MFA DISCUSSES REFORM AND COUNTERTERRORISM WITH

UNCLAS RABAT 000403 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/MAG E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER MO SUBJECT: MFA DISCUSSES REFORM AND COUNTERTERRORISM WITH CAPSTONE DELEGATION ¶1. (U) This cable is sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly. ¶2. (SBU) Summary: On February 28, a visiting CAPSTONE delegation, led by Admiral (Ret.) Henry Chiles, met with MFA Secretary General Omar Hilale to discuss bilateral and SIPDIS security issues. Highlighting Morocco's reform efforts, Hilale underscored that decisions to reform have been inspired internally and are not the result of outside pressure. He emphasized Morocco's strategic position in the region and its strong cooperation with the U.S., particularly on counterterrorism. Hilale called for U.S. support of Morocco's efforts towards a solution to the Western Sahara conflict. Commenting on reports of a decline in public opinion in Morocco towards the U.S., Hilale said Moroccans are not fundamentally anti-American, but that the drop in favorable views is likely the result of resentment towards U.S. policies in the region. End Summary. ¶3. (SBU) Omar Hilale, Secretary General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, received February 28 a visiting delegation from the CAPSTONE course at the National Defense University. Hilale highlighted the government's internal reform efforts and the leadership role Morocco has taken in the region on this front. He recognized U.S. support, but noted that Morocco,s reforms are "not inspired from outside," and are the result of decisions taken at the highest levels. "With Morocco oriented toward the future, there is no alternative," he explained. Hilale also outlined traditional internal challenges for the government such as unemployment, illiteracy, and poverty, adding that Morocco now faces a very serious and dangerous challenge in extremism. ¶4. (SBU) Hilale used the opportunity with a senior U.S. military audience to emphasize Morocco,s strategic position in the region, as well as its strong cooperation with the U.S. on counterterrorism. In this light, Hilale said the stability of the region depends on the stability of Morocco. Hilale expressed the government's concern about the increase of terrorist activity in the Maghreb and stressed the importance of international cooperation and strategic partnerships to combating this trend. The Sahel, he explained, poses a particular problem because many countries are unable to effectively secure their borders. He detailed Morocco's long-standing historical ties to Africa, and recalled a saying by the late Hassan II: "Morocco is like a tree; with roots in Africa and branches in Europe." ¶5. (SBU) Hilale expressed hope that the U.S-Morocco partnership on security issues would continue, and reiterated the role financial resources play in the ability of Morocco to combat terrorism. In this context Hilale raised Morocco,s hosting of the first meeting of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism and its active role in the forum as evidence of Morocco,s support of multilateral efforts to combat the terrorism threat. ¶6. (SBU) Turning to the Western Sahara, Hilale made a strong plea to the visiting delegation for U.S. support of Morocco's efforts towards a solution to the conflict. Hilale said a solution to the Western Sahara would help eliminate the risk of expanded terrorist activity in the Sahel region, implying that the region could become a sanctuary for terrorist without progress toward a solution. Hilale also questioned Algeria's use of government resources; "Morocco invests in development while Algeria invests in military arms," he said. ¶7. (SBU) Commenting on a recent report of declining public opinion in Morocco towards the U.S., Hilale explained that the Moroccan population is not fundamentally anti-American, but suggested that the decline in favorable attitudes likely reflects an increase in disapproval of US policies in Iraq and elsewhere in the region. Hilale added that, in his view, the negative shift in public opinion could be reversed if there were progress on key Middle East issues. Hilale shared several thoughts on ways to improve the image of the U.S. in Morocco, which included publicizing all levels of U.S. cooperation in Morocco; from civil society activities to humanitarian projects to educational and cultural outreach. ****************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ****************************************** Riley