Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06RABAT433
2006-03-08 18:36:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rabat
Cable title:  

WESTERN SAHARA: DCM UNDERSCORES NEED FOR SERIOUS

Tags:  MO PBTS PHUM PREL 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0062
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHRB #0433 0671836
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 081836Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY RABAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3042
INFO RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS PRIORITY 3800
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 2819
RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID PRIORITY 5382
RUEHNK/AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT PRIORITY 3029
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 4047
RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS PRIORITY 8681
RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA PRIORITY 1366
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 0939
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0471
C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000433 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/MAG, IO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2009
TAGS: MO PBTS PHUM PREL
SUBJECT: WESTERN SAHARA: DCM UNDERSCORES NEED FOR SERIOUS
AUTONOMY PLAN

REF: A. RABAT 432

B. RABAT 389

Classified By: Pol/C Tim Lenderking for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000433

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/MAG, IO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2009
TAGS: MO PBTS PHUM PREL
SUBJECT: WESTERN SAHARA: DCM UNDERSCORES NEED FOR SERIOUS
AUTONOMY PLAN

REF: A. RABAT 432

B. RABAT 389

Classified By: Pol/C Tim Lenderking for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) During a March 2 meeting with MFA Director of
Bilateral Affairs Youssef Amrani, which also covered freedom
of expression (Ref A),DCM underscored the need for Morocco
to produce a serious, credible autonomy plan that could serve
as the basis of negotiations with the Polisario as well as
Algeria. DCM noted that NEA A/S Welch hoped to visit the
Maghreb the week of March 13 and would likely bring a message
identical to that shared with the MFA and MOI by visiting
NEA/MAG Director Jordan in February (Ref B): the
international community is looking to Morocco to produce a
broad autonomy proposal; the plan must be more expansive than
what Morocco offered in the past; and the GOM needs to
prepare for direct negotiations with the Polisario. In the
US view, Morocco had considerable scope to shape the way
ahead, and needed to take the initiative by presenting ideas
that could bring the Polisario to the table. A serious
autonomy proposal would facilitate dialogue toward a
solution. DCM added that Jordan had also visited Tindouf to
reinforce the need for the Polisario to respond
constructively to Morocco's autonomy proposal and to prepare
to engage seriously with the GOM.


2. (C) Amrani took DCM's points on board, reiterating
Moroccan uncertainty that Algeria, the key party in addition
to Morocco, was ready to engage seriously with Morocco on a
solution to the Western Sahara. He had received a cursory
read-out of Jordan's visit to Tindouf from the French during
a visit to Paris a few days before. He promised to convey
the DCM's message to Deputy FM Fassi Fihri.
******************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
******************************************

Riley