MOROCCO SUPPORTIVE OF USG PRIORITIES FOR UPCOMING

UNCLAS RABAT 000190 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC SNAR AU UN SUBJECT: MOROCCO SUPPORTIVE OF USG PRIORITIES FOR UPCOMING UN COMMISSION ON NARCOTIC DRUGS MEETING REF: STATE 19274 ¶1. On February 29th, POLOFF provided Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Chief of Principal UN Offices Redouane Houssaini with small briefing, accompanied by a diplomatic note, on US priorities at the upcoming UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs being held March 10-14. ¶2. Mr. Houssaini thanked Poloff for his message, including the draft texts of the two resolutions (reftel) that the USG intends to table at the meeting, adding that the Government of Morocco (GOM) was, in principle, supportive of the two resolutions. He said that MFA Chief of Service for Global Issues Ms. Talmi Nodya, present during the demarche, would attend the UN Commission meeting with the rest of the GOM delegation. ¶3. Regarding the first resolution pertaining to medical screening, Mr. Houssaini said that the GOM would likely have several amendments to the resolution. He highlighted the GOM's preliminary views that the UNODC should be recognized as the principle office associated with this resolution and the GOM's desire to add language to the resolution to address the need for financial support for its successful implementation. ¶4. On the second resolution pertaining to highlighting the dangers of cannabis use by adolescents, he said that his Ministry would favorably study it and forward it to their Ambassador in Vienna. ***************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ***************************************** Riley