MOROCCO ON PALESTINIAN ASSISTANCE, MEETINGS WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000331 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/MAG, NEA/IPA E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/21/2016 TAGS: PREL IS KPAL MO SUBJECT: MOROCCO ON PALESTINIAN ASSISTANCE, MEETINGS WITH HAMAS REF: A. STATE 21256 ¶B. STATE 27174 Classified By: DCM Wayne J. Bush for reasons 1.4 (b),(d). ¶1. (C) DCM met with newly promoted MFA Director General for Multilateral Relations and Director of Arab and Islamic Affairs Mohamed Azeroual February 21 to discuss reftel demarches regarding assistance to the Palestinian Authority (PA) and potential meetings with Hamas. DCM emphasized that a newly formed Palestinian Authority must commit to the agreed upon Quartet principles of non-violence, recognize Israel's right to exist and accept past agreements and obligations between the parties, including the Roadmap. He explained that the USG will review future assistance against the new Palestinian government's commitment to these principles. It is equally important that Hamas adhere to these principles before being received by any government. If a government decides it must receive a Hamas delegation, it should not be at a political level and Hamas should be urged to meet the conditions of the Quartet statement. ¶2. (C) Azeroual replied by recalling that he had predicted during A/S Welch's last visit to Morocco (March 2005) that Hamas would some day come to power. The Palestinians have now made their choice, but the international community needs to be careful not to push Hamas closer to the Iranians. Azeroual said he was familiar with many young Hamas leaders, most of whom he considered moderate, but who, he warned, could become extremist if "cornered." For example, if the international community ends its assistance to the PA, it only punishes the Palestinian population and pushes them to become a new generation of extremists. Over the past four to five months, the fact that Hamas had respected the ceasefire should be taken as a positive sign, according to Azeroual. Hamas has gradually changed its strategy over the past six years by participating in the political "game," by, for example, accepting the Gaza municipal elections. This is a good indication that they are willing to change and that they sought to make this change on their own, asserted Azeroual. Nevertheless, Azeroual noted, Morocco is the "only country" thus far not to recognize Hamas. ¶3. (C) Referring to the newly designated Hamas Prime Minister, Azeroual noted that Ismail Haneya had said this very day that the Palestinian government would be "opening" to the world. This should be taken as a sign that Hamas seeks to be integrated into the "international scene." Haneya is a "clever" man and with his good relations with Hamas in Gaza he will be able to moderate relations. He will likely seek to bring Fatah with him to create a coalition government, which will also serve to moderate the issues. Azeroual further advised that the international community should seek to strengthen Abu Mazen in his dealings with Hamas and give him the time to convince Hamas to adhere to the Quartet principles. In two to three weeks, we will see what will happen with the new government and cabinet. Azeroual said he believed, however, that once a government was formed and a cabinet named, it was likely that the new PA would adopt the Quartet's principles. Azeroual urged that the U.S. needed to leave open the possibility of having an "open dialogue" with Hamas once a government was established. ¶4. (C) In terms of meeting with Hamas, Azeroual noted that while they seemed to be making the rounds in countries such as Sudan, Egypt and Algeria, Hamas had not yet put Morocco "on their agenda." In any case, according to Azeroual, the GOM meets with governmental entities such as the Palestinian Authority recognized by the international community and not with "groups" such as Hamas. Azeroual said he fully understood the U.S. position and would communicate it to Minister Benaissa currently traveling with King Mohamed in Africa. ****************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ****************************************** Riley