CODEL BURR HEARS ABOUT COUNTERTERRORISM, DEMOCRACY

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 RABAT 000479 NOFORN SIPDIS STATE FOR H, S/CT, NEA/RA AND NEA/MAG E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/08/2029 TAGS: OREP PTER PINS PHUM AG IR MR MO WI SUBJECT: CODEL BURR HEARS ABOUT COUNTERTERRORISM, DEMOCRACY PROMOTION, IRAN AND WESTERN SAHARA RABAT 00000479 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: CDA Robert P. Jackson for reasons 1.4 (b, c and d). ¶1. (S/NF) Summary: On May 26, CODEL Burr discussed the threat from violent Islamic extremists with Morocco,s external intelligence chief Mohamed Yassine Mansouri, the Director General of Studies and Documentation (DGED). The discussion focused on Al Qaeda,s declining influence in Iraq; growing danger in Yemen, Somalia, Lebanon, Afghanistan and Pakistan; Al Qaeda in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb,s (AQIM,s) current posture; and Iran. Mansouri opined that Mauritania,s stability was more important than democracy, and he urged the USG to be more flexible. Mansouri again called for the return of the two Moroccans who remain at Guantanamo. The CODEL next called on Mustapha Mansouri (no relation),President of the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of Parliament. He also pressed the Senators on Western Sahara, mentioning the recent congressional letter to the President and raising the specter of a vast, anarchic ungoverned space extending across the Sahara. Only Western Sahara, under Morocco,s control, was an exception. Senator Burr seconded the importance of the U.S.-Moroccan relationship and assured Mansouri that he would be welcome on Capitol Hill. End Summary. ¶2. (S/NF) On May 26, Senators Richard Burr, Saxby Chambliss, Lindsey Graham and John Thune; Representative John Kline; staffers James Smythers and Jennifer Wagner; Charge and RAO Director met for two hours with Director General of Studies and Documentation (DGED) (external intelligence chief) and de facto national security advisor Mohammed Yassine Mansouri and his senior advisors. Senator Burr began by highlighting USG appreciation for the GOM,s exemplary cooperation and the number of terrorist and foreign fighter cells dismantled. -------------- AQ and AQIM -------------- ¶3. (S/NF) Mansouri began his briefing by asserting that Al Qaeda (AQ) is losing influence in Iraq; yet Yemen, Somalia, Lebanon, Afghanistan and Pakistan represent growing dangers. Mansouri then turned to AQIM, saying that it is active in Algeria, Burkina Faso, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Nigeria. He said the DGED estimates AQIM,s total strength at 1,000 to 1,200 mostly Algerian fighters, with the number of foreign members growing. He estimated there are 35 to 40 Libyans. Mansouri opined that AQIM is involved in arms trafficking, narcotics smuggling and kidnapping. -------------- Algeria and Western Sahara -------------- ¶4. (S/NF) Asked about Moroccan-Algerian cooperation to combat AQIM, Mansouri said, &We have a grave problem with Algeria.8 Morocco appreciated Secretaries Rice and Clinton,s efforts to improve relations, but the key would be resolving the Western Sahara issue. Mansouri wished Ambassador Christopher Ross, the UN Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, the best of luck. -------------- Mauritania -------------- ¶5. (S/NF) Mansouri said that Morocco continued to be concerned about Mauritania,s stability. He estimated that AQIM had approximately 60 operatives in Mauritania. Underscoring that respect for institutions is important, he said Morocco attached greater importance to Mauritania,s stability than to democracy there and urged the USG to show greater flexibility. We noted that we believed it was possible to have both democracy and stability in Mauritania. -------------- Iran -------------- ¶6. (S/NF) Asked about Morocco,s decision to sever ties with Iran, Mansouri explained that Morocco was uncomfortable with Iran,s support for Hezbollah and Hamas. However, it was Iran,s proselytizing and interference in Morocco,s internal affairs that had resulted in the break. He predicted that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad would be re-elected. He warned that Iran could have a nuclear bomb within three to four years and that it was becoming more influential in Yemen, Somalia and elsewhere in Africa. He urged the U.S. to be very cautious. RABAT 00000479 002.2 OF 002 -------------- Guantanamo -------------- ¶7. (C) Mansouri took the opportunity to request again the return of the two Moroccans who remain in detention at Guantanamo. -------------- On to Parliament -------------- ¶8. (C) From the DGED, the CODEL went to Parliament to meet with President of the Chamber of Deputies Mustapha Mansouri for an hour. Mansouri, accompanied only by staff, underscored familiar points about the strong bilateral relationship. He focused on the Western Sahara, thanking the CODEL for the recent letter from 229 Members of Congress to the President, urging U.S. support for Morocco,s autonomy proposal. Mansouri said the conflict was really a legacy of the Cold War and of Algeria,s continued attachment to Eastern, socialist models. He feared that loss of the Western Sahara would open a vast, anarchic ungoverned space, with no real borders extending thousands of miles east from the Atlantic. Only Western Sahara, under Morocco,s control, was an exception. Mansouri said self-determination could mean autonomy or integration but not independence. ¶9. (SBU) The discussion moved from Western Sahara to more give and take. In response to Mansouri,s request for greater cooperation between the Moroccan Parliament and the U.S. Congress, Senator Burr invited President Mansouri to Washington. Senator Burr also expressed support for Ambassador Ross. Senator Graham and Senator Chambliss expressed their appreciation for Morocco,s cooperation on counterterrorism. Senator Thune congratulated Mansouri on strengthening the Moroccan Parliament, and he urged continued efforts to develop checks and balances. Senator Graham applauded the growing role of women in Moroccan politics. Representative Kline too highlighted the role of women and the 2004 Family Code. Mansouri responded that democracy requires an educated population. ¶10. (C) Comment: CODEL Burr learned a lot about Moroccan-U.S. cooperation in a short time, especially concerning counterterrorism and democracy promotion. They learned more about Western Sahara, and they clearly heard Director General Mansouri,s concerns about Iran and Mauritania. Three of the five Members of Congress had not visited Morocco previously, and Senator Burr had not been here in over 10 years. This time the Chamber President did not invite other legislators, which we will urge for future meetings. CODEL Burr did not have an opportunity to clear this cable. End Comment. ***************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Moro cco ***************************************** Jackson