AMBASSADOR'S DEMARCHE ON POSSIBLE HAMAS VISIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000714

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/MAG, NEA/IPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/30/2010
TAGS: MO PGOV PREL PTER
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S DEMARCHE ON POSSIBLE HAMAS VISIT

REF: A. RABAT 665

B. STATE 60280

Classified By: Ambassador Thomas T. Riley for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) As requested Ref B, the Ambassador called on Moroccan
Deputy FM Taieb Fassi Fihri the afternoon of April 17 to
follow up on his April 13 discussion with FM Benaissa
regarding the possible visit of Hamas SecGen Khalid Mishal to
Morocco (FM Benaissa is traveling in South America and was
therefore unavailable). The Ambassador thanked the GOM, and
FM Benaissa in particular, for bringing Mishal's possible
visit to USG attention prior to Morocco's extending him an
invitation. The Ambassador read aloud Ref B points, adding
that while Washington strongly preferred that Morocco not
invite Mishal, the US counted on Morocco to deliver a message
on the importance of adhering to the Quartet principles if
Mishal did end up coming. The Ambassador emphasized that the
US was increasing assistance to the Palestinian people.


2. (C) Fassi Fihri said the US should be assured that
Morocco would deliver the Quartet message if Mishal came to
Morocco. "We cannot imagine Morocco taking any action
outside the principles of the Quartet framework," Fassi Fihri
stressed, as these were principles Morocco had long upheld
and worked toward itself. At the same time, Fassi Fihri
noted that Hamas's election was a result of the peace process
and the Oslo principles. "Hamas is there now because of
that," he said. The Ambassador rejoined that regardless of
Hamas's election, governments have a responsibility to reject
terror and violence. Fassi Fihri agreed, and condemned the
suicide bombing earlier in the day in Tel Aviv.


3. (C) Fassi Fihri hoped Mishal would not push the visit to
Morocco and would back out when it was clear that neither the
King nor the foreign minister would receive him. "In fact I
do not think he will come," Fassi Fihri said. Nevertheless,
the issue was much larger than Khalid Mishal's visit. What
was Morocco to do with Hamas in the future? Morocco is in
touch with other Arab countries. "All of them have received
Hamas," he said, including Jordan and the Gulf countries.
"Morocco is the last stop," Fassi Fihri said.


4. (C) Fassi Fihri reiterated that if Mishal did come to
Morocco, Morocco would reinforce the Quartet principles. He
said after the Tel Aviv bombing, "the situation with Hamas
would be different."


5. (C) Closing the discussion, Fassi Fihri said it was good
the US was increasing assistance to the Palestinian people,
but who would pay the salaries of government workers and the
Palestinian police? Fassi Fihri noted the Iranians are
stepping in to fill the void.


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Riley