Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07RABAT335
2007-02-20 18:59:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rabat
Cable title:
MOROCCO AND THE PALESTINIAN UNITY GOVERNMENT
how-toVZCZCXRO2376 PP RUEHROV DE RUEHRB #0335 0511859 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 201859Z FEB 07 FM AMEMBASSY RABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5888 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000335
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/20/2017
TAGS: PREL MO
SUBJECT: MOROCCO AND THE PALESTINIAN UNITY GOVERNMENT
REF: STATE 17726
Classified by Political Counselor Craig Karp for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000335
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/20/2017
TAGS: PREL MO
SUBJECT: MOROCCO AND THE PALESTINIAN UNITY GOVERNMENT
REF: STATE 17726
Classified by Political Counselor Craig Karp for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
1. (C) Drawing on points conveyed reftel, Poloff met with
Hassan Hami, Office Director of Arab Affairs at the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs on February 15, to urge that Morocco avoid
premature statements of support or engagement with the new
Palestinian National Unity Government (NUG) before its new
political platform, and commitment to Quartet principles is
clarified. Hami said Morocco was hopeful that the formation
of the NUG would finally break the internal Palestinian
stalemate, assessing that the Mecca Agreement would result in
more latitude for President Abbas on Foreign Affairs and
Security issues, while Hamas would take the lead on internal
social and economic issues.
2. (C) Hami reiterated the GOM position that Morocco has
never received a Hamas-led Palestinian delegation and has no
plans to do so. Unlike other interlocutors, however, he
suggested that this approach could not be maintained
indefinitely. He perceived pressure on the GOM from the
Moroccan public, which is more sympathetic to the
Palestinians' Islamist leadership than is the MFA.
3. (C) Comment: Energetic agitation by a small but vocal
group of activists, well-covered in the national media, has
been steadily crystalizing Moroccan public opinion on the
Palestinian issue. End comment.
******************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
******************************************
Riley
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/20/2017
TAGS: PREL MO
SUBJECT: MOROCCO AND THE PALESTINIAN UNITY GOVERNMENT
REF: STATE 17726
Classified by Political Counselor Craig Karp for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
1. (C) Drawing on points conveyed reftel, Poloff met with
Hassan Hami, Office Director of Arab Affairs at the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs on February 15, to urge that Morocco avoid
premature statements of support or engagement with the new
Palestinian National Unity Government (NUG) before its new
political platform, and commitment to Quartet principles is
clarified. Hami said Morocco was hopeful that the formation
of the NUG would finally break the internal Palestinian
stalemate, assessing that the Mecca Agreement would result in
more latitude for President Abbas on Foreign Affairs and
Security issues, while Hamas would take the lead on internal
social and economic issues.
2. (C) Hami reiterated the GOM position that Morocco has
never received a Hamas-led Palestinian delegation and has no
plans to do so. Unlike other interlocutors, however, he
suggested that this approach could not be maintained
indefinitely. He perceived pressure on the GOM from the
Moroccan public, which is more sympathetic to the
Palestinians' Islamist leadership than is the MFA.
3. (C) Comment: Energetic agitation by a small but vocal
group of activists, well-covered in the national media, has
been steadily crystalizing Moroccan public opinion on the
Palestinian issue. End comment.
******************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
******************************************
Riley