Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06RABAT333
2006-02-24 15:38:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Rabat
Cable title:
MFA DISCUSSES NEED FOR ASSISTANCE, PRESS FREEDOM
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHRB #0333 0551538 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 241538Z FEB 06 FM AMEMBASSY RABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2901 INFO RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS PRIORITY 3744 RUEHNK/AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT PRIORITY 2986 RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS PRIORITY 8630 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 2781 RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID PRIORITY 5357 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 4012 RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA PRIORITY 1286 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0455
UNCLAS RABAT 000333
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR NEA/MAG, DRL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPKO MO PBTS PGOV PHUM PREL
SUBJECT: MFA DISCUSSES NEED FOR ASSISTANCE, PRESS FREEDOM
UNCLAS RABAT 000333
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR NEA/MAG, DRL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPKO MO PBTS PGOV PHUM PREL
SUBJECT: MFA DISCUSSES NEED FOR ASSISTANCE, PRESS FREEDOM
1. (U) This cable is sensitive but unclassified. Please
protect accordingly.
2. (SBU) SUMMARY: On February 17, 2006 visiting NEA/MAG
Office Director William Jordan met separately with MFA
Director of Bilateral Affairs Youssef Amrani and MFA Director
of American Affairs Salahuddin Tazi to discuss bilateral
issues and the Western Sahara (septel). Accompanying NEA/MAG
Director were DCM, Polcouns, and Poloff. Tazi stressed that
Morocco is in a unique position to play a "bridge" role for
the U.S. on cooperation matters. Expressing the GOM's desire
for more USG financial assistance, Tazi explained that, in
addition to positive economic effects, additional financial
support can contribute to the stability of Morocco. On press
freedoms, Jordan explained to Amrani that U.S. comments on
Moroccan press freedoms are not meant to be negative, but
should be viewed as encouragement to take critical next steps
towards a more open press environment. DCM added that the
GOM has full control over the progress of press freedoms and
there is little space for external factors to slow progress.
END SUMMARY.
Bilateral Affairs: Assistance, Partnership, and Press
Freedoms
-------------- --------------
3. (SBU) Visiting NEA/MAG Office Director William Jordan on
February 17, 2006 paid separate calls on Youssef Amrani, MFA
Director of Bilateral Affairs, and Salahuddin Tazi, MFA
Director of American Affairs. DCM, Polcouns, and Poloff
attended both meetings. Tazi used this opportunity to
express the GOM,s desire for more USG financial support.
Pointing out that Morocco has taken positive steps on
governmental responsibility, accountability, and
transparency, Tazi stressed that Morocco, as a partner of the
U.S. and a country with the same objectives as the U.S., can
play the role of "bridge" for the U.S. on cooperation issues.
Citing the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA),Tazi noted
that Morocco, given its extensive knowledge of MCA criteria,
has been approached by Cameroon to discuss MCA eligibility.
4. (SBU) Tazi argued that financial assistance, in addition
to having positive economic effects, can also contribute to
the stability of Morocco. The more stable Morocco is, the
more Morocco can defend the interests of the U.S. and
Morocco, explained Tazi. Jordan stressed that USG assistance
should complement greater human development, and that
Morocco's MCA eligibility opens up new doors for assistance.
He added that Morocco is a vital and active partner of the
U.S. in this region, and as such, Morocco should share its
expertise with other countries in the region. Commenting on
GOM efforts to promote human development, Tazi explained that
Morocco needs to develop the country and provide jobs,
particularly in rural areas, so that terrorists cannot be
easily recruited. The King's National Initiative for Human
Development (INDH),as Tazi said, recognizes and takes a
fresh and hard look at poverty in Morocco and is creating a
strategy to tackle this problem.
5. (SBU) Tazi emphasized the positive and frank dialogue the
GOM has with the Embassy, including on sensitive issues such
as freedom of the press. Jordan emphasized that U.S. remarks
on the state of Moroccan press freedoms should not be viewed
as negative criticism, but should be seen by the GOM as
encouragement to take critical next steps. Tazi responded
that a bill to decriminalize libel is being discussed and
will be presented to parliament very soon. DCM added, and
Tazi acknowledged, that progress, or lack thereof, on freedom
of expression may harm Morocco's future MCA eligibility, and
progress on freedom of expression is something that is solely
in the control of the GOM, with little room for external
factors to cause delay. He urged the GOM to continue to push
forward legislation to decriminalize libel.
6. (U) NEA/MAG Office Director Jordan has cleared this cable.
******************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
******************************************
Riley
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR NEA/MAG, DRL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPKO MO PBTS PGOV PHUM PREL
SUBJECT: MFA DISCUSSES NEED FOR ASSISTANCE, PRESS FREEDOM
1. (U) This cable is sensitive but unclassified. Please
protect accordingly.
2. (SBU) SUMMARY: On February 17, 2006 visiting NEA/MAG
Office Director William Jordan met separately with MFA
Director of Bilateral Affairs Youssef Amrani and MFA Director
of American Affairs Salahuddin Tazi to discuss bilateral
issues and the Western Sahara (septel). Accompanying NEA/MAG
Director were DCM, Polcouns, and Poloff. Tazi stressed that
Morocco is in a unique position to play a "bridge" role for
the U.S. on cooperation matters. Expressing the GOM's desire
for more USG financial assistance, Tazi explained that, in
addition to positive economic effects, additional financial
support can contribute to the stability of Morocco. On press
freedoms, Jordan explained to Amrani that U.S. comments on
Moroccan press freedoms are not meant to be negative, but
should be viewed as encouragement to take critical next steps
towards a more open press environment. DCM added that the
GOM has full control over the progress of press freedoms and
there is little space for external factors to slow progress.
END SUMMARY.
Bilateral Affairs: Assistance, Partnership, and Press
Freedoms
-------------- --------------
3. (SBU) Visiting NEA/MAG Office Director William Jordan on
February 17, 2006 paid separate calls on Youssef Amrani, MFA
Director of Bilateral Affairs, and Salahuddin Tazi, MFA
Director of American Affairs. DCM, Polcouns, and Poloff
attended both meetings. Tazi used this opportunity to
express the GOM,s desire for more USG financial support.
Pointing out that Morocco has taken positive steps on
governmental responsibility, accountability, and
transparency, Tazi stressed that Morocco, as a partner of the
U.S. and a country with the same objectives as the U.S., can
play the role of "bridge" for the U.S. on cooperation issues.
Citing the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA),Tazi noted
that Morocco, given its extensive knowledge of MCA criteria,
has been approached by Cameroon to discuss MCA eligibility.
4. (SBU) Tazi argued that financial assistance, in addition
to having positive economic effects, can also contribute to
the stability of Morocco. The more stable Morocco is, the
more Morocco can defend the interests of the U.S. and
Morocco, explained Tazi. Jordan stressed that USG assistance
should complement greater human development, and that
Morocco's MCA eligibility opens up new doors for assistance.
He added that Morocco is a vital and active partner of the
U.S. in this region, and as such, Morocco should share its
expertise with other countries in the region. Commenting on
GOM efforts to promote human development, Tazi explained that
Morocco needs to develop the country and provide jobs,
particularly in rural areas, so that terrorists cannot be
easily recruited. The King's National Initiative for Human
Development (INDH),as Tazi said, recognizes and takes a
fresh and hard look at poverty in Morocco and is creating a
strategy to tackle this problem.
5. (SBU) Tazi emphasized the positive and frank dialogue the
GOM has with the Embassy, including on sensitive issues such
as freedom of the press. Jordan emphasized that U.S. remarks
on the state of Moroccan press freedoms should not be viewed
as negative criticism, but should be seen by the GOM as
encouragement to take critical next steps. Tazi responded
that a bill to decriminalize libel is being discussed and
will be presented to parliament very soon. DCM added, and
Tazi acknowledged, that progress, or lack thereof, on freedom
of expression may harm Morocco's future MCA eligibility, and
progress on freedom of expression is something that is solely
in the control of the GOM, with little room for external
factors to cause delay. He urged the GOM to continue to push
forward legislation to decriminalize libel.
6. (U) NEA/MAG Office Director Jordan has cleared this cable.
******************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
******************************************
Riley