AMBASSADOR'S FIRST MEETING WITH MOROCCAN FM FASSI

C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000839

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA, NEA/IPA AND NEA/MAG

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/07/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV ETRD PTER MA
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S FIRST MEETING WITH MOROCCAN FM FASSI
FIHRI

REF: A. RABAT 0821

B. THOME-JONES E-MAILS

C. 08 OCT 2009

Classified By: Ambassador Samuel Kaplan for reasons 1.4 (b and d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: During their initial meeting, Foreign
Minister Fassi Fihri offered the Ambassador Morocco's
perspectives on nearly all our key bilateral and multilateral
priorities. He focused most heavily on the Middle East Peace
Process (MEPP),emphasizing that King Mohammed VI firmly
believes that "peace is possible" and that Morocco has a role
to play in the process. He reiterated that the GOM has
sought to understand the MEPP from the Israelis' perspective
-- even if it does not agree -- and noted that "we can talk
to the Israelis -- for us it's not taboo." That said, he
said that the difficult issues surrounding Jerusalem are
"extremely sensitive" for Mohammed VI, who is facing
increasing criticism from some of his Arab allies -- and
outright hostility domestically -- for his efforts to
contribute positively to the MEPP. Fassi Fihri highlighted
the joint U.S.-Moroccan efforts to counter terrorism and
radicalization, expressing appreciation for our support for
increased regional cooperation. The Ambassador and the
Minister agreed on the need to maintain and reinforce our
already strong bilateral relationship, and the Ambassador
specifically thanked Morocco for its efforts to promote
Middle East peace. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) The Ambassador presented copies of his letters of
credence to Moroccan Foreign Minister Taieb Fassi Fihri on
October 7. A warm and expansive Fassi Fihri alluded to our
long and productive bilateral relationship and emphasized the
accelerated progress over past 16 years. "We need to
maintain the momentum we built during the Clinton and Bush
administrations," he said, hailing the recent exchange of
letters between President Obama and King Mohammed VI as
crucial to establishing a framework for moving forward. He
noted that there are "small issues" that need resolving which
include a tax dispute with the Rabat American School and
confirming GOM authorizations for the construction of a new
Chancery in Rabat and a new Consulate General in Casablanca.
However, Fassi Fihri expressed confidence that these can be
easily resolved and that our overall partnership on the major
issues has been and should continue to be outstanding.

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Morocco and Israel
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3. (C) Fassi Fihri detailed how Morocco views its role in
facilitating the MEPP. Since the 1970s Morocco has been
committed to seeing Israelis and Palestinians living as
neighbors, but now Mohammed VI has become convinced that "a
real peace is possible," based ultimately on a two-state
solution. Morocco has sought dialogue with the Israelis, in
part to try to better understand Israel's points of view on
the sensitive questions; even if they disagree, Fassi Fihri
emphasized that too many Arab countries neglect the
importance of at least understanding the Israelis' priorities
and red lines. For example, he said, Mohammed VI is
"extremely sensitive" about construction and other Netanyahu
government policies in Jerusalem, given the King's role as
the head of the regional Al Qods (Jerusalem) Committee;
however, the King has tried to understand that Netanyahu was
elected in part because of those hard stances on Jerusalem.
As another example, Morocco continues, as a matter of policy,
to insist that international law be respected with regard to
the right of return for Palestinian refugees. However, Fassi
Fihri acknowledged that it would be impossible for all
refugees to return, adding that "here we are flexible and we
understand Israel's concerns."


4. (C) Regarding U.S. efforts, Fassi Fihri praised President
Obama's Cairo speech and said that while some Arab leaders
interpreted the President's UNGA speech as a "retreat" from
what he said in Cairo, the Moroccans do not share that
interpretation. The Ambassador thanked Fassi Fihri for the
positive role Morocco has played on the MEPP and on other
issues, adding that in Washington Morocco is consistently
singled out as a strong U.S. ally and willing and able
partner. He also underscored President Obama's personal
commitment to peace in the Middle East -- commitment the
Ambassador deeply shared.

-------------- --
Counterterrorism, Trade, Military and W. Sahara

-------------- --


5. (C) On other issues, Fassi Fihri said the U.S. and
Morocco have a shared commitment to fighting radicalism,
terrorism and human and other trafficking. He praised U.S.
support for a regional response to these threats in North
Africa and the Sahel. On trade, the FM said the U.S. and
Morocco need to continue strengthening our bilateral economic
relation and hailed the Free Trade Agreement negotiations as
a major component of this effort. Fassi Fihri also cited
Morocco's major purchase of F-16 aircraft as a sign of our
strong military-to-military relationship, musing that
although the decision left France quite disappointed it was
the right move for Morocco. Fassi Fihri also briefly
mentioned the Western Sahara, calling in Morocco's most
difficult and most important priority. However, he
specifically postponed an in-depth discussion by saying, "But
you will notice that I am not talking about it today."


6. (C) COMMENT: In welcoming the new Ambassador, Fassi Fihri
was warm, open and sincere in his satisfaction with the
current state of the bilateral relationship and its future.
END COMMENT.


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Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Moro cco
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Kaplan