MOROCCANS PROTEST PLANNED UN DEBATE ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000592 SIPDIS STATE FOR IO/UNP, NEA/MAG E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2014 TAGS: PREL PBTS UN WI MO SUBJECT: MOROCCANS PROTEST PLANNED UN DEBATE ON DECOLONIZATION IN WESTERN SAHARA Classified By: Polcouns Craig Karp for reasons: 1.4 (b) and (c). ¶1. (C) On instructions of his minister, Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs International Organizations Director Azzedine Farhane convoked Polcouns July 9, to protest the decision of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann to schedule an "Interactive Thematic Dialogue of the UNGA on Decolonization, Democracy, and Human Rights," planned for September 8 in New York. A discussion of non-self governing countries was projected, according to Farhane, to focus on the Western Sahara and Puerto Rico, which he thought should raise U.S. concerns. The Government of Morocco (GOM) was disturbed as d'Escoto Brockmann put this on the schedule without customary consultations. In addition, the GOM believed that the UNGA was not the appropriate forum to discuss these subjects, particularly in connection with the Western Sahara, which was fully covered in the Fourth Committee. The GOM hoped the USG could help stop this from taking place. ¶2. (SBU) Farhane was also convening the other P-5 embassies for the same discussion. He said this would also be raised by Morocco's Permanent Mission in New York. ***************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Moro cco ***************************************** Jackson