Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06RABAT331
2006-02-24 15:36:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rabat
Cable title:  

MOROCCO ON PALESTINIAN ASSISTANCE, MEETINGS WITH

Tags:  PREL IS KPAL MO 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHRB #0331 0551536
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 241536Z FEB 06
FM AMEMBASSY RABAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2899
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
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).

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