MOROCCO: PARTICIPATION IN COESPU'S SECOND ROUND OF

UNCLAS RABAT 000697 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR PM/PPA-RACHEL FEATHERSTONE, NEA/MAG E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPKO MARR IT MO SUBJECT: MOROCCO: PARTICIPATION IN COESPU'S SECOND ROUND OF CLASSES REF: STATE 52470 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. (SBU) Poloffs met April 10 with MFA Director of International Organizations and UN Affairs Nasser Bourita to discuss reftel request encouraging Moroccan participation in upcoming COESPU classes. Poloff delivered to Bourita a copy of reftel points in non-paper format. In response, Bourita explained that he was aware of COESPU's letter requesting Morocco to submit nominees and that the letter had indeed been sent to the appropriate military office for action. Bourita noted that the MFA is encouraging the military to participate in training events, such as COESPU, because he believes this is the "next generation" of policing capabilities. Bourita explained that, as of April 10, his office had yet to be contacted by the Italian Embassy in Rabat on this subject. ¶2. (SBU) On April 14 Poloff contacted Italian Embassy DCM Luca Fratini, who had met April 13 with MFA Bilateral Affairs Officer Karim Halim to discuss Moroccan participation in COESPU classes. According to Fratini, Halim reported that he was working on putting together a list of participants. Fratini, however, explained to poloff that after his April 13 meeting with Halim the Italian Defense Attache received a letter from the Moroccan Gendarmerie stating that they would not be participating in the upcoming COESPU classes. Fratini said that his embassy is following this topic very closely and promised to pass any new information to us. Post will report further responses septel. ****************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ****************************************** Riley