CODEL GREGG DISCUSSES ALGERIA, WESTERN SAHARA,

UNCLAS RABAT 000063 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR H, NEA/RA AND NEA/MAG E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OTRA PREL KPAL KDEM EFIN AG WI MO SUBJECT: CODEL GREGG DISCUSSES ALGERIA, WESTERN SAHARA, MEPP, DEMOCRATIZATION AND MICROFINANCE WITH PRIME MINISTER ¶1. (SBU) Summary: CODEL Gregg held a wide-ranging discussion with the Prime Minister on January 5. Prime Minister El Fassi addressed Moroccan relations with Algeria, stating that Algeria wanted to maintain the status quo on Western Sahara. The Prime Minister emphasized progress on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process as a key to improving U.S.-Moroccan relations, and Morocco's role as a model of tolerant Islam. He also discussed human rights, the role of women in Moroccan politics, and microfinance. End Summary. ¶2. (U) During the CODEL's visit to Morocco from January 5 to 7, Senators Judd Gregg, Evan Bayh, Arlen Specter, Michael Enzi, John Cornyn and Amy Klobuchar met with Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi on January 5. The Ambassador accompanied the Senators, and the Prime Minister was accompanied by his Secretary General, Mohammed Hajoui. -------------- Relations with Algeria -------------- ¶3. (SBU) In response to a question about the situation in Algeria, El Fassi called Algeria a centralized state run by the army despite the fact that "its people want to govern themselves." It was the army that wanted to maintain the status quo on the Western Sahara because prolonging the conflict benefited the army and kept it in power, he opined. By contrast, the Western Sahara issue is "sacred" for all Moroccans -- not just the Government. El Fassi expressed a desire for better relations with Algeria, especially for opening the border between the two countries. The Arab Maghreb Union would be much stronger with open borders; furthermore, the Maghreb region would be stronger in lobbying Europe if it presented a united front rather than each state going to Europe individually, said the Prime Minister. -------------- Middle East -------------- ¶4. (SBU) In response to questions about fostering better Moroccan-American understanding, El Fassi emphasized the importance of progress on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process (MEPP). He lamented the "genocide" against Palestinians and "violations" of their human rights, as well as the "silence of superpowers" on the issue. "Verbal protests" against Israeli settlements are not enough, he added, and "we are waiting for President Obama's steps to reinforce peace." These criticisms notwithstanding, El Fassi reiterated Morocco's support for the MEPP and reminded the delegation that Morocco was an example of tolerance and coexistence that reflects universal values. Morocco's version of Islam, he concluded, "combats violence, respects human and women's rights, and promotes justice." -------------- Democracy and Development -------------- ¶5. (U) El Fassi also underscored Moroccan projects for democracy, modernization and reform, noting in particular the King's efforts to increase women's participation in politics. Morocco required a 12 percent quota of women on all parties' electoral lists in the local council elections last June, he explained, and as a result women won 13 percent of the seats, compared less than one half of one percent representation after the 2003 elections. He expressed his government's desire to continue on this path towards more elected women. On human rights, he highlighted Morocco's Consultative Council for Human Rights, made up of scholars and political party members from the majority and opposition. The government also issued a law making torture a crime and compensating those who were victims of torture during the "Years of Lead" under the late King Hassan II. He also discussed the government's respect for freedom of the press in Morocco. ¶6. (U) On the economic development side, El Fassi addressed rural development and pointed to projects to build airports, seaports and highways. The Government was building 2,000 kilometers per year of roads in rural areas, he added. Comparing unemployment in Morocco to Algeria, he drew attention to the fact that Morocco in 2008 had a 5.6 percent GDP growth rate while Algeria only had a two percent GDP growth rate in the same year. In response to a question on microfinance, the Prime Minister explained that Morocco was trying hard to fight poverty and represented a model in the region in this respect. Microfinance loans -- under USD 6,000 ) mostly benefit poor women in rural areas who are under 35 years old. He stated that approximately 500,000 people had already benefited from this type of loan. ¶7. (SBU) Comment: El Fassi's focus on Algeria reflects both Morocco's national obsession with its neighbor and the dismally low point to which relations between the two countries have sunk over the past several months. Regarding the MEPP, he painted a much harsher picture of Israel than did Foreign Minister Taieb Fassi Fihri in his meeting with the CODEL (septel) -- reflecting his more populist view and the fact that he spends much less time working directly on the issue. End Comment. ¶8. (U) CODEL Gregg cleared this message. ***************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Moro cco ***************************************** KAPLAN