MOROCCO SEEKS US SUPPORT FOR GLOBAL INITIATIVE

C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000942 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA/MAG, ISN/WMDT AND T - TIM KATSAPIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2017 TAGS: PARM PTER PREL KGIT MO SUBJECT: MOROCCO SEEKS US SUPPORT FOR GLOBAL INITIATIVE ACTIVITIES REF: RABAT 640 Classified By: A/Polcouns Ian J. McCary for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. This is an action message. Please see para 4. ¶2. (C) During a May 31 meeting, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Division Chief for United Nations Affairs Azzedine Farhane told poloff that Morocco is interested in potential USG assistance for Morocco,s planned Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GI) plan of work activities. According to Farhane, the GOM is interested in U.S. "logistical support" (read funding) and expertise, and is ready to engage in a discussion with the U.S. on possibilities. Farhane said the MFA will also approach the IAEA with a similar request. MFA Secretary General Omar Hilale, the Moroccan head of delegation to the Astana meeting, also plans to raise this issue at that venue during the scheduled review of the plan of work. ¶3. (C) According to Farhane, Morocco plans to hold the Illicit Trafficking activity in November or December of 2007, the Emergency Response activity in May or June of 2008, and the Regional Outreach activity in the first quarter of 2008. Farhane explained that the Regional Outreach event will focus on encouraging West African countries to join the GI. Poloff urged that Morocco's outreach activity should be broadened to also include Arabic-speaking countries from the region. Farhane, in response, said the event "could" be extended to Arab countries, though expansion of the event would be "complicated." Farhane pledged to raise the idea with others in the Ministry. ¶4. (C) ACTION REQUEST: Embassy requests Department guidance in responding to Morocco's solicitation of USG assistance for their proposed GI activities. ****************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ****************************************** RILEY