WESTERN SAHARA: CORCAS MEMBER SAYS ORGANIZATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 001060 SIPDIS NEA FOR MAG E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/07/2018 TAGS: PBTS PGOV WI MO SUBJECT: WESTERN SAHARA: CORCAS MEMBER SAYS ORGANIZATION MORIBUND; EXPANDED GOVERNANCE TO COME IN SAHARA. Classified By: PolCouns Craig Karp. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 1.(C) Summary: A government-affiliated CORCAS member from Laayoune has indicated that the CORCAS is losing its stature in Morocco, and is moribund. Mohammed Talib, said the unpopular CORCAS Chairman, Kalihenna Ould er Rachid remains a problem. In the coming elections, El Himma's PAM would be trying to crack the Istiqlal party/Ould er Rachid family's dominance of the Sahara political scene. Talib said dialogue in the Sahara would be furthered by a follow-up mechanism to last week's human rights conference in Laayoune and that some pro-government figures in Sahara were advocating opening the political door to peaceful pro-independence activists. Talib is a familiar and relatively credible interlocutor, whose links to the GOM may be closer than meets the eye. End summary. ¶2. (C) During an embassy meeting, Talib, a member of the GOM's Royal Coordinating Advisory Council on Sahara (CORCAS), told POLCOUNS November 7 that CORCAS was in disarray. It hasn,t met in months, he said. The dictatorial Chairman, Kalihenna Ould er Rachid remained a major problem; there was a petition to the King from nearly half the council to remove him at the last meeting, and Talib thought this would get a majority at the formal annual meeting scheduled for December. Talib himself has emerged as one of the most vocal members of CORCAS and perhaps the most visible in the media, far more, recently, than Chairman Kalihenna. CORCAS was not mentioned in the King's Green March Day speech, only representatives of the Sahrawis, a formula the Monarch has used since at least the last Manhasset session. Since that time, Kalihenna has been almost invisible. Talib charged that Kalihenna has the support of only three members, has abused the administration of the Council, naming his son as executive director, and was involved in funding abuses, like paying luxury hotel bills for family members. ¶2. (C) Talib remains associated with the local arm of the Consultative Human Rights Council (CCDH). Talib said that the process began by last week's CCDH human rights conference in Laayoune is advancing by convening a "follow-up" committee. Human rights activists are to be invited, even those with pro-separatist leanings. They would be invited as individuals, not in their organizational capacity, which was an obstacle at the large meeting. There is growing sentiment, he said, that there should be more space given for political activity, even to pro-independence activists, although not to those who, "after night falls, encourage the youth to throws rock and Molotov cocktails," a possible reference to CODESA activist Ali Salem Tamek. ¶3. (C) Talib felt that the King's proposal in his November 6 speech, to begin implementing a measure of self government for Sahara (along with other regions) with or without an autonomy agreement, was good and achievable. This was important, as there was declining local optimism over current prospects for a settlement. The problem is that the Ould er Rachid family -- Kalihenna and his brother Hamdi, the acting mayor -- dominate local politics, through a political machine that combines patronage and pressure. Tribal factors are key, he said, but he noted that the tribes themselves are divided and often on both sides, particularly the dominant Rguibat. Talib, himself a Sahrawi only by marriage and distant ancestry, said he was a member of El Himma's Movement for All Democrats, and was considering running for local council on the affiliated Party of Authenticity and Modernity ticket in the 2009 communal elections. ¶4. (C) Comment: Talib's appearances in regime-affiliated media and visibility and closeness to officials, observed in Laayoune, would appear to indicate some government sponsorship. Nevertheless, like others among the growing handful of open-minded pro-government human rights activists, he may be among those who can play a role in building bridges to pro-independence elements. This dialogue can help build the on-the-ground confidence that may be key to a political settlement. We have been urging authorities to advance human rights in the territory, which would also expand political freedoms and confidence. End Comment. ***************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ***************************************** Riley