PRIME MINISTER TOUTS PROGRESS IN MCC SCORECARD

UNCLAS RABAT 001167 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR EEB/IFD/ODF AND NEA/MAG E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID ECON KMCA MO SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER TOUTS PROGRESS IN MCC SCORECARD AREAS REF: A. RABAT 1063 ¶B. STATE 111916 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: As previewed during the delivery of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) scorecard for Morocco for 2009 (Ref A),Secretary General to the Prime Minister Mohamed Hajoui provided to the Ambassador a copy of Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi's December 12 letter to Ambassador John Danilovich, MCC Chief Executive Officer, responding to the scorecard. The letter notes areas of development in which the Government of Morocco (GOM) believes the scorecard does not adequately credit progress, and highlights Morocco's efforts at reform and development. The MCC country office has sent the original letter to Ambassador Danilovich; Embassy will forward a copy of the letter by pouch to NEA/MAG. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) The Prime Minister's letter to Ambassador Danilovich welcomes the MCC's assistance with Morocco's development and calls attention to Morocco's progress in areas despite the corresponding "negatively affected" indicators. The Prime Minister advanced examples of Morocco's commitment to political inclusion and respect of human rights, including the recent adoption of laws on political parties and nationality (allowing women to transmit citizenship),as well as successful 2007 national and recently announced 2009 communal elections, in which women will have a reserved share of seats. The PM also noted the liberalization of the broadcast sector and prospective adoption of a new press code, as well as GOM initiatives meant to preserve Morocco's diverse cultural heritage as indications of political reform and openness. ¶3. (SBU) In the field of economic development, the Prime Minister pointed to Morocco's plans for modernizing industry, tourism, agriculture, artisanal production, and business, and indicated that Morocco's multiple free trade agreements and growth in foreign direct investment demonstrate the Kingdom's progress. He also highlighted the GOM's budget surplus for 2007, healthy tax collections, and ongoing projects to reduce and reform corporate, income, and value-added taxes. In the areas with the lowest rankings, Health Expenditures and Girls' Education, the Prime Minister noted progress in public vaccination campaigns and providing rural health care, and stressed that current GOM efforts in educational reform are targeted at rural girls. ¶4. (U) The Prime Minister's letter included a 32-page table of observations related to the scorecard indicators prepared by the Ministry of Economy and Finances, listing Morocco's efforts in each area and its future plans. (Note: Although the Prime Minister's letter and the Ref A conversation refer to the FY2009 scorecard, the table of observations lists FY2008 and FY2007 rankings. End Note.) Embassy will forward the letter and attachment (in French) to the desk by pouch. ***************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ***************************************** Riley