TSANGVIRAI IN MOROCCO

S E C R E T RABAT 001140 NOFORN STATE FOR AF/S, AF/RSA AND NEA/MAG E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/08/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV MO ZI SUBJECT: TSANGVIRAI IN MOROCCO Classified By: Polcouns Craig Karp for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) Morgan Tsangvirai was in Morocco at the end of November-early December. Tsangvirai received a prize for promotion of democracy on November 29 in Tangier at the first Med Days 2008 Conference. The Conference was organized by a NGO, Amadeus, which is run by the son of the Foreign Minister. ¶2. (S/NOFORN) On December 1, Tsangvirai was in Rabat where he and a delegation met with Foreign Minister Taieb Fassi Fihri. MFA Africa chief Bendahane (protect) told us the discussions were warm, with the Moroccan side expressing its support for Tsangvirai and the MDC. Tsangvirai later met with Moroccan External Service (DGED) Chief Yassine Mansouri. (Comment: Morocco had previously provided Tsangvirai clandestine financial support and likely added to that during this trip. Morocco would welcome the departure of Mugabe, who has opposed its claim to the Western Sahara. End Comment.) ***************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ***************************************** Riley