RABAT'S COUNTERTERRORISM ACTION GROUP MEETS IN

UNCLAS RABAT 001017 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR S/CT, DS AND NEA/MAG E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER EFIN MO SUBJECT: RABAT'S COUNTERTERRORISM ACTION GROUP MEETS IN PREPARATION FOR KYOTO MEETING ¶1. (SBU) On October 16, the Japanese DCM convened the only G-8 Counterterrorism Action Group (CTAG) meeting during Japan's presidency. Representatives of Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States participated, as did representatives of the European Union, Spain and Switzerland. France was conspicuous by its unexplained absence. The Japanese DCM explained that the meeting was scheduled to lay the groundwork for a November 6 CTAG meeting in Kyoto. ¶2. (SBU) During the discussion of each country's counterterrorism efforts in Morocco, the DCM described U.S. Anti-Terrorism Assistance (ATA),EXBS, Coast Guard, Customs, border control, bio-security, dual-use, export control and anti-money laundering programs in Morocco and for Moroccans. The German Police Attache described police training and training on Internet crimes; the Canadian DCM talked about anti-money laundering and chem.-bio training. The EU DCM also described anti-money laundering training and upcoming training for magistrates on UN anti-terrorism conventions. The Spanish Police Attache discussed police and border control training. The British representative described the UK's focus on aviation and maritime security, including training to counter MANPADS. He also discussed explosive detection training. The representatives of Italy, Japan, Russia, and Switzerland noted that they do not currently have any counterterrorism cooperation with Morocco. The British suggested that we create a password-protected website to share information on training and equipment donations. ¶3. (SBU) Participants agreed that the Moroccan security forces have sufficient counterterrorism capacity in general. However, we also agreed that the Al Qaeda in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb is becoming more organized, and the danger of terrorism in Morocco remains high, as evidenced by the arrest of almost 100 suspected terrorists thus far in 2008. ***************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ***************************************** Jackson