MFA DISCUSSES NATO AND THE UPCOMING HIGH-LEVEL

C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000607 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/MAG E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/03/2011 TAGS: PREL PGOV PARM MARR MO SUBJECT: MFA DISCUSSES NATO AND THE UPCOMING HIGH-LEVEL EVENT Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Wayne J. Bush, reasons 1.4 (b) a nd (d) ¶1. (U) This is an action request, see paragraph 5. ¶2. (C) At an April 4 meeting with Ambassador Youssef Amrani, MFA Director-General of Bilateral Relations, the DCM discussed the GOM's understanding of its relationship with NATO. Amrani, who just returned from a positive experience at a NATO training conference in Brussels, said "you must listen to us," pointing out that both Morocco and NATO are committed to working together in a world that has changed, as NATO begins to understand its role in fighting terrorism. ¶3. (C) Amrani affirmed the GOM's support for establishing a NATO information and training center. Emphasizing that Morocco has a long experience in providing military training for African countries, he said that NATO must understand the sovereignty of each nation, allow nations to "take ownership" of programs, and address the "real needs of the countries." ¶4. (C) Regarding the upcoming high-level NATO event being held in Rabat April 6 and 7, Amrani said that the GOM wants to send a strong, clear message that it will work with NATO; that it is engaged with the Mediterranean Dialogue in which Israel also participates; and that there are different issues to be addressed by NATO now after the end of the Cold War -- for example, terrorism and problems in the Sahel. ¶5. (C) The DCM noted the important role NATO is playing in Afghanistan. The GOM sees the NATO-MED meeting in Rabat as part of as a partnership in which there is an exchange of views Amrani said. He emphasized the desirability of continuing the interactioQbetween NATO and the region at the level of foreign ministers. Asked about GOM plans to make a political declaration at the Rabat event, Amrani said he would welcome input from the USG on the declaration. Amrani took a swipe at the Islamist Party of Justice and Democracy for being stuck in a cold war mentality, after the PJD-affiliated newspaper At-Tajdid criticized the GOM for hosting the April 6-7 NATO event. ¶6. (SBU) Action request: Post would appreciate guidance from the Department or USNATO concerning our response to the MFA's request for US input into the GOM's proposed political declaration. ****************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ****************************************** Riley