Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CASABLANCA21
2009-02-06 17:00:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Casablanca
Cable title:  

MEETING WITH CASABLANCA POLICE PREFECT

Tags:  ASEC EAGR KIRF MO PGOV SNAR 
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R 061700Z FEB 09
FM AMCONSUL CASABLANCA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8283
INFO AMEMBASSY RABAT 
AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV
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

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