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.


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Riley