Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07RABAT1128
2007-07-10 17:41:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rabat
Cable title:
FRENCH FURIOUS OVER MOROCCO'S "MALADROIT"
how-toVZCZCXRO8344 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV DE RUEHRB #1128 1911741 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 101741Z JUL 07 FM AMEMBASSY RABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6899 INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 5733 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 4670 RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA 3208
C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 001128
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/10/2017
TAGS: PREL MO FR
SUBJECT: FRENCH FURIOUS OVER MOROCCO'S "MALADROIT"
CANCELLATION OF SARKOZY VISIT
Classified by DCM Wayne Bush for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 001128
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/10/2017
TAGS: PREL MO FR
SUBJECT: FRENCH FURIOUS OVER MOROCCO'S "MALADROIT"
CANCELLATION OF SARKOZY VISIT
Classified by DCM Wayne Bush for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) A French diplomatic colleague (protect) privately
admitted July 9 that the upper reaches of the French
government were furious about the postponement/cancellation
of the Sarkozy visit planned for July 10. This was done
directly between MFA Minister-Delegate Fassi Fihri and the
Elysee at the request of the Moroccans, not through the
Embassy. Fassi Fihri did not even cancel when he was in
Paris last week, but only after his return. The GOM cited
agenda considerations, an excuse so empty as to add to the
slight.
2. (C) Our colleague said that the Moroccan MFA had
previously raised concerns that Sarkozy was breaking with
tradition by not making Morocco his first stop. The
Moroccans were unconvinced by the French counter-argument
that that for the King to have the "last word" after
Sarkozy's meeting with Bouteflika would have been to
Morocco's advantage.
3. (C) Our contact was frustrated due to all the preparations
and advance work that had been done, including a lot of site
work in Oujda. The King had been in Oujda for nearly a week,
engaged in such high priority tasks as cutting the ribbon for
a USG-sponsored abattoir. This, he said, was "maladroit" and
an act which would affect the normally quite close relations
between France and Morocco, underscoring that key French
polices towards Morocco, including on Sahara, had not changed
under Sarkozy. The damage may be repaired, he maintained, as
both sides have agreed that Sarkozy will visit Morocco in the
second half of October.
4. (C) COMMENT: There is widespread surprise that this was
done to the close friends of Morocco, the French. In late
spring, the King asked at the last minute to postpone a
long-planned visit by Brazilian President Lula. Brazilians
diplomats were exasperated and told us they did not think the
GOB will offer another date soon. Despite Morocco's
diplomatic successes, it may sometimes be difficult for the
royal court to recognize the negative impact that such
actions may have on Morocco,s long-term interests.
******************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
******************************************
RILEY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/10/2017
TAGS: PREL MO FR
SUBJECT: FRENCH FURIOUS OVER MOROCCO'S "MALADROIT"
CANCELLATION OF SARKOZY VISIT
Classified by DCM Wayne Bush for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) A French diplomatic colleague (protect) privately
admitted July 9 that the upper reaches of the French
government were furious about the postponement/cancellation
of the Sarkozy visit planned for July 10. This was done
directly between MFA Minister-Delegate Fassi Fihri and the
Elysee at the request of the Moroccans, not through the
Embassy. Fassi Fihri did not even cancel when he was in
Paris last week, but only after his return. The GOM cited
agenda considerations, an excuse so empty as to add to the
slight.
2. (C) Our colleague said that the Moroccan MFA had
previously raised concerns that Sarkozy was breaking with
tradition by not making Morocco his first stop. The
Moroccans were unconvinced by the French counter-argument
that that for the King to have the "last word" after
Sarkozy's meeting with Bouteflika would have been to
Morocco's advantage.
3. (C) Our contact was frustrated due to all the preparations
and advance work that had been done, including a lot of site
work in Oujda. The King had been in Oujda for nearly a week,
engaged in such high priority tasks as cutting the ribbon for
a USG-sponsored abattoir. This, he said, was "maladroit" and
an act which would affect the normally quite close relations
between France and Morocco, underscoring that key French
polices towards Morocco, including on Sahara, had not changed
under Sarkozy. The damage may be repaired, he maintained, as
both sides have agreed that Sarkozy will visit Morocco in the
second half of October.
4. (C) COMMENT: There is widespread surprise that this was
done to the close friends of Morocco, the French. In late
spring, the King asked at the last minute to postpone a
long-planned visit by Brazilian President Lula. Brazilians
diplomats were exasperated and told us they did not think the
GOB will offer another date soon. Despite Morocco's
diplomatic successes, it may sometimes be difficult for the
royal court to recognize the negative impact that such
actions may have on Morocco,s long-term interests.
******************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
******************************************
RILEY