MOROCCO: GOM STRONGLY BACKING FATAH, BUT PUBLIC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RABAT 001062 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2017 TAGS: PREL PTER MO XF SUBJECT: MOROCCO: GOM STRONGLY BACKING FATAH, BUT PUBLIC MAY BE LEANING TOWARD HAMAS REF: RABAT 974 Classified by DCM Wayne Bush for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: King Mohammed VI wrote to Palestinian President Abbas on June 15 to express the GOM's support. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the letter to us as "the highest expression of support for Abu Mazen we can provide." Despite the Moroccan government's firm support for Abbas and Fatah, there are indications that the Moroccan street is more sympathetic to Hamas, with posters of Hamas leaders and "martyrs" appearing on university campuses and pro-Hamas talk heard among cab drivers and market vendors. The newspaper affiliated with the Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) is also openly siding with Hamas and slamming Fatah "treason." End summary. ¶2. (SBU) In the aftermath of the internecine fighting on the Gaza Strip and Abu Mazen's dissolution of the Palestinian government, King Mohammed VI wrote to the embattled Palestinian President on June 15 to express support. "I should like to tell you how much the Kingdom of Morocco sympathizes with your afflicted people who are legitimately yearning for the restoration of security and stability under the rule of law and state institutions," the King wrote. "...It is necessary to ensure that the higher national interests of the Palestinian people prevail..to enable the steadfast Palestinian people to establish, under your wise leadership, an independent state, with noble Jerusalem as its capital, in compliance with international legality, the Arab Peace Initiative, and arrangements reached by the parties concerned." ¶3. (C) The King's letter was "the highest expression of support for Abu Mazen we can provide," Hassan Hami, Director of Arab League and Islamic Affairs at the Foreign Ministry told us on June 25. Hami also pointed out the letter's (implicit) reaffirmation of Morocco's consistent support for the Roadmap and (explicit) reaffirmation of the Arab Peace Initiative and a two-state solution. He added that despite the chaotic developments in Gaza, Morocco would keep open its tiny diplomatic post there (currently occupied by one diplomat acting as Charge d'Affaires),though he allowed that the post could conceivably move to Ramallah should the PA request it. ¶4. (C) Despite the GOM's public support for Abu Mazen, there are indications that the Moroccan street is more sympathetic to Hamas (though we are not aware of any reliable polling data to support this impression). Posters of Hamas "martyrs" Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and Abdelaziz Rantisi, as well as recently-dismissed Prime Minister Haniyah, have been spotted on university campuses. POL FSN's recent conversations with several taxi drivers and vendors at a Sunday market in the working class district of Temara, on the southern fringes of Rabat, yielded references to Abu Mazen as a "traitor" who "always sides with the Zionists" and Hamas as "heroes" who will "fight Israel and win, because God is on their side." ¶5. (SBU) These sentiments have also been clearly reflected in Al-Tajdid, the Islamist/Arabic daily affiliated with Morocco's Justice and Development Party (PJD),which is poised to significantly expand its presence in parliament in this September's legislative elections. Al-Tajdid's coverage of the Hamas-Fatah split, and references to Fatah's leadership, have been consistently shrill. The paper's June 17 edition was typical, with an above-the-fold photo showing Fatah security chief Mohammed Dahlan in conversation with Ehud Olmert. The photo caption read "Dahlan and Olmert - Enemies of the Palestinian people." Another recent cover photo depicted Olmert's visit to the Oval Office, with Abu Mazen's picture inserted between President Bush and his Israeli guest. ¶6. (C) Comment: We expect the GOM will adhere to Morocco's constructive and moderate approach to the Arab-Israeli conlict, typified most recently by its statements of support for Abu Mazen and its reception of an Israeli diplomatic delegation in late May (reftel). At the same time, the GOM will be careful not to position itself ahead of the Arab League consensus, and will no doubt keep a wary eye on domestic public opinion, where hard line attitudes have prevailed, particularly since last summer's Lebanon war. End comment. ****************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ****************************************** RABAT 00001062 002 OF 002 RILEY