VZCZCXYZ0012
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHRB #0458 1411109
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 201109Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY RABAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8594
INFO RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA 4103
UNCLAS RABAT 000458
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM PHUM PREL KPAO SOCI CU MO
SUBJECT: GOM BRIEFED ON CUBAN SOLIDARITY DAY
REF: STATE 51536
1. (SBU) Fouad Yazourh, Director of American (Western
Hemisphere) Affairs at the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign
Affairs met Polcouns on May 16 and received a summary of USG
interest in Cuban Solidarity Day. Yazourh stated that the
Moroccan Government has had no diplomatic relations with the
Cuban Government for decades. Cuba has been an active
supporter of the anti-Moroccan Polisario movement in the
Western Sahara and has even provided military assistance to
the Polisario during the period of armed conflict in the
1970's and 1980's . Yazourh noted that his government has
stood with the U.S. in condemning Cuba,s human rights
violations, and appreciated hearing about the May 21 Cuba
Solidarity Day. Given the extremely low profile of the issue
here, however, the Government of Morocco has not planned any
statment or activity.
2. (SBU) Reflective of the ontinuing Moroccan support for the
people of Cuba, vice the government, the music group Los Van
Van played on May 17 at the independent, but
government-supported, Rabat world music festival.
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Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
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Riley