MEETING WITH CASABLANCA POLICE PREFECT

UNCLAS CASABLANCA 000021 RABAT FOR RSO, DS/IP/NEA, FOR STATE NEA/MAG AND DRL/SEAS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC EAGR KIRF MO PGOV SNAR SUBJECT: MEETING WITH CASABLANCA POLICE PREFECT ¶1. (U) On February 5th, 2009 Consul General and RSO Casablanca met with Police Prefect Mustapha Mazouni at Casablanca's Prefecture to discuss the security situation in Casablanca. Prefect Mazouni, who requested the meeting, began by outlining his view of the current security climate in Casablanca, stating that the Moroccan security services were unaware of any specific threats against the US Consulate General. Mazouni reassured us that the Consulate General's security was of the highest priority. He discussed the recent events in Gaza and how he did not see any ongoing, real hostility against Americans or Jews in Casablanca. He recalled a recent visit of several hundred religious American Jews to Casablanca during the height of the recent conflict in Gaza. He stated that these tourists were able to roam freely around Casablanca wearing their religious head wear (Kipa) without any adverse reaction from the Moroccan populace. He further stated that though there were demonstrations against the Israeli actions in Gaza, these demonstrations only provided an outlet for Moroccans to express their opinions but at no time was there any actual danger to American interests. He quipped that several of the protesters were seen at the US Consulate, the following day, requesting visas to the US. ¶2. (U) Mr. Mazouni also talked about the current police deployment around the Consulate and the future plans (within one year) to deploy an additional 20 plain clothes police officers to the Consulate. He explained that the deployment of these plain clothes officers, with their unhindered surveillance capabilities, would be more effective in combating both terrorists and criminals, who could potentially target the Consulate and its employees. RSO conveyed Post's concerns that the police currently assigned to the Consulate had become somewhat complacent and not fully attentive to their assignments. Mr. Mazouni acknowledged that his policy of permanently assigned officers at the Consulate had its positives and negatives but that he would revise the policy so that police officers are rotated monthly amongst the numerous Consulates in Casablanca in order to break the monotony that sometimes causes complacency and nonchalance. ¶3. (U) On the issue of crime, Mr. Mazouni noted a slight decrease in criminal acts but did also note the increase in the trafficking (by sub-Saharan Africans) and consumption of drugs, mainly cocaine. He explained that some Foreign and Moroccan administered local high schools (i.e. Lycee Lyautey) were experiencing a surge in cocaine use, which had not been seen earlier. He added that police assets were being deployed at these schools to combat the phenomenon. He clarified that police had not detected this problem at any of the U.S. Mission affiliated schools in Casablanca. ¶4. (U) Mazouni also noted that there has been an increase in the number of migrants returning to the countryside from Casablanca because of abundant rainfall and hence improved agricultural opportunities. At the request of our Overseas Security Advisory Council members, the CG extended an invitation to Mr. Mazouni for the next OSAC meeting in March. In a prior meeting, OSAC members had expressed their desire to hear a Moroccan security official's assessment of Morocco's security situation and to foster a deeper relationship with Moroccan law enforcement. Mr. Mazouni welcomed the invitation and advised us that either he or a representative from his office would attend. ¶5. (U) The meeting concluded with the CG and RSO thanking Mr. Mazouni for his office's continued support of and commitment to the Consulate General's security. MILLARD