Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06RABAT640
2006-04-10 16:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rabat
Cable title:
MOROCCO: LEVERAGING UN TROOP CONTRIBUTING
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHRB #0640 1001603 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 101603Z APR 06 FM AMEMBASSY RABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3347 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA PRIORITY 1279 RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS PRIORITY 3900 RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM PRIORITY 0001 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0495
C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000640
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/MAG, AF/SPG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/10/2016
TAGS: PREL KPKO PGOV SU MO
SUBJECT: MOROCCO: LEVERAGING UN TROOP CONTRIBUTING
COUNTRIES TOWARDS DARFUR
REF: STATE 51778
Classified By: A/PolCouns Cindy Kierscht for reasons 1.4 (b),(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000640
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/MAG, AF/SPG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/10/2016
TAGS: PREL KPKO PGOV SU MO
SUBJECT: MOROCCO: LEVERAGING UN TROOP CONTRIBUTING
COUNTRIES TOWARDS DARFUR
REF: STATE 51778
Classified By: A/PolCouns Cindy Kierscht for reasons 1.4 (b),(d).
1. (C) A/Polcouns met April 10 with MFA Director of
International Organizations and UN Affairs Nasser Bourita to
discuss reftel request to solicit Moroccan troop and/or
equipment support for a UN peacekeeping operation (PKO) in
Sudan. Bourita raised two issues with Moroccan participation
in such a PKO: the role of the African Union (of which
Morocco is not a member) and the need for Moroccan
involvement in more than merely the troop provision aspect of
a PKO.
2. (C) On AU involvement, Bourita noted that the concept of a
new mission in Sudan would need to be clarified before
Morocco could commit to participating. If it is truly a UN
PKO with African participation, the GOM could consider
participating. If, however, it is a UN PKO with AU
troops/participation, this would constitute an "impediment"
to Moroccan involvement. Bourita commented that the GOM had
agreed with the Arab League to send African troops to the
PKO, but still considered AU involvement a problem.
Continuing AU involvement should also be problematic for the
UN as it is important to have one clear command in any PKO
situation, Bourita asserted.
3. (C) On an expanded role for the GOM in PKOs, Bourita said
that he is concerned that the Moroccan presence in several UN
PKOs is limited merely to the provision of troops. For
example, in both the Congo and Kosovo, Morocco has dedicated
troops, but is generally not informed about the political
developments, nor is the GOM involved in resolving the
conflicts. Bourita emphasized GOM desire to be part of the
solution, not merely the peacekeeping aspect of these
missions.
4. (C) Bourita further noted that the GOM had recently
received a letter from UNSYG Annan regarding the Moroccan
position on Sudan. In the King's response letter, the GOM
had indicated that it is in contact with the Sudanese
government and had asked the GOS to consider all alternatives
to resolve the situation, emphasizing the UN role in the
process. In the letter, the GOM emphasized, however, that
any UN role should have the agreement of the Sudanese
government and that any resolution should respect Sudan's
territorial integrity.
5. (C) In closing, Bourita said he would convey the USG
request to his superiors, but would appreciate more detailed
information on the possible AU role in a future peacekeeping
force and in a political resolution.
******************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
******************************************
Riley
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/MAG, AF/SPG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/10/2016
TAGS: PREL KPKO PGOV SU MO
SUBJECT: MOROCCO: LEVERAGING UN TROOP CONTRIBUTING
COUNTRIES TOWARDS DARFUR
REF: STATE 51778
Classified By: A/PolCouns Cindy Kierscht for reasons 1.4 (b),(d).
1. (C) A/Polcouns met April 10 with MFA Director of
International Organizations and UN Affairs Nasser Bourita to
discuss reftel request to solicit Moroccan troop and/or
equipment support for a UN peacekeeping operation (PKO) in
Sudan. Bourita raised two issues with Moroccan participation
in such a PKO: the role of the African Union (of which
Morocco is not a member) and the need for Moroccan
involvement in more than merely the troop provision aspect of
a PKO.
2. (C) On AU involvement, Bourita noted that the concept of a
new mission in Sudan would need to be clarified before
Morocco could commit to participating. If it is truly a UN
PKO with African participation, the GOM could consider
participating. If, however, it is a UN PKO with AU
troops/participation, this would constitute an "impediment"
to Moroccan involvement. Bourita commented that the GOM had
agreed with the Arab League to send African troops to the
PKO, but still considered AU involvement a problem.
Continuing AU involvement should also be problematic for the
UN as it is important to have one clear command in any PKO
situation, Bourita asserted.
3. (C) On an expanded role for the GOM in PKOs, Bourita said
that he is concerned that the Moroccan presence in several UN
PKOs is limited merely to the provision of troops. For
example, in both the Congo and Kosovo, Morocco has dedicated
troops, but is generally not informed about the political
developments, nor is the GOM involved in resolving the
conflicts. Bourita emphasized GOM desire to be part of the
solution, not merely the peacekeeping aspect of these
missions.
4. (C) Bourita further noted that the GOM had recently
received a letter from UNSYG Annan regarding the Moroccan
position on Sudan. In the King's response letter, the GOM
had indicated that it is in contact with the Sudanese
government and had asked the GOS to consider all alternatives
to resolve the situation, emphasizing the UN role in the
process. In the letter, the GOM emphasized, however, that
any UN role should have the agreement of the Sudanese
government and that any resolution should respect Sudan's
territorial integrity.
5. (C) In closing, Bourita said he would convey the USG
request to his superiors, but would appreciate more detailed
information on the possible AU role in a future peacekeeping
force and in a political resolution.
******************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
******************************************
Riley