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.


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Jackson