Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07RABAT417
2007-03-02 18:26:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rabat
how-toVZCZCXRO3895 OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV DE RUEHRB #0417 0611826 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 021826Z MAR 07 FM AMEMBASSY RABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6005 INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA 2761
C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000417
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/02/2017
TAGS: PREL KISL XF
SUBJECT: MOROCCO ON ARAB LEAGUE MINISTERIAL
REF: STATE 24372
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 000417
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/02/2017
TAGS: PREL KISL XF
SUBJECT: MOROCCO ON ARAB LEAGUE MINISTERIAL
REF: STATE 24372
Classified by Political Counselor Craig Karp for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: Poloff met with Hassan Hami, MFA Director for
Arab Multilateral Affairs, on the morning of March 2 to
convey U.S. positions on the Arab League's Ministerial agenda
(reftel). Hami confirmed that Foreign Minister Benaissa
would lead the Moroccan delegation to the March 3-4 Cairo
talks, adding that Mohammed Azeroual, MFA Director-General
for Multilateral Affairs was already in Cairo for
pre-Ministerial meetings. Hami offered interim responses to
U.S. points on Israel-Palestine, Iraq, Iran, Sudan, and
Lebanon, in keeping with Moroccan approaches on each issue.
Generally, Morocco tends to remain in line with Arab League
consensus positions, but is more receptive to Israeli views
than most AL states. End summary.
2. (C) On the Israeli-Palestinian situation, Hami said the
GOM was cautiously optimistic that formation of the National
Unity Government was moving in the right direction, noting
recent language from Khalid Mashaal that suggested increasing
pragmatism from hardline quarters of Hamas. Hami judged the
Mecca Agreement historic, and stressed its symbolic
importance as the site where the Prophet Muhammad had made
peace with the restive Quraysh tribe. He believed Haniya and
Hamas would be loathe to "cross" Saudi Arabia and the GCC
states by going back on the principles of the Mecca accord,
given their dependence on financial support from the Gulf.
3. (C) On Iraq, Hami expected the Arab League would extend
support to the Maliki Government and support its new
diplomatic initiative. The fact that this was an Iraqi
rather than American initiative would not be lost on AL
members, he opined.
4. (C) On Iran, Hami said discussion of a proposed nuclear
weapons free zone in the Middle East was already on the
Ministers' agenda, and pointed to AL SYG Amr Mousa's recent
statements in support of this concept. He did not know
whether implementation of UNSCR 1737 would be discussed in
detail.
5. (C) On Sudan, he expected the AL Ministers to reiterate
support for "territorial integrity," similar to formula
adopted at last year's summit in Khartoum. He would not
predict whether the Ministers would discuss the GOS' need to
cooperate with the provision of the UN heavy support package
to the AMIS.
6. (C) On Lebanon, he said AL Ministers would likely adopt
language calling for a peaceful solution to the political
crisis.
7. (C) Hami added that Morocco generally tried to avoid
becoming involved in Arab "bilateral disputes," but paid
special attention to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, noting
that the GOM had good contacts and open channels with both
Palestinians and Israelis. He reiterated Morocco's interest
in being included in multilateral efforts such as the recent
GCC plus two meeting in Kuwait.
******************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
******************************************
Riley
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/02/2017
TAGS: PREL KISL XF
SUBJECT: MOROCCO ON ARAB LEAGUE MINISTERIAL
REF: STATE 24372
Classified by Political Counselor Craig Karp for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: Poloff met with Hassan Hami, MFA Director for
Arab Multilateral Affairs, on the morning of March 2 to
convey U.S. positions on the Arab League's Ministerial agenda
(reftel). Hami confirmed that Foreign Minister Benaissa
would lead the Moroccan delegation to the March 3-4 Cairo
talks, adding that Mohammed Azeroual, MFA Director-General
for Multilateral Affairs was already in Cairo for
pre-Ministerial meetings. Hami offered interim responses to
U.S. points on Israel-Palestine, Iraq, Iran, Sudan, and
Lebanon, in keeping with Moroccan approaches on each issue.
Generally, Morocco tends to remain in line with Arab League
consensus positions, but is more receptive to Israeli views
than most AL states. End summary.
2. (C) On the Israeli-Palestinian situation, Hami said the
GOM was cautiously optimistic that formation of the National
Unity Government was moving in the right direction, noting
recent language from Khalid Mashaal that suggested increasing
pragmatism from hardline quarters of Hamas. Hami judged the
Mecca Agreement historic, and stressed its symbolic
importance as the site where the Prophet Muhammad had made
peace with the restive Quraysh tribe. He believed Haniya and
Hamas would be loathe to "cross" Saudi Arabia and the GCC
states by going back on the principles of the Mecca accord,
given their dependence on financial support from the Gulf.
3. (C) On Iraq, Hami expected the Arab League would extend
support to the Maliki Government and support its new
diplomatic initiative. The fact that this was an Iraqi
rather than American initiative would not be lost on AL
members, he opined.
4. (C) On Iran, Hami said discussion of a proposed nuclear
weapons free zone in the Middle East was already on the
Ministers' agenda, and pointed to AL SYG Amr Mousa's recent
statements in support of this concept. He did not know
whether implementation of UNSCR 1737 would be discussed in
detail.
5. (C) On Sudan, he expected the AL Ministers to reiterate
support for "territorial integrity," similar to formula
adopted at last year's summit in Khartoum. He would not
predict whether the Ministers would discuss the GOS' need to
cooperate with the provision of the UN heavy support package
to the AMIS.
6. (C) On Lebanon, he said AL Ministers would likely adopt
language calling for a peaceful solution to the political
crisis.
7. (C) Hami added that Morocco generally tried to avoid
becoming involved in Arab "bilateral disputes," but paid
special attention to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, noting
that the GOM had good contacts and open channels with both
Palestinians and Israelis. He reiterated Morocco's interest
in being included in multilateral efforts such as the recent
GCC plus two meeting in Kuwait.
******************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
******************************************
Riley