FASSI FIHRI CONVOKES PERM 5 PLUS SPAIN TO COMPLAIN

C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000878

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA, NEA/MAG AND IO/UNP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/16/2018
TAGS: PREL PBTS UN AG WI MO
SUBJECT: FASSI FIHRI CONVOKES PERM 5 PLUS SPAIN TO COMPLAIN
ABOUT VAN WALSUM'S OUSTER AND PRESS FOR HARSTON'S RECALL

REF: RABAT 0832 (NOTAL)

Classified By: Ambassador Thomas T. Riley for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) On September 16, Moroccan Foreign Minister Taieb
Fassi Fihri convoked the Permanent 5 Ambassadors and Charges,
plus the Spanish Ambassador, to bemoan the way in which Peter
Van Walsum, the UNSYG's former Personal Envoy for the Western
Sahara, was treated by the UN and to press for MINURSO Head
of Mission Julian Harstons recall. The Minister focused on
the GOM view that whoever replaces Van Walsum should build on
the last UN Security Council Resolution on Western Sahara and
the progress made by the former Personal Envoy. Distributing
copies of correspondence between Van Walsum and Ban Ki-moon,
King Mohammed VI and Ban, and Fassi Fihri and Ban (which have
been e-mailed to NEA/MAG),the Foreign Minister explained
Morocco's belief that Algerian pressure had led to Van
Walsum's forced resignation. Fassi Fihri spent most of the
90-minute meeting complaining about the process and the lack
of consultation. He lamented learning about Van Walsum's
resignation from the Algerian press on August 21.


2. (C) Fassi Fihri's September 1 letter to Ban sums up the
discussion, noting three key points:

-- "the abrupt interruption of the efforts of Mr. Van Walsum
has set an unwelcome precedent;"
-- "Morocco's commitment to the pursuit of its engagement in
this (Manhasset) process would be contingent on the
preservation of the progress achieved under Mr. Van Walsum;"
and
-- "Mr. Julian Harston no longer enjoys the confidence and
support extended to him by the Government of His Majesty the
King ( (since) the actions of Mr. Harston have exposed
increasing insensitiveness (sic) to the very basic principles
of diplomatic courtesy and impartiality."


3. (C) In a September 11 letter from Ban to Fassi Fihri, the
UNSYG assured the Minister that he intended to revitalize
efforts to find a solution and to consult widely to prepare
for a fifth round of talks in Manhasset.


4. (C) Comment: This briefing for the Perm 5 plus Spain
confirmed what Fassi Fihri's Chief of Staff had told us
almost two weeks ago (Reftel). It also made public the GOM's
lack of confidence in Harston. We understand that the GOM
has conveyed this to Harston. We note that the Minister made
no mention of Christopher Ross nomination, which has been
reported in local and Spanish media, citing GOM sources. End
comment.


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Riley