Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07RABAT683
2007-04-18 21:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rabat
Cable title:
THEIR RABAT CHARGE SAYS SOUTH AFRICA MIGHT BE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0023 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHRB #0683 1082156 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 182156Z APR 07 FM AMEMBASSY RABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6351 INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0691 RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS PRIORITY 4386 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 3281 RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID PRIORITY 5698 RUEHNK/AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT PRIORITY 3468 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 4604 RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA PRIORITY 0218 RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS PRIORITY 9257 RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA PRIORITY 2934
C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000683
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/MAG,
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2009
TAGS: PBTS PHUM PREL WI MO SF UNSC
SUBJECT: THEIR RABAT CHARGE SAYS SOUTH AFRICA MIGHT BE
HELPFUL ON WESTERN SAHARA
Classified By: Pol/Couns Craig Karp for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000683
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/MAG,
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2009
TAGS: PBTS PHUM PREL WI MO SF UNSC
SUBJECT: THEIR RABAT CHARGE SAYS SOUTH AFRICA MIGHT BE
HELPFUL ON WESTERN SAHARA
Classified By: Pol/Couns Craig Karp for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary: South African Charge to Morocco Charl Moller
told Polcouns April 16 that South Africa will not abandon the
principle of self determination for the Western Sahara
without wavering, it would accept a political settlement
agreed to by the POLISARIO. Moller said that South Africa is
in touch with the POLISARIO and might be prevailed upon to
urge the FOLISARIO to enter unconditional talks. Moller said
internal pressure was mounting on the South Africans to do
something about Zimbabwe. End Summary.
2. (C) Moller said South Africa (SA) sent Deputy Director
General for International Organizations (A/S equivalent)
along with North Africa desk officer to Rabat last week for
consultations, the latter apparently proceeded to New York
for the discussion on the Sahara. The South Africans pressed
Rabat on improving bilateral relations. This is important to
South Africa, which supplies 70 percent of Morocco's coal.
They have not had Ambassadors for some time and S.Africa
would like to send one.
3. (C) Moller said that the Moroccans only wanted to talk
about Western Sahara. While SA had no flexibility on
self-determination they were more flexible about a political
solution. SA has had indications of considerable differences
of views in the Polisario hierarchy, particularly among
younger members. People are getting tired of the desert, and
the new generation has grown up without knowing the armed
struggle. Close ties with Cuba have rubbed off on some and
remains reflected in leadership rhetoric.
4. (C) Moller believed that South Africa could support the
notion of talks without preconditions, and could be mobilized
to help convince the POLISARIO. He volunteered a suggestion
that USUN sit down with the S.African Mission and solicit
their help in getting the parties together (acknowledging the
PR is hardcore on self determination).
5. (C) As a former desk officer for Zimbabwe, Moller
complained that the situation there is a real problem for
South Africa-- an internal problem. Refugees come to live in
the townships and do not fit in due to language
difficulties,. They are perceived by Township residents as
trying to take away scarce jobs, which has caused outbreaks
of strife and contributing to an increase in xenophobia.
Zimbabweans, he said are perceived as being responsible for
an intensification of violent crime. He would not speculate
as to whether or when this would force the SA government to
put decisive pressure on Mugabe.
******************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
******************************************
RILEY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/MAG,
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2009
TAGS: PBTS PHUM PREL WI MO SF UNSC
SUBJECT: THEIR RABAT CHARGE SAYS SOUTH AFRICA MIGHT BE
HELPFUL ON WESTERN SAHARA
Classified By: Pol/Couns Craig Karp for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary: South African Charge to Morocco Charl Moller
told Polcouns April 16 that South Africa will not abandon the
principle of self determination for the Western Sahara
without wavering, it would accept a political settlement
agreed to by the POLISARIO. Moller said that South Africa is
in touch with the POLISARIO and might be prevailed upon to
urge the FOLISARIO to enter unconditional talks. Moller said
internal pressure was mounting on the South Africans to do
something about Zimbabwe. End Summary.
2. (C) Moller said South Africa (SA) sent Deputy Director
General for International Organizations (A/S equivalent)
along with North Africa desk officer to Rabat last week for
consultations, the latter apparently proceeded to New York
for the discussion on the Sahara. The South Africans pressed
Rabat on improving bilateral relations. This is important to
South Africa, which supplies 70 percent of Morocco's coal.
They have not had Ambassadors for some time and S.Africa
would like to send one.
3. (C) Moller said that the Moroccans only wanted to talk
about Western Sahara. While SA had no flexibility on
self-determination they were more flexible about a political
solution. SA has had indications of considerable differences
of views in the Polisario hierarchy, particularly among
younger members. People are getting tired of the desert, and
the new generation has grown up without knowing the armed
struggle. Close ties with Cuba have rubbed off on some and
remains reflected in leadership rhetoric.
4. (C) Moller believed that South Africa could support the
notion of talks without preconditions, and could be mobilized
to help convince the POLISARIO. He volunteered a suggestion
that USUN sit down with the S.African Mission and solicit
their help in getting the parties together (acknowledging the
PR is hardcore on self determination).
5. (C) As a former desk officer for Zimbabwe, Moller
complained that the situation there is a real problem for
South Africa-- an internal problem. Refugees come to live in
the townships and do not fit in due to language
difficulties,. They are perceived by Township residents as
trying to take away scarce jobs, which has caused outbreaks
of strife and contributing to an increase in xenophobia.
Zimbabweans, he said are perceived as being responsible for
an intensification of violent crime. He would not speculate
as to whether or when this would force the SA government to
put decisive pressure on Mugabe.
******************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
******************************************
RILEY