MOROCCO: MFA VIEWS ON COESPU PARTICIPATION

UNCLAS RABAT 000748 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR PM/PPA - RACHEL FEATHERSTONE, NEA/MAG E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPKO MARR IT MO SUBJECT: MOROCCO: MFA VIEWS ON COESPU PARTICIPATION REF: A. RABAT 697 AND PREVIOUS ¶B. NEA/MAG CLOSEOUT NOTES 4/19 ¶1. (U) This cable is sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly. ¶2. (SBU) Following up on reftels, Poloff met April 20 with MFA Bilateral Affairs Officer Karim Halim to discuss Moroccan participation in COESPU's second round of classes in May. Confirming the Moroccan Gendarmerie had indeed notified the Italian Defense Attache in Rabat they would not be able to participate in upcoming COESPU classes, Halim explained the Gendarmerie's difficulties. Halim argued that it is very hard for the Gendarmerie to find a candidate who has the appropriate English capabilities, who would benefit from this type of training, and is also available to travel to Italy for either four or six weeks. Halim added that, in his view, if French translation were provided, selection of appropriate candidates from the Gendarmerie would be easier, but "would not be guaranteed." In addition, Halim pointed out that Morocco was asked to nominate over 30 candidates last year, but only asked to have 6 participate this year. He wondered if being asked for only 6 candidates this year is the result of the number of participants Morocco sent in 2005. ¶3. (SBU) On the possibility of military personnel attending in the place of the Gendarmerie, Halim said it would be necessary for COESPU to send a new official request to that effect, as the initial request was very specific in asking for Gendarmerie, not "standard" military. According to Halim, a request for military candidates would essentially change the scope of COESPU in Morocco's view, because the Moroccan military is not a "gendarme-like force." He added if COESPU asked the military at this late stage, they could run the risk of receiving a negative reaction to the request from the military. The military would wonder why they were not asked to participate last year, and why they are being asked only after the Gendarmerie could not send candidates, he said. In closing, Poloff reiterated US support for Moroccan participation in COESPU. Halim pledged to contact the Embassy if he receives new information. Post will report further responses septel. ****************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ****************************************** Riley