MOROCCO: ATTENDANCE AT OSCE MEDITERRANEAN SEMINAR

UNCLAS RABAT 001862 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR NEA/MAG VIENNA FOR USOSCE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL SOCI OSCE EG MO XF SUBJECT: MOROCCO: ATTENDANCE AT OSCE MEDITERRANEAN SEMINAR REF: STATE 166393 ¶1. (SBU) PolCouns raised reftel request for Moroccan participation in the OSCE Tel Aviv Seminar with Directors General for Bilateral Affairs Yussef Amrani and for International Organizations Mohammed Azeroual (P-level) on December 13 and 14, stressing its importance to the partnership. Amrani confirmed that Morocco places great importance on its participation in the OSCE, noting that there was an OSCE-sponsored seminar on migration in Rabat that very week (with USG/CSCE attendance),in which he participated. There was also an Israeli delegation at the seminar, which Amrani met. ¶2. (SBU) On December 18, Amrani regretted that Morocco would not be able to attend the Tel Aviv meeting, for reasons of agenda, not substance. Moreover the seminar's topic was not of such critical importance as to require an official presence. He thought some Moroccan NGO's might be participating. Amrani underscored Morocco's openness to Israel. He had seen a senior Israeli MFA official in his office earlier in the year, and the Minister had met FM Livni in Paris. Morocco is open about its relationship and its strong support for the peace process, as noted in Annapolis. ¶3. (SBU) Post became aware of the seminar and its invitation to Morocco on receipt of reftel. Given the importance the GOM attaches to partnership activities, we would appreciate being kept better informed. Timely notice may enable us to be more persuasive with the GOM. ***************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ***************************************** Jackson