MOROCCAN MARINE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AUTHORIZATION

UNCLAS RABAT 000933 SIPDIS DEPT FOR OES/OPA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EWWT TPHY KRVC MO SUBJECT: MOROCCAN MARINE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AUTHORIZATION PROCEDURES REF: STATE 101996 REQUESTING MARINE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH -------------- ¶1. (U) The Division of Legal Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MFA) is responsible for granting authorization to conduct marine scientific research for foreign vessels. The MFA has no formal written procedures or deadlines for requests. However, Chief of the Division of Legal Affairs Abdelkarim Benselam told EconOff that the MFA prefers to receive requests in the form of a diplomatic note from the Embassy including the names of the persons and institutions requesting authorization, the technical details of the intended research, and the exact dates for the proposed activity. The MFA will then consult with other agencies including the Ministry of Interior, the National Defense Administration, and the Department of Maritime Fisheries, before responding through the Embassy. Although the MFA does not set a minimum time for requests, Benselam stated that two to three months of advance notice is usually required to complete consultations and provide a clearance. EMBASSY POINT OF CONTACT -------------- ¶2. (U) The Embassy Point of Contact for managing requests for marine scientific research authorizations is Economic Officer Jai L. Nair (SBU e-mail: NairJL@state.gov, Phone: 212-537-76-22-65). His tour of duty is anticipated to end in July 2011. ***************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Moro cco ***************************************** JACKSON