Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RABAT821
2009-10-05 14:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rabat
Cable title:
MOROCCO RESPONSE TO POTUS MEETINGS WITH NETANYAHU
how-toVZCZCXYZ0747 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHRB #0821 2781430 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 051430Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY RABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0708 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000821
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/05/2016
TAGS: KPAL PREL PGOV MA IS
SUBJECT: MOROCCO RESPONSE TO POTUS MEETINGS WITH NETANYAHU
AND ABBAS; CLARIFICATIONS ON MOROCCO-ISRAEL MEETINGS AT UNGA
REF: SECSTATE 99834
Classified By: Political Counselor Gregory Thome, Reasons, 1.4 (b,d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000821
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/05/2016
TAGS: KPAL PREL PGOV MA IS
SUBJECT: MOROCCO RESPONSE TO POTUS MEETINGS WITH NETANYAHU
AND ABBAS; CLARIFICATIONS ON MOROCCO-ISRAEL MEETINGS AT UNGA
REF: SECSTATE 99834
Classified By: Political Counselor Gregory Thome, Reasons, 1.4 (b,d).
1. (C) PolCouns delivered reftel demarche to Moroccan MFA
Director-General for Multilateral Affairs and the Middle East
Mohammed Azaroual Oct. 5, following his return from the UNGA.
Azaroual shared the GOM's appreciation for President Obama's
deep engagement on Peace Process issues and for our read-out
on the Netanyahu-Abbas meetings in New York. He also noted
Morocco's "satisfaction" that the U.S. remains committed to
its position on settlements. The GOM continues to view
settlements as one of the key stumbling blocks to resuming
meaningful negotiations -- and one that the Israelis will not
compromise on without continued U.S. engagement.
2. (C) Azaroual confirmed that Foreign Minister Fassi Fihri
did not meet his Israeli counterpart in New York on the
margins of the UNGA, but noted that it was not for lack of
trying. Both ministers had intended to meet informally,
Azaroual said, but their schedules simply did not permit it.
Azaroual himself did meet with members of the Israeli
delegation at the DG level; he took the opportunity to
express support for resumed negotiations while also
"suggesting" to the Israelis that they needed "to give
something to Abu Mazen, like for example some positive signal
regarding the settlements." When asked how the Israelis
responded, Azaroual stressed that they took it as a
suggestion, not a demand, and in the generally positive
spirit Morocco intended. (NOTE: Elements of the Moroccan
press had churned out "scandal" headlines in September
alleging that Fassi Fihri had met with Israeli FM Lieberman
in New York -- allegations that the Moroccan MFA quickly
denied by press release the following day. But the lower
level contacts did take place, according to Azaroual. END
NOTE)
*****************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Moro cco
*****************************************
Millard
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/05/2016
TAGS: KPAL PREL PGOV MA IS
SUBJECT: MOROCCO RESPONSE TO POTUS MEETINGS WITH NETANYAHU
AND ABBAS; CLARIFICATIONS ON MOROCCO-ISRAEL MEETINGS AT UNGA
REF: SECSTATE 99834
Classified By: Political Counselor Gregory Thome, Reasons, 1.4 (b,d).
1. (C) PolCouns delivered reftel demarche to Moroccan MFA
Director-General for Multilateral Affairs and the Middle East
Mohammed Azaroual Oct. 5, following his return from the UNGA.
Azaroual shared the GOM's appreciation for President Obama's
deep engagement on Peace Process issues and for our read-out
on the Netanyahu-Abbas meetings in New York. He also noted
Morocco's "satisfaction" that the U.S. remains committed to
its position on settlements. The GOM continues to view
settlements as one of the key stumbling blocks to resuming
meaningful negotiations -- and one that the Israelis will not
compromise on without continued U.S. engagement.
2. (C) Azaroual confirmed that Foreign Minister Fassi Fihri
did not meet his Israeli counterpart in New York on the
margins of the UNGA, but noted that it was not for lack of
trying. Both ministers had intended to meet informally,
Azaroual said, but their schedules simply did not permit it.
Azaroual himself did meet with members of the Israeli
delegation at the DG level; he took the opportunity to
express support for resumed negotiations while also
"suggesting" to the Israelis that they needed "to give
something to Abu Mazen, like for example some positive signal
regarding the settlements." When asked how the Israelis
responded, Azaroual stressed that they took it as a
suggestion, not a demand, and in the generally positive
spirit Morocco intended. (NOTE: Elements of the Moroccan
press had churned out "scandal" headlines in September
alleging that Fassi Fihri had met with Israeli FM Lieberman
in New York -- allegations that the Moroccan MFA quickly
denied by press release the following day. But the lower
level contacts did take place, according to Azaroual. END
NOTE)
*****************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Moro cco
*****************************************
Millard