AMBASSADOR RILEY RAISES CORRUPTION AND HUMAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RABAT 000051 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA, NEA/MAG AND DRL/NESCA E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2019 TAGS: PREL PINS PHUM PTER WI MO SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR RILEY RAISES CORRUPTION AND HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNS DURING FAREWELL CALLS REF: RABAT 0038 Classified By: CDA Robert P. Jackson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: After over five years as the U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco, Ambassador Thomas T. Riley paid his farewell calls on King Mohammed VI, Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi, and Foreign Minister Taieb Fassi Fihri between January 14 and 17. While the cordial meetings acknowledged the Free Trade Agreement (FTA),the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Compact, Major Non-NATO Ally status and counterterrorism cooperation, the Ambassador did not hesitate to highlight worsening corruption and judicial bias as issues. He urged the GOM to invest in Western Sahara and to respect human rights there. The King recognized Ambassador Riley's meritorious service with an award. End summary. Award for Meritorious Service -------------- ¶2. (U) On January 17 at the Royal Palace in Fes, King Mohammed VI bestowed the Grand Cordon of the Ouissam Alaouite Order on Ambassador Riley for his "meritorious service." (Note: The award is analogous to U.S. Legion of Merit, and previous recipients include President Dwight D. Eisenhower, former Secretary of State George Marshall and General George ¶S. Patton. Some but not all previous U.S. ambassadors have received this highest civilian award that Morocco bestows. End note.) FTA, MCA and Major Non-NATO Ally -------------- ¶3. (C) The most substantive farewell meeting was with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Fassi Fihri on January 15. MFA Secretary General Youssef Amrani, new Chief of Protocol Ambassador Abdelouahab Bellouki, Director of American Affairs Fouad Yazourgh, and DCM attended the 45-minute meeting. After thanking the Ambassador for his friendship and hard work, Fassi Fihri said that he hoped the United States understood that Morocco's transition under King Mohammed VI has not been easy and that Morocco remains a land of sharp contrasts. Acknowledging Major Non-NATO Ally Status, the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Compact, Fassi Fihri declared that the last five years have been the best for bilateral relations. ¶4. (C) Ambassador Riley responded that he appreciated having had the opportunity to work with the Minister on the Bush Administration initiatives that the Minister had cited. He assured the Minister that he expected the Obama Administration to support the MCA. The Ambassador underscored that the FTA was important for both trade and investment. The Ambassador also thanked the Minister for Morocco's steadfast cooperation on counterterrorism issues. Challenges -------------- ¶5. (C) Even in his farewell call, the Ambassador did not shy away from expressing some concerns. In particular, he underscored that every American investor in the real estate sector faces serious hurdles, especially difficulties with corrupt officials and a corrupt, ineffective judiciary. Fassi Fihri attempted to minimize the corruption, asserting that public procurement has become more transparent. The Ambassador held his ground, insisting that corruption is getting worse and citing cases where employees fired for good cause won outrageous awards from the courts. The Minister again attempted to minimize the problem by saying that all employers complain about the labor code. The Ambassador concluded the corruption discussion by highlighting the Ministry of Health's efforts to tackle corruption and suggesting that strong, well-educated civil servants can help to address this scourge. Western Sahara -------------- ¶6. (C) Ambassador Riley then urged the GOM to continue to invest in the Western Sahara and to respect human rights there. The Ambassador said that Morocco has an opportunity to show the Sahrawis, its friends and enemies that it is doing the right thing. The Minister said that Morocco had followed U.S. advice and would be promoting democracy and development as the negotiations proceed. RABAT 00000051 002 OF 002 Comment -------------- ¶7. (C) Ambassador Riley had cordial farewell meetings with the King, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister. He did not shy from giving them advice and from expressing concerns -- just as he did throughout his five years as Ambassador to Morocco. Reftel reported on discussions concerning Gaza. End comment. ***************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ***************************************** Jackson