MOROCCO BATTALION APPEARS TO REMAIN ON DUTY; SORO

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABIDJAN 000802 SIPDIS SIPDIS IO FOR ODELL USUN FOR TRASTYMAN, MORRIS AF FOR BITTRICK, BANKS, PLUMB E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2017 TAGS: KPKO UNSC PREL IV SUBJECT: MOROCCO BATTALION APPEARS TO REMAIN ON DUTY; SORO QUIETLY SUPPORTS THEIR CONTINUED ROLE REF: ABIDJAN 781 Classified By: EconChief EMassinga, Reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (C) Emboff's security detail during a recent trip to Bouake (septel) was from the Moroccan battalion, recently the subject of controversy relating to allegations of sexual misconduct (reftel A). The security detail was professional, courteous, and well-disciplined. Emboff traveled around the town of Bouake extensively; there was no/no negative reaction, or even notice, from the city's citizenry, although the allegations were widely known and circulated. It was very clear to Emboff that despite ONUCI public statements that the MorBatt was confined to barracks and suspended from duties, they remain very much on the job. ¶2. (C) During a July 25 conversation with Forces Nouvelles Deputy Director of Cabinet Cisse Sindou, Sindou said the FNs had sent ONUCI a confidential letter asking the Moroccans be retained, and that punishment be assessed individually, not collectively. The letter noted that the Moroccan battalion was perhaps ONUCI's best, and that it would be needed for the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration phase of the peace process. The mayor of a large town near Bouake which hosts a MorBatt base wrote a similar, public letter to ONUCI, and has publicly called on the UN to retain the troops and allow them to patrol. HOOKS