MOROCCO: EFFECTIVENESS OF UN EFFORTS TO COMBAT

UNCLAS RABAT 000036 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR IO/PSC - DEBORAH ODELL AND NEA/MAG E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL KPKO CG IV WI MO SUBJECT: MOROCCO: EFFECTIVENESS OF UN EFFORTS TO COMBAT SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE IN UN PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS REF: A. 08 STATE 125595 ¶B. 07 RABAT 1238 ¶1. (U) This cable responds to Ref A request for information on UN efforts to combat trafficking in persons (TIP) and sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) involving UN peacekeeping mission personnel in the Western Sahara and Moroccan peacekeepers in Cote d'Ivoire. This message was cleared with CONGEN Casablanca and represents coordinated Mission views. ¶2. (SBU) According to the Government of Morocco (GOM),TIP and SEA are not a problem with the United Nations Mission on the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). Azzedine Farhane, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) UN Division Head, told PolOff on January 12 that MINURSO personnel have cooperated fully with the GOM in efforts to deal with illegal migrants and trafficked persons in the Western Sahara. Furthermore, the GOM is satisfied with MINURSO's efforts to control SEA and TIP in the region. ¶3. (SBU) MINURSO Conduct and Discipline Officer Claudio Santorum told PolOff on January 13 that there were no cases of SEA or TIP misconduct in 2008. As Conduct and Discipline Officer, Santorum briefs and trains all new arrivals on SEA, TIP and other comportment issues and conducts regular refresher training thoughout the year. ¶4. (SBU) MINURSO Civil Affairs Officer Claire Bamber reported that in 2007 there was one case of misconduct involving a Pakistani peacekeeper and a local civilian. The case was disclosed and thoroughly investigated. MINURSO ordered the Pakistani officer be sent home as a result of the investigation. The incident was fully reported to the UN Secretariat and the Security Council. ¶5. (U) In July 2007, Moroccan peacekeepers in Cote d'Ivoire were accused of sexual abuse involving underage girls. The GOM fully supported UN efforts to investigate the accusations. An inquiry team, consisting of UN investigators and Moroccan army officers, was unable to unearth any conclusive evidence of abuse. No formal charges were filed (Ref B). ¶6. (U) MINURSO Head of Mission and Special Representative of the Secretary General for the Western Sahara Julian Harston strongly endorses the UN's zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual exploitation and abuse. ¶7. (SBU) Mission did not hear of any other official reports in 2008 of SEA or TIP incidents involving MINURSO personnel or Moroccan peacekeepers in Cote d'Ivoire. Human rights NGOs in Laayoune do not believe there are SEA or TIP problems connected to MINURSO. ***************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ***************************************** Riley