U.S.-MOROCCO SECURITY DIALOGUES

S E C R E T RABAT 000904

SIPDIS
NOFORN

STATE FOR PM - CPETRONE AND NEA/RA - SSOUCEK

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2019
TAGS: MARR PREL MASS MO
SUBJECT: U.S.-MOROCCO SECURITY DIALOGUES

REF: STATE 112900

Classified By: DCM Robert P. Jackson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (c).


1. (S/NF) Summary: The United States and Morocco maintain
several security dialogues. Bilateral engagement includes
discussions of border control and related issues,
military-to-military consultations, and a State Partnership
Program with the Utah National Guard. In addition to the
formal Defense Consultative Committee, we also have a formal
defense intelligence-sharing agreement. These dialogues
support U.S. foreign policy goals in Morocco and help ensure
the country is a stable ally in the region. End summary.

--------------
Security Dialogue with Interior Ministry
--------------


2. (SBU) In early October, a multi-agency U.S. engagement
team met with a Ministry of Interior delegation led by the
Assistant Director of Migration and Border Security for two
days of frank, wide-ranging discussions. The dialogue
addressed trafficking in persons, migration,
counterterrorism, drug trafficking/counternarcotics, regional
threats, human rights, and assistance/development efforts.
Established by informal agreement to collaborate, the talks
marked the beginning of what is expected to become a regular,
ongoing dialogue on these crucial issues, with the next
meeting anticipated in late November.

--------------
Defense Consultative Committee
--------------


3. (C) Morocco and the United States have maintained formal
military-to-military discussions for many years under the
auspices of a bilateral Defense Consultative Committee (DCC).
Discussions take place every 18 months; the next iteration
is scheduled to be held December 3-4 in Washington, DC. In
some ways pro forma, both sides share an interest in making
these consultations more substantive and using them to
advance negotiations on a status of forces agreement (SOFA)
and other agreements.

--------------
Intelligence Sharing and TSCTP
--------------


4. (S/NF) The U.S. and Morocco also maintain a long-standing
military intelligence sharing agreement. Renewed every five
years, the agreement is accompanied by annual consultations
in Morocco and/or the U.S. about how to improve intelligence
sharing. Moreover, the Directors of Military Intelligence
meet at least annually in the context of the Trans-Saharan
Counterterrorism Partnership (TSCTP).

--------------
Financial Management Review
--------------


5. (SBU) Hosted by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency
and the Moroccan Ministry for the Administration of National
Defense, senior staff meet annually to review fiscal aspects
of foreign military sales/foreign military financing
(FMS/FMF). There is no formal agreement, but the review is
part of the FMS/FMF process. The most recent Financial
Management Review was held in June.

--------------
Theater Security Cooperation Plan
--------------


6. (SBU) In the context of the Theater Security Cooperation
Plan (TSCP) and under the auspices of Africa Command, senior
field grade officers from the Moroccan military's operations
directorate and AFRICOM officials hold an annual bilateral
planning conference to review strategic plans and policies.
Predating the establishment of Africa Command, the TSCP and
associated conference are long-standing vehicles that govern
the Office of Security Cooperation's engagement in Morocco.

--------------
State Partnership Program
--------------


7. (U) The National Guard's State Partnership Program (SPP)
links Utah with Morocco to promote and enhance bilateral
relations. The partnership began in 2004 and includes
military-military, military-civilian, and civilian-civilian
engagement, with two annual planning conferences each year.
Utah National Guard Adjutant General Tarbet visits annually
during unit-level exchange exercises and holds meetings with
Moroccan military officials. His next visit is scheduled for
March 2010.

--------------
Global Peacekeeping Operations Initiative
--------------


8. (SBU) The GOM has been invited formally to participate in
the Global Peacekeeping Operations Initiative (GPOI),through
which the U.S. intends to provide training and other support
so the Moroccan military can sustain and continue to develop
its peacekeeping operations capacity. The Ministry of
Foreign Affairs will coordinate Morocco's GPOI request, and
the Mission maintains regular dialogue with MFA officials in
working to finalize the program.

--------------
Comment
--------------


9. (SBU) Morocco has been an exemplary partner in the
struggle against terrorism, and our military and political
cooperation is growing. Morocco serves as a regional model
for economic and political reform, and continued U.S.
political/military assistance and engagement will help
advance the positive changes underway and ensure the country
remains a stable ally and a leader in the North Africa
region. End Comment.


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

Kaplan