MOROCCO SIGNS BILATERAL SEISMIC AGREEMENT

UNCLAS RABAT 000046

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/MAG, ISN AND L/T
JOINT STAFF PLS PASS AFTAC/PATRICK AFB-BRUCE W BARKER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR PARM PREL TPHY KTBT KSCI KTIA MO
SUBJECT: MOROCCO SIGNS BILATERAL SEISMIC AGREEMENT

REF: A. RABAT 0004

B. 08 RABAT 1177

C. 08 RABAT 1125

D. 08 STATE 126489

E. 07 STATE 120858


1. (SBU) Summary: As one of his final official acts,
Ambassador Riley signed on January 12, "The Bilateral
Agreement Between The Government of the United States of
America and the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco
Regarding the Development and Operation of a Seismic
Monitoring Station in the Kingdom of Morocco." The agreement
paves the way for the construction phase of a seismic
monitoring station in the Midelt region of Morocco's Middle
Atlas Mountains to be completed in 2010. This caps several
years of engagement with the GOM to seek agreement to a
monitoring station that would supplement the already existing
NPT monitoring station in Midelt and Morocco's own extensive
existing seismic monitoring network. National Center for
Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST) Director Said
Belcadi signed for the GOM and talked about how this would be
another opportunity to expand scientific contacts. End
summary.

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Ambassador Riley's Final Signing Ceremony
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2. (SBU) Ambassador Thomas Riley and National Center for
Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST) Director Said
Belcadi signed on behalf of their governments on January 12
"The Bilateral Agreement Between the Government of the United
States of America and the Government of the Kingdom of
Morocco Regarding the Development and Operation of a Seismic
Monitoring Station in the Kingdom of Morocco."
Representatives from the Moroccan Ministries of Economy and
Finance, National Education, Foreign Affairs and Cooperation,
and Interior; the Forestry Administration; Royal Air Force;
and Royal Gendarmerie were present for the event at CNRST's
brand new modernistic headquarters in Rabat. GOM officials
requested that no press be present during the signing
ceremony to avoid questions on the non-proliferation related
aspects of the program. This agreement is the culmination of
the efforts of many individuals (both Moroccan and American)
who have worked tirelessly on this project since its
beginning in 2003.


3. (SBU) During the signing ceremony Belcadi expressed his
desire to see the spirit of U.S./Morocco cooperation in the
domain of seismology spread to other areas of scientific
research between CNRST and American universities and research
centers. CNRST staff also briefed on Morocco's extensive
system of seismic monitoring stations, including one financed
under the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

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Coming to Agreement
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4. (SBU) Under the terms of the agreement, the USG through
the United States Air Force Technical Application Center
(AFTAC) would provide initial surveys, technical expertise,
equipment, and maintenance for the seismic station. The GOM
would provide the land and USG access to the data collected
by the station. A site 25 kilometers north of Midelt was
chosen. After extensive initial surveys and agreement in
principle, the project faced a serious challenge in 2007 when
it was necessary to secure the 1,500 hectares of land
required to construct the seismic station. This land is
co-owned by the Ministry of Interior and the High Commission
of Water, Forests and the Fight against Desertification.
What at first appeared to be a simple administrative solution
evolved into a sensitive issue as the land under the
direction of the MOI was actually already leased to various
local tribes over centuries of time. Since 2007, GOM
officials were in negotiations with all involved parties to
find an amiable solution to lease the required land. Those
issues were resolved in December 2008, following a
political-level demarche at the MFA (Ref D). The MFA then
directed the signing of the agreement to finally take place.

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Next Steps
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5. (SBU) Now that the bilateral seismic agreement is signed,
AFTAC can proceed with the procurement of equipment and the
construction of a seismic station in the Midelt region of
Morocco's Middle Atlas Mountains, to be completed in 2010.
Embassy will forward copies of the agreement back to NEA/MAG
for onward transmittal to ISN, L/T and AFTAC. Embassy wishes
to thank these offices and all others who worked on this
project for helping get it to signature. We look forward to
facilitating implementation.


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Riley