MOROCCO OUTLINES GLOBAL INITIATIVE CONFERENCE IN

UNCLAS RABAT 000215 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/MAG DESK OFFICER RANDALL KAAILAU AND ISN/WMDT MEGGEN WATT AND DANIELA HELFET E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PREL PTER MNUC KGIC MO SUBJECT: MOROCCO OUTLINES GLOBAL INITIATIVE CONFERENCE IN RABAT REF: A. STATE 19747 ¶B. RABAT 00160 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The Moroccan MFA passed to Embassy Rabat a concept paper of its planned Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism conference in Rabat (June 3-5),which will focus on the topic of preventing illicit trafficking in nuclear/radioactive materials. The Moroccan MFA wants to know if the USG would make a presentation at this conference (if so, on what topic),clarification on the appropriate GICNT statement of principle, and who will be leading the U.S. delegation to the conference. ¶2. (SBU) On March 16, 2009, Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Security and Disarmament Chief Bouchrib Eloumi passed to A/Polcouns a concept paper for Morocco's hosting of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) conference in Rabat (June 3-5) entitled "Seminar on Preventing Illicit Trafficking in Nuclear and Radioactive Materials." The main points of this document are summarized in paragraph 2 below. In a follow-up conversation with MFA United Nations Office Chief Azzedine Farhane on March 17, 2009, Farhane asked Poloff if the USG could make a presentation at this seminar. He also asked who would be leading the U.S. delegation to the seminar, adding that the GOM would like to see someone of equivalent rank to MFA Secretary General Yousef Amrani, number two in the MFA--Morocco's chairman for the seminar. ¶3. (SBU) Summary of Moroccan GICNT Seminar Concept Paper: The purpose of the seminar will be to review trends/experiences in nuclear and radiological illicit trafficking, discuss techniques that can be used to prevent it, and to share best practices on how to respond to nuclear events. The themes of the seminar include: assessing the phenomenon of illicit trafficking of radioactive materials; international instruments and initiatives to prevent it; establishing the capabilities to detect it; national experiences; and response to the detection. Approximately 120 experts across a range of disciplines (e.g., security, customs, intelligence, regulatory, and technical professionals) from GICNT partner countries are expected to participate. In addition to Moroccan presentations, other GICNT participants will be invited to make presentations. For example, the International Atomic Energy Agency will be invited to make a presentation on the Illicit Trafficking Data Base and on its activities related to illicit trafficking and nuclear terrorism. ¶4. (SBU) Eloumni pointed out to A/Polcouns that Morocco feels that the conference is more closely related to GICNT Statement of Principle Number 7 which reads, "improve capabilities of participants for response, mitigation, and investigation, in cases of terrorist attacks involving the use of nuclear and other radioactive materials and substances, including the development of technical means to identify nuclear and other radioactive materials and substances that are, or may be involved in the incident". Department information from reftel A suggested that the Moroccan conference was more closely related to GICNT Statement of Principle Number 3 and Eloumni requests clarification. ¶5. (SBU) Comment: Post would appreciate Department guidance on any possible presentation the USG can provide at the Rabat GICNT conference, clarification on the appropriate GICNT statement of principle, and any information on the lead and makeup of the U.S. delegation for passage to the Moroccan MFA. ***************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ***************************************** Jackson