Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07RABAT1861
2007-12-19 12:54:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rabat
how-toVZCZCXYZ0004 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHRB #1861 3531254 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 191254Z DEC 07 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY RABAT TO RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS PRIORITY 4616 RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7910 INFO RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA 3766
C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 001861
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA/MAG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/31/2018
TAGS: AG MO WI PHUM
SUBJECT: WESTERN SAHARA CBM UPDATE.
Classified By: Classified by Political Counselor, Craig Karp for reason
s 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 001861
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA/MAG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/31/2018
TAGS: AG MO WI PHUM
SUBJECT: WESTERN SAHARA CBM UPDATE.
Classified By: Classified by Political Counselor, Craig Karp for reason
s 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (U) UNHCR Sahara program Chief Mazen Abu Shenab briefed
the Rabat diplomatic community December 12 on the HCR
Confidence Building Measures for Western Sahara and the
refugees. Mazen said in CPY 07 HCR had received S2.4 million
in pledges for a $3.4 million program, but UNHCR covered the
shortfall with central funds.
2. (SBU) The CBM program had several components: family
visits, telephone communications, mail exchange, seminars and
a related information outreach program. Only the flight
exchanges of Sahrawis from the Morocco controlled territory
with those from the camps were fully operative. The telephone
centers were up, but not fully implemented. The mail had not
worked out, but the exchange visitors frequently carry mail
for/to both sides. (We keep urging them to use private
delivery services like DHL)
3. (C) UNHCR was working on the CBM budget for 08. This
would include increased funding for the jewel of the program,
the humanitarian exchanges, roughly at the same level. They
were working on road crossings, which would mean 120 persons
at a time rather than the current 25 per flight, at half the
weekly cost once certain capital expenses were absorbed.
Algeria had rejected using the most direct route from Tindouf
via Mahbes to Smara and was proposing indirect routes (such
as via Tifarity) that would involve the POLISARIO in the
transfers, which the Moroccans had rejected. Mazen said he
was pursuing various compromises and had been granted a
meeting with General Benanni, the head of the Moroccan Army
to discuss this, which he interpreted as a good sign.
4. (SBU) If the road exchanges could not get underway, HCR
could at least double the amount of air exchanges The Flights
cost $7000 each. Mazen urged the donors to be generous and
fund the appeal, or the exchanges might have to stop.
Countries present urged HCR to present its request as soon as
possible. Polcouns noted that last year's request was
presented to donors only in April, which made donation
difficult. Mazen praised the USG for being the first and
largest donor and urged others to follow its example.
5. (SBU) In discussing the HCR information campaign, he
reported that local Laayoune TV is viewable in Tindouf, and
Laayoune radio is receivable so the people in the camps, so
they know the Moroccan position. Also, Polisario radio is
able to be picked up in the Moroccan-administered territory.
The refugees in Tindouf also watch Spanish television, as do
some in the territory.
*****************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
*****************************************
Jackson
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA/MAG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/31/2018
TAGS: AG MO WI PHUM
SUBJECT: WESTERN SAHARA CBM UPDATE.
Classified By: Classified by Political Counselor, Craig Karp for reason
s 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (U) UNHCR Sahara program Chief Mazen Abu Shenab briefed
the Rabat diplomatic community December 12 on the HCR
Confidence Building Measures for Western Sahara and the
refugees. Mazen said in CPY 07 HCR had received S2.4 million
in pledges for a $3.4 million program, but UNHCR covered the
shortfall with central funds.
2. (SBU) The CBM program had several components: family
visits, telephone communications, mail exchange, seminars and
a related information outreach program. Only the flight
exchanges of Sahrawis from the Morocco controlled territory
with those from the camps were fully operative. The telephone
centers were up, but not fully implemented. The mail had not
worked out, but the exchange visitors frequently carry mail
for/to both sides. (We keep urging them to use private
delivery services like DHL)
3. (C) UNHCR was working on the CBM budget for 08. This
would include increased funding for the jewel of the program,
the humanitarian exchanges, roughly at the same level. They
were working on road crossings, which would mean 120 persons
at a time rather than the current 25 per flight, at half the
weekly cost once certain capital expenses were absorbed.
Algeria had rejected using the most direct route from Tindouf
via Mahbes to Smara and was proposing indirect routes (such
as via Tifarity) that would involve the POLISARIO in the
transfers, which the Moroccans had rejected. Mazen said he
was pursuing various compromises and had been granted a
meeting with General Benanni, the head of the Moroccan Army
to discuss this, which he interpreted as a good sign.
4. (SBU) If the road exchanges could not get underway, HCR
could at least double the amount of air exchanges The Flights
cost $7000 each. Mazen urged the donors to be generous and
fund the appeal, or the exchanges might have to stop.
Countries present urged HCR to present its request as soon as
possible. Polcouns noted that last year's request was
presented to donors only in April, which made donation
difficult. Mazen praised the USG for being the first and
largest donor and urged others to follow its example.
5. (SBU) In discussing the HCR information campaign, he
reported that local Laayoune TV is viewable in Tindouf, and
Laayoune radio is receivable so the people in the camps, so
they know the Moroccan position. Also, Polisario radio is
able to be picked up in the Moroccan-administered territory.
The refugees in Tindouf also watch Spanish television, as do
some in the territory.
*****************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
*****************************************
Jackson