Misuse of Life Sciences Research - Morocco

UNCLAS RABAT 000808

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR OES/IHA
STATE ALSO FOR NEA/MAG
PLEASE PASS HHS/NIH FOR AMY PATTERSON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO PTER KTIA MO
SUBJECT: Misuse of Life Sciences Research - Morocco

REF: STATE 56179


1. On April 25, post delivered reftel demarche and
questions regarding misuse of life sciences to Dr. Khalid
Temsamani, National Coordinator of Materials Science at the
Department of Scientific Research at the Moroccan Ministry
of Higher Education. Temsamani provided responses and point
of contact information (see para 3),as requested.


2. Temsamani confirmed that Morocco is a signatory to the
2000 Cartagena Protocol on the Prevention of Biological
Risks and reported that the Government of Morocco (GOM) is
currently engaged in the ratification process. The Moroccan
government is establishing an inter-ministerial "National
Biosecurity Committee" whose remit and plan of action was
set by the Prime Minister. The Ministry of Environment is
currently conducting a study for the establishment of a
National Biosecurity Committee and related personnel.
Temsamani told emboffs that Morocco has no evidence of any
type of biological threat nor of dual-use bio-scientific
research "that do not conform with international ethics."
Moroccan officials would be very interested in participating
in discussions on the possible dual-use of bio-scientific
research and would like to receive information on the
American initiatives on this subject.



3. Temsamani identified two GOM points of contact and one
non-governmental point of contact:


Mr. Zayer El Majid
Director
Directorate of Scientific Research and Technologies
Moroccan Ministry of Higher Education
29 Avenue d'Alger
Hassan B.P.
4500-Rabat
Tel: [212] (37) 20-24-12
Fax: [212] (37) 72-22
z.elmajid@enssup.gov.ma


Dr. Khalid R. Temsamani
National Coordinator for Scientific Research
(Moroccan Representative to the NSF)
Department of Scientific Research
Moroccan Ministry of Higher Education
29 Avenue d'Alger
Hassan B.P.
4500-Rabat
Tel: [212] (37) 70-60-18
Fax: [212] (37) 73-72-22
Cell: [212] (64) 49-01-50
temsamani@ensup.gov.ma


Prof. Filali Maltouf
Biologist
Sciences Faculty (Rabat)
University Mohammed V, Rabat
filialimaltouf@gmail.com


BUSH