Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RABAT36
2009-01-14 09:16:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Rabat
Cable title:
MOROCCO: EFFECTIVENESS OF UN EFFORTS TO COMBAT
how-toVZCZCXRO6381 PP RUEHGI DE RUEHRB #0036 0140916 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 140916Z JAN 09 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY RABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9535 INFO RUEHAB/AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN 0075 RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS 4950 RUEHGI/AMEMBASSY BANGUI 0001 RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 0579 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1072 RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM 0012 RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA 0033 RUEHNJ/AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA 0078 RUEHNK/AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT 3825 RUEHPU/AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE 0024 RUEHPS/AMEMBASSY PRISTINA 0035 RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA 4454 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0886
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
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
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