Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08RABAT16
2008-01-08 11:51:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rabat
Cable title:
MOROCCO BACKS EFFORTS TO PRESS SYRIA ON LEBANON
how-toVZCZCXRO6792 OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV DE RUEHRB #0016 0081151 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 081151Z JAN 08 FM AMEMBASSY RABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7980 INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 3482 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 4883 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV PRIORITY 3518 RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA 3802
C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000016
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/FO AND NEA/MAG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/07/2017
TAGS: PREL MO LE
SUBJECT: MOROCCO BACKS EFFORTS TO PRESS SYRIA ON LEBANON
Classified by DCM Robert P. Jackson for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000016
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/FO AND NEA/MAG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/07/2017
TAGS: PREL MO LE
SUBJECT: MOROCCO BACKS EFFORTS TO PRESS SYRIA ON LEBANON
Classified by DCM Robert P. Jackson for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).
1. (C) Summary: On January 7, the MFA's Co-Political
Director passed us a message that Morocco was supporting
efforts to break the political deadlock in Lebanon and had
urged the Saudis to turn up the heat on the Asad regime. MFA
Director-General Mohammed Azeroual said Morocco believed
"enough is enough" on Syrian interference in Lebanon, and
hoped the path would soon be cleared for Michel Sleiman to
take up the Presidency. Azeroual emphasized that Morocco
would pursue quietly and behind the scenes this tougher
approach to Lebanon and Syria. He also conveyed Morocco's
deep appreciation for the recent comments on the Kingdom by
President Bush and hoped he could soon visit. End summary.
2. (C) MFA Director-General for Multilateral Relations
Mohammed Azeroual summoned Polcouns on January 7 to convey a
message from the Foreign Minister concerning Lebanon,
following up on A/S Welch's contact with the Minister over
the weekend of January 5. Azeroual opened by noting the
GOM's deep appreciation for President Bush's positive
comments about Morocco during a January 4 roundtable with
foreign media. Recognizing the constraints preventing a
visit here now, Azeroual hoped the President could come to
Morocco soon.
3. (C) On Lebanon, Azeroual said Morocco was lining up with
Saudi Arabia and was urging the Saudis to press Syria to
break the Lebanese political deadlock. The Saudis were the
only ones who could turn Bashar around, Azaroual believed.
"We have excellent contacts with PM Seniora and the GOL," he
emphasized, "and we have no contacts with Hizballah."
"We hope to see, by the end of January at the latest, this
crisis settled and Michel Sleiman in the Presidency,"
Azeroual stated.
4. (C) Underscoring Morocco's attachment to Lebanon, Azeroual
said Arab states have grown weary of heavy handed Syrian
interference in Lebanon, though he assessed Egypt's position
as less firm. "Enough is enough.... You will soon see Arab
states taking a tougher line on Lebanon," Azeroual asserted.
Morocco has quietly discussed with other states the GOM
belief that if the Lebanese crisis is not resoved, the March
Arab League Summit should take place somewhere other than
Damascus, he related. Azeroual emphasized that Morocco
would, as is customary, pursue quietly and behind the scenes
its tough policy on Lebanon/Syria.
5. (C) Azeroual confirmed that Jordanian King Abdullah would
be visiting this month and would see his counterpart, King
Mohammed VI. The MFA has not yet focused on any possible
joint statement, he said.
6. (C) Comment: Morocco's constructive position on
Lebanon-Syria is sincere and reflects both its desire to
support U.S. objectives and its own calculation of its
interests. If we have specific ideas for actions Morocco
could take to support a positive outcome in Lebanon or the
Middle East peace process, now would be a good time to raise
them. End comment.
*****************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
*****************************************
Riley
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/FO AND NEA/MAG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/07/2017
TAGS: PREL MO LE
SUBJECT: MOROCCO BACKS EFFORTS TO PRESS SYRIA ON LEBANON
Classified by DCM Robert P. Jackson for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).
1. (C) Summary: On January 7, the MFA's Co-Political
Director passed us a message that Morocco was supporting
efforts to break the political deadlock in Lebanon and had
urged the Saudis to turn up the heat on the Asad regime. MFA
Director-General Mohammed Azeroual said Morocco believed
"enough is enough" on Syrian interference in Lebanon, and
hoped the path would soon be cleared for Michel Sleiman to
take up the Presidency. Azeroual emphasized that Morocco
would pursue quietly and behind the scenes this tougher
approach to Lebanon and Syria. He also conveyed Morocco's
deep appreciation for the recent comments on the Kingdom by
President Bush and hoped he could soon visit. End summary.
2. (C) MFA Director-General for Multilateral Relations
Mohammed Azeroual summoned Polcouns on January 7 to convey a
message from the Foreign Minister concerning Lebanon,
following up on A/S Welch's contact with the Minister over
the weekend of January 5. Azeroual opened by noting the
GOM's deep appreciation for President Bush's positive
comments about Morocco during a January 4 roundtable with
foreign media. Recognizing the constraints preventing a
visit here now, Azeroual hoped the President could come to
Morocco soon.
3. (C) On Lebanon, Azeroual said Morocco was lining up with
Saudi Arabia and was urging the Saudis to press Syria to
break the Lebanese political deadlock. The Saudis were the
only ones who could turn Bashar around, Azaroual believed.
"We have excellent contacts with PM Seniora and the GOL," he
emphasized, "and we have no contacts with Hizballah."
"We hope to see, by the end of January at the latest, this
crisis settled and Michel Sleiman in the Presidency,"
Azeroual stated.
4. (C) Underscoring Morocco's attachment to Lebanon, Azeroual
said Arab states have grown weary of heavy handed Syrian
interference in Lebanon, though he assessed Egypt's position
as less firm. "Enough is enough.... You will soon see Arab
states taking a tougher line on Lebanon," Azeroual asserted.
Morocco has quietly discussed with other states the GOM
belief that if the Lebanese crisis is not resoved, the March
Arab League Summit should take place somewhere other than
Damascus, he related. Azeroual emphasized that Morocco
would, as is customary, pursue quietly and behind the scenes
its tough policy on Lebanon/Syria.
5. (C) Azeroual confirmed that Jordanian King Abdullah would
be visiting this month and would see his counterpart, King
Mohammed VI. The MFA has not yet focused on any possible
joint statement, he said.
6. (C) Comment: Morocco's constructive position on
Lebanon-Syria is sincere and reflects both its desire to
support U.S. objectives and its own calculation of its
interests. If we have specific ideas for actions Morocco
could take to support a positive outcome in Lebanon or the
Middle East peace process, now would be a good time to raise
them. End comment.
*****************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
*****************************************
Riley