. The Wali was articulate and supportive of the GOM's plans. Again, as he had in October (reftel A),the Wali told the story of how Sahrawis once starved because they would not eat the fish from the sea. The moral of his story may be that the GOM has brought both economic development and is supplying food to the population. Certainly, he does not wish to characterize all Sahrawis as dissidents or malcontents; for him, as for the Director of Laayoune Prison (reftel B),a small group led by the Polisario is provoking others into negative actions in an attempt to destabilize Morocco. ¶11. (U) This cable was cleared by Y. Robert Ewing. ****************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ****************************************** Riley