MOROCCAN FM CRITICIZED FOR HAIDAR CASE

C O N F I D E N T I A L CASABLANCA 000225 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/MAG, PRM/AFR, IO/UNP, H AND DRL E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/08/2019 TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREF PREL MO SUBJECT: MOROCCAN FM CRITICIZED FOR HAIDAR CASE REF: RABAT 0935 RABAT 0915 Classified By: Consul General Elisabeth Millard for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) At a small December 7 dinner XXXXXXXXXXXXX spontaneously raised the case of Aminatou Haidar (reftels). He harshly criticized FM Fassi Fihri for not having provided King Mohammed VI with better counsel regarding the likely consequences and world reaction. "At a number of levels, our decision was illogical, and Fassi Fihri should have made this clear to the king." Now, everyone was adopting a typical Moroccan attitude, claiming that as the decision regarding Haidar had been taken at the very top, it could not be questioned or criticized, XXXXXXXXXXXXX added. He nevertheless predicted that a way out would be identified soon, given Haidar,s hunger strike. Comment -------------- ¶2. (C) XXXXXXXXXXXXX is closely connected to the Palace and has served in a series of important positions in Morocco, XXXXXXXXXXXXX His comments demonstrate that despite the apparent unanimity among the Moroccan government, political parties and the press about the correctness of Morocco,s actions on Haidar, other influential views do exist. End Comment. MILLARD