Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07RABAT1482
2007-09-18 12:22:00
SECRET
Embassy Rabat
how-toVZCZCXYZ0008 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHRB #1482 2611222 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 181222Z SEP 07 FM AMEMBASSY RABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7425 INFO RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS IMMEDIATE 4769 RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA IMMEDIATE 3493
S E C R E T RABAT 001482
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/MAG, PM/RSAT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2017
TAGS: PREL MO
SUBJECT: MOROCCO WANTS TO PURCHASE F-16S
REF: A. SECRETARY GATES LETTER TO KING MOHAMMED VI
B. RABAT 576
Classified By: Ambassador Thomas T. Riley for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
S E C R E T RABAT 001482
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/MAG, PM/RSAT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2017
TAGS: PREL MO
SUBJECT: MOROCCO WANTS TO PURCHASE F-16S
REF: A. SECRETARY GATES LETTER TO KING MOHAMMED VI
B. RABAT 576
Classified By: Ambassador Thomas T. Riley for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S) Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR)
General Abdelaziz Bennani, Morocco's Chief of Defense
Equivalent, telephoned the Ambassador late evening September
16 to inform that Morocco decided to select the F-16 aircraft
to upgrade its aging fighter fleet.
2. (S) Subsequently, in a September 17 meeting with visiting
Commander U.S. Air Forces Europe General Tom Hobbins, General
Bennani reaffirmed Morocco's decision to purchase the F-16.
Out of the five options previously presented to the Moroccan
military, the GOM has elected to pursue the purchase of 24
new "block 50" fighters, Bennani said. General Bennani also
requested that the transaction be completed as soon as
possible, preferably by December. The Moroccan side did not
discuss financing.
3. (S) Comment: This Embassy and the USG have exerted major
efforts (refs) to secure a F-16 sale and we see this as a
solid commitment. However, the source of financing for the
purchase is still uncertain. Rumors continue to float
regarding potential sponsorship from one of Morocco's Gulf
allies, perhaps Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates. If
true, we expect this to be reflected in Morocco's financing
request.
4. (S) Comment Contd: We understand Algeria has begun
receiving some of the advanced fighter aircraft that prompted
the GOM to itself seek advanced fighters. We request that
Washington agencies do everything possible to satisfy the
Moroccan request to expedite the sale. Another
consideration: We want to lock in this sale in the face of
still serious French competition. End Comment.
*****************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
*****************************************
RILEY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/MAG, PM/RSAT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2017
TAGS: PREL MO
SUBJECT: MOROCCO WANTS TO PURCHASE F-16S
REF: A. SECRETARY GATES LETTER TO KING MOHAMMED VI
B. RABAT 576
Classified By: Ambassador Thomas T. Riley for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S) Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR)
General Abdelaziz Bennani, Morocco's Chief of Defense
Equivalent, telephoned the Ambassador late evening September
16 to inform that Morocco decided to select the F-16 aircraft
to upgrade its aging fighter fleet.
2. (S) Subsequently, in a September 17 meeting with visiting
Commander U.S. Air Forces Europe General Tom Hobbins, General
Bennani reaffirmed Morocco's decision to purchase the F-16.
Out of the five options previously presented to the Moroccan
military, the GOM has elected to pursue the purchase of 24
new "block 50" fighters, Bennani said. General Bennani also
requested that the transaction be completed as soon as
possible, preferably by December. The Moroccan side did not
discuss financing.
3. (S) Comment: This Embassy and the USG have exerted major
efforts (refs) to secure a F-16 sale and we see this as a
solid commitment. However, the source of financing for the
purchase is still uncertain. Rumors continue to float
regarding potential sponsorship from one of Morocco's Gulf
allies, perhaps Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates. If
true, we expect this to be reflected in Morocco's financing
request.
4. (S) Comment Contd: We understand Algeria has begun
receiving some of the advanced fighter aircraft that prompted
the GOM to itself seek advanced fighters. We request that
Washington agencies do everything possible to satisfy the
Moroccan request to expedite the sale. Another
consideration: We want to lock in this sale in the face of
still serious French competition. End Comment.
*****************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
*****************************************
RILEY