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