Varied Reactions to Bombings in Casablanca

C O N F I D E N T I A L CASABLANCA 000085

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/MAG, INR/NESA/NAP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/27/2017
TAGS: MO PGOV PINR PREL
SUBJECT: Varied Reactions to Bombings in Casablanca

REF: A) CASABLANCA 000079

B) CASABLANCA 000064
C) 06 CASABLANCA 000409

Classified By: Principal Officer Douglas C. Greene for Reasons 1.4
(b),(d).


1. (SBU) Summary: Nearly six weeks after the first in a series of
suicide bombings that shook Casablanca, residents of the city are
still grasping for explanations. Finding themselves at a loss for
answers, many citizens are reacting to the recent explosions at the
U.S. Consulate and privately-run American Language Center with either
detachment or concern. In any case, security in the city, both
official and private, has increased markedly, and many Moroccans,
somewhat uncharacteristically, are more willing to take an active
role in helping authorities to find terrorists. End Summary.

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Just a Bunch of Crazy Guys
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2. (U) The series of suicide bombings that took place in Casablanca
on March 11, April 10, and April 14 have left residents wondering how
to come to terms with the terrorism in their midst. One reaction is
nonchalance. When asked for his perspective a few days after two
explosions occurred near the U.S. Consulate and the privately-run
American Language Center, a salesman at a sporting goods store
remarked, "It's nothing." He went on to explain that the
perpetrators of these attacks are not true Moroccans or Muslims, and
can be dismissed as part of an anomalous, marginal group without
larger ill intentions. A Moroccan woman who lives one block from the
Consulate expressed the same sentiment, saying she thinks the
bombings are "not a big deal" and the bombers are "just a bunch of
crazy guys." These same responses were repeated time and again by
other Moroccans asked similar questions.


3. (U) Others try to downplay recent events by underscoring reports
that no link has been found between Morocco's recent suicide bombers
and Al Qaeda or, more specifically, the Al Qaeda in the Maghreb group
that claimed responsibility for the April 11 bomb attack in
neighboring Algiers. According to this line of thinking, Morocco's
terrorists are amateurs who use rudimentary explosives and have
deliberately avoided killing large numbers of people. (To date, six
suicide bombers and one policeman have died from the explosions and
one bomber was shot by police before he had the opportunity to
detonate the device he was wearing).


4. (U) Some Moroccans buy into media reports that the police have
captured the terrorists involved, preempting any further attacks. A
guard at Dar America said police had done a stellar job and had the
situation "wrapped up." He optimistically projected that the U.S.
Consulate and Dar America staff would return to work a week following
the latest attacks as a result. Even Interior Minister Chakib
Benmoussa, who has been publicly frank about the on-going terrorist
threat, said recently that the two terrorist groups behind the spate
of bombings have been "totally dismantled." While such comments
encourage a sense of calm, they also promote denial of terrorism's
potential scope in Morocco.

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Or, a Reason to be Scared
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5. (U) At the same time that some find ways to rationalize recent
suicide bombings in Casablanca, others are fearful and refuse to
dismiss terrorist activity as a passing phase. Some Casablancans
express newfound fears and admit to altering patterns in their
everyday life due to the possibility of additional attacks.
Consequently, merchants in the tony shopping district of Maarif, not
far from the site of the most recent bombings, have noted a
considerable drop in business. Caf owners and taxi drivers agree,
noting that business, especially in the evening, has decreased
significantly. "People are going home earlier," one cab driver
reported, "because there just seems to be more aggression on the
street." Not only small businesses are suffering. According to one
well-connected, international businessman, his Casablanca colleagues
report a decrease in overall business of up to forty-five percent.
On a positive note, however, he said they expect things to bounce
back quickly if there are no additional attacks in the area.


6. (SBU) While some have hopes of a quick rebound to normalcy, others
are proceeding cautiously. Casablanca's three American schools have
instituted strict new security measures and cut numerous activities
and events. They are not the only schools to react with concern.
One Moroccan contact reported that the events in Casablanca have
reached far beyond the city itself. The bombings, he claimed, made
him consider closing the small American school he recently
established in Agadir. "At first, I just thought it was too
dangerous for the American teachers working there," he said. "Then,
I realized that what we teach here-the American ideals of democracy
and tolerance-is too important to give up, even now." He added,
however, that he is still nervous about the school and fearful for
his family members in Casablanca.

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Suspicion and Concern
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7. (SBU) Until the April 14 attacks, the bombings in Casablanca were
confined to non-elite neighborhoods in the city, leaving those living
in wealthier areas feeling somewhat secure. That situation has now
changed. It is no longer simply those who live in low-income areas
who move about with apprehension and keep a close eye on their
neighbors. Anyone carrying a parcel on a bus or in a crowded taxi is
under suspicion.


8. (SBU) Culturally, Moroccans rarely insert themselves in events
outside their personal sphere. This cultural norm seems to have
changed in light of events beginning March 11. Since that time, we
have heard numerous reports from Moroccans about bearded strangers
entering cafes, only to have regular patrons question the owner about
his familiarity with the person. Some are even suspicious of those
they do know. One pharmacist chuckled as she recounted the story of
a clinic security guard who patted down a familiar local guard
because he was "acting spacey" and wearing a bulky sweater that could
have been hiding explosives.

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Security Situation
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9. (U) On the streets of Casablanca, private security guards can be
found posted outside nearly every restaurant, shop, and bar. For
many of these establishments, this measure is new. For others, it is
a practice resurrected from the May 16, 2003 attacks. Other
businesses with security measures in place before the bombings have
stepped up their vigilance in recent days. Some businesses check
bags, have guard dogs, and/or restrict access by blocking multiple
entrances, forcing clients to file through a single door. McDonald's
restaurants throughout Casablanca have added car checks at parking
lot entrances.


10. (SBU) The Ministry of the Interior (MOI) has also stepped up
security measures throughout the city. The MOI force auxiliaire, an
unarmed security force trained for riot and crowd control, is now
deployed on the major streets and boulevards of Casablanca to
reinforce the police presence. In addition, this week the MOI
announced that Casablanca's police force will be immediately
increased by 2000 officers, with another 2700 to be hired and trained
this summer.


11. (SBU) Comment: Casablancans are receiving mixed messages about
the threat of terrorism in Morocco. On the one hand, they are being
told that arrests have been made, the situation is under control, and
life should return to normal. On the other hand, the government
remains on high alert and continues to hunt for terrorists throughout
the country. People remain suspicious and on edge, fearful of what
may lay ahead. In this atmosphere, a new, large-scale attack,
especially in tourist destinations such as Marrakesh and Agadir,
could damage the Moroccan economy, as well as drive home the message
that Moroccans are no longer immune to terrorism on their own soil.
End Comment.

GREENE