Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RABAT212
2009-03-17 18:46:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rabat
Cable title:
CHARGE AND MFA SECRETARY GENERAL DISCUSS FORUM FOR
how-toVZCZCXRO2029 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV RUEHTRO DE RUEHRB #0212/01 0761846 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 171846Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY RABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9800 INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE RUCNMGH/MAGHREB COLLECTIVE RUEHBP/AMEMBASSY BAMAKO 0125 RUEHDK/AMEMBASSY DAKAR 0488
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RABAT 000212
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA. NEA/PI, NEA/MAG, INL/AAE AND DRL/NESCA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/17/2019
TAGS: PREL PHUM SNAR PTER PBTS KMPI AG IR WI MO US
SUBJECT: CHARGE AND MFA SECRETARY GENERAL DISCUSS FORUM FOR
THE FUTURE, HUMAN RIGHTS, WESTERN SAHARA, MIDDLE EAST AND
WEST AFRICA
REF: A. STATE 020919
B. BAGHDAD 0630
Classified By: CDA Robert P. Jackson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RABAT 000212
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA. NEA/PI, NEA/MAG, INL/AAE AND DRL/NESCA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/17/2019
TAGS: PREL PHUM SNAR PTER PBTS KMPI AG IR WI MO US
SUBJECT: CHARGE AND MFA SECRETARY GENERAL DISCUSS FORUM FOR
THE FUTURE, HUMAN RIGHTS, WESTERN SAHARA, MIDDLE EAST AND
WEST AFRICA
REF: A. STATE 020919
B. BAGHDAD 0630
Classified By: CDA Robert P. Jackson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary
General Amrani told Charge March 17 that Morocco believes it
is vital that the Secretary attend the Sixth Forum for the
Future meeting this fall. The Government of Morocco (GOM)
takes our concerns about a deteriorating human rights
environment in Western Sahara very seriously and is ready for
a fifth round of talks on Western Sahara -- with Algeria as a
full participant. Amrani hoped that the Iranians would see
Morocco,s decision to sever ties as a message to reduce its
threat to the Arab World. He expressed concern that
Israel,s commitment to peace with the Palestinians would
falter, despite Moroccan engagement last year. Amrani
indicated that Iraq is not a GOM priority. He reiterated
Morocco,s concern about the growth of narcotics and
terrorist networks throughout West Africa, especially in
Mauritania, Mali and Guinea-Bissau. End summary.
--------------
Sixth Forum for the Future
--------------
2. (SBU) Charge met with Ambassador Youssef Amrani, the
Secretary General (number two) of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and Cooperation (MFA)on March 17. Amrani informed
Charge that the dates for the Future Coordinating Meeting for
the Sixth Forum for the Future have shifted again )- from
March 27 to April 2. Charge noted that the USG feels
strongly that a parallel civil society forum is needed, and
Amrani indicated that he would make sure that would be on the
agenda for the coordinating meeting, which would include the
Governments of Morocco, Italy and the United States, as well
as No Peace without Justice and the Moroccan Organization for
Human Rights (OMDH). Amrani, who coordinated the First Forum
here with Secretary Powell, stressed how important Secretary
Clinton,s participation would be in the Forum for the Future.
--------------
U.S.-Morocco Relations
--------------
3. (C) Asked for an assessment of bilateral relations,
Charge characterized them as excellent and noted that
Ambassador Mekouar had just met Deputy Secretary Steinberg.
Charge added that there were meetings on the Free Trade
Agreement this week and the planting of the first fruit trees
under the Millennium Challenge Account Compact this month.
Charge also noted that a number of official visitors are due
in Morocco this month and next, including Virginia Governor
Timothy Kaine, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe
and the Middle East Christopher Wilson, Members of Congress,
and Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for International
Affairs Bruce Lemkin.
--------------
Western Sahara and Algeria
--------------
4. (C) Amrani noted that he hoped U.S. support for
Morocco,s autonomy plan would be unwavering, and Charge
replied that while the Administration had not finalized its
views, we still do not believe that an independent Western
Sahara could be a viable country. Charge took the
opportunity to press our concern that respect for human
rights in Western Sahara has deteriorated in the last two
months, and Amrani talk the point seriously enough that he
called in a note taker to write down that point as a
follow-up item.
5. (C) Amrani said that the GOM had been pleased with the
February visit of Ambassador Christopher Ross, the UN
Secretary General,s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara.
Morocco is prepared to participate in a fifth round of talks
in Manhasset, but wants Algeria to be a full party rather
than an observer. Amrani felt that a fifth round before the
end of April would not only be unrealistic but unproductive.
Asked if he had any news about Algerian Ambassador Belkeir,
Amrani said he did not.
--------------
Iran, Iraq, Israel, Syria and the Arab League
--------------
RABAT 00000212 002 OF 002
6. (C) Amrani asked Charge how the USG had reacted to the
GOM,s decision to break diplomatic relations with Iran, and
Charge said he found it ironic that Morocco was breaking
relations as we were reaching out to Iran and Syria. Charge
added that we remain very concerned about Iran,s nuclear
ambitions and its meddling in neighboring countries and hope
that we can work with Morocco and other partners to make Iran
a more constructive international player. Amrani opined that
Morocco,s decision to sever relations may give the Iranians
pause and cause them to rethink their relations with the Arab
world.
7. (C) Charge asked if Morocco would reinforce its ties with
Iraq, and Amrani, speaking candidly, said Iraq is simply not
a priority for Morocco. However, Iraq would be invited to
the Forum for the Future. (Note: Morocco is also reviewing
forgiving Iraqi debt. End note.)
8. (C) Amrani expressed disappointment with the Israeli
election results. Noting that senior Israeli officials had
visited Morocco three times in 2008, Amrani said he saw
little current will in Israel to achieve a lasting peace with
the Palestinians.
--------------
Mauritania, Mali and Guinea-Bissau
--------------
9. (C) Finally, Charge noted that the Mauritanian opposition
had recently spent a week in Rabat and that Libyan leader
Muammar Qadhafi had just visited Nouakchott. Jumping in,
Amrani said Qadhafi changes his mind from one day to the
next. Amrani averred that fair and transparent elections on
June 6 are not plausible. However, he asserted that Morocco
and the United States need to focus not only on democracy in
Mauritania but also on narcotics trafficking and terrorism.
He said we need to be very sensitive to the growth of
narcotics and terrorist networks throughout West Africa,
especially in Mauritania, Mali and Guinea-Bissau. Amrani
concluded the meeting by warning that the kind of instability
we have seen in Guinea-Bissau could spread.
--------------
Comment
--------------
10. (C) As always, Amrani was candid. The GOM clearly wants
the Secretary at the Forum for the Future, seeing her
presence as a key signal of support. He took our concern
about human rights very seriously. The GOM remains desirous
of working with us on the full range of regional issues but
seems increasingly concerned about the Sahel and the growth
in regional narcotics trafficking. End comment.
*****************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
*****************************************
Jackson
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA. NEA/PI, NEA/MAG, INL/AAE AND DRL/NESCA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/17/2019
TAGS: PREL PHUM SNAR PTER PBTS KMPI AG IR WI MO US
SUBJECT: CHARGE AND MFA SECRETARY GENERAL DISCUSS FORUM FOR
THE FUTURE, HUMAN RIGHTS, WESTERN SAHARA, MIDDLE EAST AND
WEST AFRICA
REF: A. STATE 020919
B. BAGHDAD 0630
Classified By: CDA Robert P. Jackson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary
General Amrani told Charge March 17 that Morocco believes it
is vital that the Secretary attend the Sixth Forum for the
Future meeting this fall. The Government of Morocco (GOM)
takes our concerns about a deteriorating human rights
environment in Western Sahara very seriously and is ready for
a fifth round of talks on Western Sahara -- with Algeria as a
full participant. Amrani hoped that the Iranians would see
Morocco,s decision to sever ties as a message to reduce its
threat to the Arab World. He expressed concern that
Israel,s commitment to peace with the Palestinians would
falter, despite Moroccan engagement last year. Amrani
indicated that Iraq is not a GOM priority. He reiterated
Morocco,s concern about the growth of narcotics and
terrorist networks throughout West Africa, especially in
Mauritania, Mali and Guinea-Bissau. End summary.
--------------
Sixth Forum for the Future
--------------
2. (SBU) Charge met with Ambassador Youssef Amrani, the
Secretary General (number two) of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and Cooperation (MFA)on March 17. Amrani informed
Charge that the dates for the Future Coordinating Meeting for
the Sixth Forum for the Future have shifted again )- from
March 27 to April 2. Charge noted that the USG feels
strongly that a parallel civil society forum is needed, and
Amrani indicated that he would make sure that would be on the
agenda for the coordinating meeting, which would include the
Governments of Morocco, Italy and the United States, as well
as No Peace without Justice and the Moroccan Organization for
Human Rights (OMDH). Amrani, who coordinated the First Forum
here with Secretary Powell, stressed how important Secretary
Clinton,s participation would be in the Forum for the Future.
--------------
U.S.-Morocco Relations
--------------
3. (C) Asked for an assessment of bilateral relations,
Charge characterized them as excellent and noted that
Ambassador Mekouar had just met Deputy Secretary Steinberg.
Charge added that there were meetings on the Free Trade
Agreement this week and the planting of the first fruit trees
under the Millennium Challenge Account Compact this month.
Charge also noted that a number of official visitors are due
in Morocco this month and next, including Virginia Governor
Timothy Kaine, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe
and the Middle East Christopher Wilson, Members of Congress,
and Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for International
Affairs Bruce Lemkin.
--------------
Western Sahara and Algeria
--------------
4. (C) Amrani noted that he hoped U.S. support for
Morocco,s autonomy plan would be unwavering, and Charge
replied that while the Administration had not finalized its
views, we still do not believe that an independent Western
Sahara could be a viable country. Charge took the
opportunity to press our concern that respect for human
rights in Western Sahara has deteriorated in the last two
months, and Amrani talk the point seriously enough that he
called in a note taker to write down that point as a
follow-up item.
5. (C) Amrani said that the GOM had been pleased with the
February visit of Ambassador Christopher Ross, the UN
Secretary General,s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara.
Morocco is prepared to participate in a fifth round of talks
in Manhasset, but wants Algeria to be a full party rather
than an observer. Amrani felt that a fifth round before the
end of April would not only be unrealistic but unproductive.
Asked if he had any news about Algerian Ambassador Belkeir,
Amrani said he did not.
--------------
Iran, Iraq, Israel, Syria and the Arab League
--------------
RABAT 00000212 002 OF 002
6. (C) Amrani asked Charge how the USG had reacted to the
GOM,s decision to break diplomatic relations with Iran, and
Charge said he found it ironic that Morocco was breaking
relations as we were reaching out to Iran and Syria. Charge
added that we remain very concerned about Iran,s nuclear
ambitions and its meddling in neighboring countries and hope
that we can work with Morocco and other partners to make Iran
a more constructive international player. Amrani opined that
Morocco,s decision to sever relations may give the Iranians
pause and cause them to rethink their relations with the Arab
world.
7. (C) Charge asked if Morocco would reinforce its ties with
Iraq, and Amrani, speaking candidly, said Iraq is simply not
a priority for Morocco. However, Iraq would be invited to
the Forum for the Future. (Note: Morocco is also reviewing
forgiving Iraqi debt. End note.)
8. (C) Amrani expressed disappointment with the Israeli
election results. Noting that senior Israeli officials had
visited Morocco three times in 2008, Amrani said he saw
little current will in Israel to achieve a lasting peace with
the Palestinians.
--------------
Mauritania, Mali and Guinea-Bissau
--------------
9. (C) Finally, Charge noted that the Mauritanian opposition
had recently spent a week in Rabat and that Libyan leader
Muammar Qadhafi had just visited Nouakchott. Jumping in,
Amrani said Qadhafi changes his mind from one day to the
next. Amrani averred that fair and transparent elections on
June 6 are not plausible. However, he asserted that Morocco
and the United States need to focus not only on democracy in
Mauritania but also on narcotics trafficking and terrorism.
He said we need to be very sensitive to the growth of
narcotics and terrorist networks throughout West Africa,
especially in Mauritania, Mali and Guinea-Bissau. Amrani
concluded the meeting by warning that the kind of instability
we have seen in Guinea-Bissau could spread.
--------------
Comment
--------------
10. (C) As always, Amrani was candid. The GOM clearly wants
the Secretary at the Forum for the Future, seeing her
presence as a key signal of support. He took our concern
about human rights very seriously. The GOM remains desirous
of working with us on the full range of regional issues but
seems increasingly concerned about the Sahel and the growth
in regional narcotics trafficking. End comment.
*****************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
*****************************************
Jackson