MOROCCAN FM STAYING IN NEW YORK TO GET GAZA

C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000006 STATE FOR NEA/MAG, IO/UNP E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/04/2034 TAGS: PREL PHUM KPAL KWBG UNSC MO SUBJECT: MOROCCAN FM STAYING IN NEW YORK TO GET GAZA RESOLUTION REF: RABAT 5 Classified By: PolCouns Craig Karp for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) MFA COS Bourita (protect) told Polcouns this afternoon that FM Fassi Fihri was in New York with the Arab FM delegation, led by Saudi FM el Faisal. They were about to go into a meeting with the SYG. Bourita said the Arab Group was seeking an UNSC resolution which would produce an immediate cease fire. They understood and accepted USG interest in a lasting comprehensive solution re: Hamas rocketing, but this could take time. Their immediate goal was to stop the images of carnage of innocent civilians emanating hourly from satellite TV. Fassi Fihri was planning to stay in NY to get this done. Morocco would continue to lead the Arab group at the Permrep level only. ¶2. (C) Speaking personally, Bourita said that while the Israeli success rate on targeting Hamas shows how good IDF intelligence was, even the twenty five percent of civilians among the dead was still outrageous and having a devastating effect on the popular mood. Hamas has shown itself weak, and it is no Hezbullah, he said, but it has gained politically from the pounding. While the situation was triggered by events following the expiration of the cease fire, the true causes of the current crisis go back years. The Hamas delegation in Cairo was a good sign. Once a cease fire was in place and the situation stabilized there might be an opportunity for more far-reaching progress. ¶3. (SBU) Comment: Since reftel, we continue to receive reports of small-scale, scattered, and spontaneous, but peaceful protests from around Morocco, largely involving youth. ***************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ***************************************** Riley