Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08RABAT1198
2008-12-24 17:17:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Rabat
Cable title:
MOROCCO: REP. HASTINGS AGREES WITH MFA SECRETARY
how-toVZCZCXRO4826 PP RUEHAST RUEHFL RUEHLA RUEHMRE RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSR DE RUEHRB #1198/01 3591717 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 241717Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY RABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9495 INFO RUCNOSC/ORG FOR SECURITY CO OP IN EUR COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 RABAT 001198
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR NEA MAG, EUR/RPM AND H
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL OREP ETRD OSCE MO
SUBJECT: MOROCCO: REP. HASTINGS AGREES WITH MFA SECRETARY
GENERAL ON VALUE OF GOM-OSCE TIES
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 RABAT 001198
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR NEA MAG, EUR/RPM AND H
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL OREP ETRD OSCE MO
SUBJECT: MOROCCO: REP. HASTINGS AGREES WITH MFA SECRETARY
GENERAL ON VALUE OF GOM-OSCE TIES
1. (SBU) Summary: Chairman of the Commission on Security
and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) Representative Alcee
Hastings encouraged Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(MFA) Secretary General Youssef Amrani to enhance Moroccan
participation in the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and its Parliamentary Assembly
as a Mediterranean Partner. In the December 1 meeting,
Amrani underlined the GOM's commitment to active partnership
with the OSCE and praised Rep. Hastings' intent to invite
Moroccan parliamentarians to the U.S. for a CSCE hearing.
They also discussed migration, port security, and
peacekeeping operations. Amrani confirmed GOM plans to
participate in Operation Active Endeavor. End Summary.
--------------
Morocco/USG/OSCE - Good Relationships
--------------
2. (SBU) Amrani emphasized the strong relationship that
Morocco has shared with the United States for centuries,
highlighting the risk it took with the U.S. in signing the
Free Trade Agreement (FTA),and pointed out that Morocco
agreed to host the next Forum of the Future meeting in 2009.
He noted Morocco has strongly supported the OSCE, including
by hosting the 2005 OSCE Mediterranean Partners Conference on
Migration (which included Israelis),participating in the
November 2007 OSCE Ministerial Council in Madrid, and
inviting the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to participate as
observers during the 2007 local elections. Morocco is
committed to democracy and transparency. The GOM also looked
to expand its relationship with Euro-Atlantic institutions.
Morocco also works with NATO in the Mediterranean Dialogue.
He highlighted planned Moroccan participation in Operation
Active Endeavor.
3. (SBU) Rep. Hastings, accompanied by Ambassador Riley,
expressed his appreciation for Morocco's faithful support of
the OSCE as a Mediterranean Partner and acknowledged its
dependable participation. He regretted, however, the
weaknesses of the current system that did not allow the
Mediterranean Partners adequate time to engage the OSCE on
issues of substance. Hastings said he planned to invite
Morocco to send two or three parliamentarians to the U.S. to
meet with other OSCE PA leadership as well as other Med
Partner parliamentarians. Amrani welcomed the invitation,
noting it 1) was similar to what Morocco already did with the
EU as a partner with advanced status 2) could be used as a
model for other countries in the region and possibly via the
Mediterranean Union Plan, and 3) could be used to strengthen
relations among countries in the region as a locus for
dialogue between parliamentarians. Rep. Hastings appreciated
Morocco's peacekeeping efforts, particularly its
participation in the Haiti mission, and urged this effort
continue.
--------------
Migration/Trade/Port Security
--------------
4. (SBU) Rep. Hastings highlighted the Handbook on
Establishing Effective Labor Migration Policies that was a
bi-product of the 2005 OSCE Migration Conference and asked
Amrani about migration issues. Amrani said Morocco was
willing to work with others to find a solution to the
challenges of illegal migration. He noted that the OSCE
Handbook was very helpful to Morocco in addressing the issue
of cyclical migration, as people transferred back and forth
between Morocco and Europe for work.
5. (SBU) Rep. Hastings praised the U.S.-Morocco FTA and its
results. He understood out that Morocco was developing
larger container port areas to support increased
transportation needs. He raised port security and encouraged
Morocco to send emissaries to the ports in Rotterdam and
Singapore to get security enhancement ideas. Amrani
reassured Rep. Hastings that Morocco already considered
security as it planned the new ports and pointed out that
Morocco was developing adequate security measures under its
NATO Dialogue.
6. (U) Congressman Hastings did not have an opportunity to
clear this cable before his departure.
*****************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
*****************************************
RABAT 00001198 002 OF 002
Riley
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR NEA MAG, EUR/RPM AND H
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL OREP ETRD OSCE MO
SUBJECT: MOROCCO: REP. HASTINGS AGREES WITH MFA SECRETARY
GENERAL ON VALUE OF GOM-OSCE TIES
1. (SBU) Summary: Chairman of the Commission on Security
and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) Representative Alcee
Hastings encouraged Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(MFA) Secretary General Youssef Amrani to enhance Moroccan
participation in the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and its Parliamentary Assembly
as a Mediterranean Partner. In the December 1 meeting,
Amrani underlined the GOM's commitment to active partnership
with the OSCE and praised Rep. Hastings' intent to invite
Moroccan parliamentarians to the U.S. for a CSCE hearing.
They also discussed migration, port security, and
peacekeeping operations. Amrani confirmed GOM plans to
participate in Operation Active Endeavor. End Summary.
--------------
Morocco/USG/OSCE - Good Relationships
--------------
2. (SBU) Amrani emphasized the strong relationship that
Morocco has shared with the United States for centuries,
highlighting the risk it took with the U.S. in signing the
Free Trade Agreement (FTA),and pointed out that Morocco
agreed to host the next Forum of the Future meeting in 2009.
He noted Morocco has strongly supported the OSCE, including
by hosting the 2005 OSCE Mediterranean Partners Conference on
Migration (which included Israelis),participating in the
November 2007 OSCE Ministerial Council in Madrid, and
inviting the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to participate as
observers during the 2007 local elections. Morocco is
committed to democracy and transparency. The GOM also looked
to expand its relationship with Euro-Atlantic institutions.
Morocco also works with NATO in the Mediterranean Dialogue.
He highlighted planned Moroccan participation in Operation
Active Endeavor.
3. (SBU) Rep. Hastings, accompanied by Ambassador Riley,
expressed his appreciation for Morocco's faithful support of
the OSCE as a Mediterranean Partner and acknowledged its
dependable participation. He regretted, however, the
weaknesses of the current system that did not allow the
Mediterranean Partners adequate time to engage the OSCE on
issues of substance. Hastings said he planned to invite
Morocco to send two or three parliamentarians to the U.S. to
meet with other OSCE PA leadership as well as other Med
Partner parliamentarians. Amrani welcomed the invitation,
noting it 1) was similar to what Morocco already did with the
EU as a partner with advanced status 2) could be used as a
model for other countries in the region and possibly via the
Mediterranean Union Plan, and 3) could be used to strengthen
relations among countries in the region as a locus for
dialogue between parliamentarians. Rep. Hastings appreciated
Morocco's peacekeeping efforts, particularly its
participation in the Haiti mission, and urged this effort
continue.
--------------
Migration/Trade/Port Security
--------------
4. (SBU) Rep. Hastings highlighted the Handbook on
Establishing Effective Labor Migration Policies that was a
bi-product of the 2005 OSCE Migration Conference and asked
Amrani about migration issues. Amrani said Morocco was
willing to work with others to find a solution to the
challenges of illegal migration. He noted that the OSCE
Handbook was very helpful to Morocco in addressing the issue
of cyclical migration, as people transferred back and forth
between Morocco and Europe for work.
5. (SBU) Rep. Hastings praised the U.S.-Morocco FTA and its
results. He understood out that Morocco was developing
larger container port areas to support increased
transportation needs. He raised port security and encouraged
Morocco to send emissaries to the ports in Rotterdam and
Singapore to get security enhancement ideas. Amrani
reassured Rep. Hastings that Morocco already considered
security as it planned the new ports and pointed out that
Morocco was developing adequate security measures under its
NATO Dialogue.
6. (U) Congressman Hastings did not have an opportunity to
clear this cable before his departure.
*****************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
*****************************************
RABAT 00001198 002 OF 002
Riley