DISMANTLED TERRORIST NETWORK ILLICITS SHOCK, BUT NOT

C O N F I D E N T I A L CASABLANCA 000038

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/MAG AND NEA/PI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/25/2018
TAGS: PTER PINS PGOV KDEM MO
SUBJECT: DISMANTLED TERRORIST NETWORK ILLICITS SHOCK, BUT NOT
SURPRISE IN CASABLANCA

REF: RABAT 00171


1. (C) Summary: Casablancans reacted to the news of the discovery of
an extensive terrorist network in Morocco with shock, but not
surprise. Casablancans were stunned that seemingly ordinary
professionals were involved, and that large weapons caches were
found. At the same time, volatile events in the Middle East and
on-going dissatisfaction with Morocco's political and economic
situation make the existence of such a network unsurprising. Still,
many Casablancans feel unease setting in as the GOM faces an
apparently determined radical foe. End Summary.

--------------
SHOCK AT TYPE OF PEOPLE, WEAPONS
--------------


2. (SBU) In the wake of the Government of Morocco's (GOM)
announcement on February 20 that authorities dismantled an extensive
terrorist network led by Moroccan-Belgian Abdelkader Belliraj,
Casablancans expressed shock at two main elements of the case.
First, they were stunned by the type of people implicated. In
general, Casablancans found it hard to believe that those involved
were seemingly ordinary professionals such as teachers, pharmacists
and government employees. One Consulate staff member said that a
friend went to engineering school with one of the men arrested, whom
the friend described as quiet and anti-Islamist as a student. Like
others, he struggled to understand what might make such a person turn
to extremism, if that was indeed what happened.


3. (SBU) Though some theorize that poverty breeds terrorism, the
relatively high social status of most of the Belliraj network members
led several Casablancans to dismiss this argument once and for all.
According to one woman, terrorists used to be "people from poor areas
who didn't have enough money to eat. Now, it's a completely
different story." As another individual put it, "We have poor
people and we will always have poor people. That doesn't make them
want to kill themselves."


4. (SBU) Casablancans were also shocked at the type and quantity of
weapons the terrorist cell had amassed. Many mentioned photos they
had seen of a cache of Kalashnikovs, automatic pistols and other
arms. While rumors circulate that the dismantling of such an
extensive terrorist network is, at least in part, a government ploy
to discredit Morocco's Islamist elements, many feel that the details
revealed about the individuals involved and the weapons found provide
evidence that the story is true.

--------------
...BUT NOT SURPRISE
--------------


5. (C) While Casablancans expressed shock at the news of a large and
well-financed terrorist network in Morocco, many were not surprised.
According to one teacher, arrested members of the newly-banned
political party Al Badil Al Hadari (Civilized Alternative) may have
been trying to replicate parties in other parts of the Middle East
that maintain armed wings (for example, Hamas and Hezbollah). "It's
the regional and international context that creates this," he said.
Others echoed the view that the terrorist threat has become a
fixture, particularly over the past several years in Morocco.
Summing up the situation, a nanny said she was not surprised by
recent events since, "terrorism may never be finished."


6. (C) Although a terrorist network of the kind unveiled last week is
a new phenomenon in Morocco, several Casablancans noted that
widespread dissatisfaction with the current political and economic
situation also make it unsurprising. As one individual pointed out,
low participation in the September 2007 parliamentary elections has
already highlighted citizens' loss of confidence in the democratic
game. Even parliamentarian Fouad Ali El-Himma and his effort to form
the All Democrats Movement are viewed as "old wine in new bottles"
-another puppet to do the regime's bidding. Such discontent with
both the current state of affairs and the solutions on offer are seen
as contributing to extremism.

--------------
UNEASE SETS IN

--------------


7. (SBU) Along with the discovery of the Belliraj network comes a
feeling of unease among Casablancans. One woman said that while
watching TV a few nights ago, she heard a loud noise and exchanged
worried looks with her husband as they waited for sirens. None came,
but her pounding heart made her realize that she, like the state, was
on high alert. Others expressed anger and disbelief that their
compatriots willfully sought to destabilize the country, particularly
given the positive efforts to improve it.


8. (C) Comment: Recent meetings in Casablanca with various reformers
and key influencers make clear that a dedicated and forward-thinking
elite is working hard with the government and the King to steady
Morocco on the path to growth and democracy. The discovery of the
Belliraj terrorist network reveals that the GOM and reform-minded
citizens face not only challenges such as lack of capacity or
political will, but a graver foe that wants to oust this cadre of
people and is willing to fight Morocco's moderate leanings with
extremism. Even for Casablancans, who have experienced terrorism
first-hand in the last five years, the latest series of events make
this point in a very dramatic way. End Comment.

GREENE