Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07RABAT1272
2007-08-09 16:10:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rabat
Cable title:  

THE KING'S RIGHT-HAND MAN RESIGNS TO RUN FOR

Tags:  PGOV PINR XI 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO6163
PP RUEHTRO
DE RUEHRB #1272 2211610
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 091610Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY RABAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7121
INFO RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS PRIORITY 4492
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO PRIORITY 2133
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 3355
RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID PRIORITY 5748
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 4711
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI PRIORITY 0197
RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS PRIORITY 9354
RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA PRIORITY 3310
C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 001272 

SIPDIS

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PLEASE PASS TO NEA/MAG.

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/09/2017
TAGS: PGOV PINR XI
SUBJECT: THE KING'S RIGHT-HAND MAN RESIGNS TO RUN FOR
PARLIAMENT AND...

Classified By: Polcouns Craig Karp for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 001272

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

PLEASE PASS TO NEA/MAG.

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/09/2017
TAGS: PGOV PINR XI
SUBJECT: THE KING'S RIGHT-HAND MAN RESIGNS TO RUN FOR
PARLIAMENT AND...

Classified By: Polcouns Craig Karp for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (U) Shocking the conventional wisdom, the Royal Palace
announced the resignation of Fouad Ali El Himma from his post
of Delegate Minister of the Interior late on August 7. The
Palace said he was leaving his post to run in the upcoming
elections "on equal footing with all Moroccan citizens."
Palace newspaper Le Matin reported that the King accepted El
Himma's resignation praising his "human, professional
qualities" and "loyalty" to the throne. It is widely
believed that the intent is to legitimize his role as the
King's right-hand man, rather than his being moved out, with
speculation emerging in the press that he is being positioned
to be named Prime Minister after the elections.


2. (SBU) El Himma is a close friend of the King Mohammed
VI, dating from the time they studied together at the Royal
College. Earlier, El Himma was then-Crown Prince Mohammed
VI's Chief of Cabinet, and was named State Secretary to the
Interior when the King ascended the throne in 1999. He
"moved up" to the Minister-Delegate post in 2002. Due to his
close ties with the Mohammed VI, however, he is widely
believed to be the most influential person in Morocco after
the King, more important than his nominal boss, Interior
Minister Benmoussa. He previously served in Parliament as an
independent, and is not currently affiliated with any
political party. On August 8, El Himma confirmed to the
press that he would run in his old district of Ben Guerir.


3. (C) Initial reaction of the political parties has been
one of "shock and awe." As we know that at least one party
leader was called to see the king the day of the
announcement, we suspect at least government coalition
leaders may have been briefed shortly before the
announcement. One paper called the announcement an
"earthquake in the political class," concluding it is evident
that El Himma did not quit to be a simple Parliamentarian,
noting it found consternation in particular among those who
were positioning themselves for the Prime Ministership. PJD
Parliamentary chief Lahcen Daoudi called it "a bad message
for politics in general," saying that El Himma should have
announced a year -- not a month -- before the election.
Daoudi said he would campaign in the district for the PJD
candidate El Himma would be running against.


4. (C) Comment: We tend to agree with most observers who see
this not as an exile from El Himma's position close to the
throne, but as positioning for a future move with greater
legitimacy as an elected rather than appointed politician.
There is growing speculation that El Himma could come back
after elections as Interior Minister or even Prime Minister.
Such designation would probably mean he would have to be a
member of the majority coalition. This would normally be as
a political party member, although he has given no indication
of joining a party yet and he could ostensibly join the
coalition as an independent. If he ends up at Interior, this
would be the first time in Morocco's history that the
Minister of the Interior post was occupied by an elected
Parliamentarian. In either case, we believe that placing
official, constitutional role and responsibility in the hands
of the person who actually exercises the decision-making
power would serve the cause of transparency and gradual
reform, and as such this episode would represent a step
forward for democratic reform in Morocco. One potential
downside is that it could fuel the view of many Moroccans --
particularly the young -- that the elections themselves have
little real impact. End Comment.


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RILEY