MOROCCO FLOATS GLOBAL INITIATIVE UN RESOLUTION AND

UNCLAS RABAT 000591 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR T, ISN AND NEA/MAG C O R R E C T E D C O P Y - (PASSING INSTRUCTIONS AND TAGS) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PTER KNNP KTIA MO SUBJECT: MOROCCO FLOATS GLOBAL INITIATIVE UN RESOLUTION AND WANTS IN ON PLANNED NONPROLIFERATION SUMMIT ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Morocco continues to seek global leadership in nonproliferation affairs. In the wake of being host to the first conference of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT),the Government of Morocco (GOM) is proposing to co-author, with the United States and Russia, a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution recognizing the GICNT. Also, upon hearing of the international nuclear nonproliferation summit proposed to the G-8 in Italy by POTUS for 2010, Moroccan officials have suggested that the GOM's solid track record merited Morocco being among twenty to thirty-five countries invited. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) Polcouns and D/Polcouns met with Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) International Organizations Director Azzedine Farhane on July 9 to discuss the GICNT issue. Farhane used the meeting to propose to the United States introducing a joint Moroccan, U.S., and Russian resolution before the UNGA this Fall to endorse the GICNT. Farhane provided Polcouns with a copy of a draft U.N. resolution for U.S. consideration (paragraph 3). Farhane said the GOM was also seeking concurrence from Russia (Note: the U.S. and Russia are co-chairs of GICNT). Embassy submits the below text for Department consideration. ¶3. (SBU) Draft Resolution Text Follows: Draft resolution of the 64th session of the General Assembly related to the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism By Morocco, The United States of America, The Russian Federation The General Assembly, Guided by the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, and reaffirming its respect for and commitment to international law, Referring to the Security Council Resolutions 1373 (2001) on Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts and 1540 (2004) on non proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, Recalling the adoption by consensus of the Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and its 2005 Amendment, Determined to prevent the illicit trafficking in nuclear and radioactive materials and substances and the potential terrorist threats using such materials, Acknowledging the crucial role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the fields of nuclear safety and security, Reaffirming the responsibility of all States to contribute to the international stability and security, Convinced that international cooperation and dialogue are the only appropriate way to address this threat to international peace and security, Emphasizing the importance to develop partnership capacity to combat nuclear terrorism on a determined and systematic basis consistent with national legal authorities and obligations they have under relevant international legal frameworks, Considering the principles and terms of references of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism adopted in its first meeting in Rabat on 31 October 2006, Taking note of the commitments of the State Partners during the subsequent meetings of the Global Initiative held in Astana, Ankara, Madrid and The Hague, ¶1. Welcomes the Global Initiative as a contribution to the international action against Nuclear Terrorism and to the international security. ¶2. Expresses its satisfaction to its operative framework of cooperation between State Partners and voluntary activities aiming at combating nuclear terrorism and building necessary capacities to prevent and respond to eventual threats. ¶3. Encourages members States of the United Nations to adhere to the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism. ¶4. (SBU) MFA's Ambassador Nasser Bourita, Director-General for Multilateral Affairs, told Polcouns later on July 9 that the GOM was pleased and encouraged to hear of President Obama's call for an international non-proliferation summit. In the GOM's view, Morocco merits an invitation to such a summit as one of the twenty to thirty-five proposed participants, because of its solid nonproliferation record, including: its hosting of the first GICNT meeting, extensive participation in GICNT, association with the Proliferation Security Initiative, and cooperation in the nonproliferation agenda as a former member of the IAEA Board of Governors. "Besides, such an initiative would benefit from having a relatively small developing country participate," Bourita added. Morocco would appreciate being kept in mind and kept apprised of U.S. thinking as the conference approaches. Bourita's message was underscored the next day by another meeting with Farhane who said he had been instructed by Foreign Minister Fassi Fihri to convey GOM interest in the proposed summit. ***************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Moro cco ***************************************** Jackson