VZCZCXYZ0010
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHRB #1125 3401746
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 051746Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY RABAT
TO RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA IMMEDIATE 4410
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9402
UNCLAS RABAT 001125
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/MAG RANDALL KAAILAU
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL TPHY KTBT KSCI KTIA MO
SUBJECT: MOROCCO FINALIZING SEISMIC AGREEMENT
REF: A. STATE 126489
B. 07 STATE 120858
1. (SBU) Embassy conveyed our need to sign the bilateral
seismic agreement with Morocco by the end of the year via
diplomatic note on December 5. In addition, PolCouns met
with MFA Chief of Staff Nasser Bourita who informed PolCouns
that the GOM is seized with the matter and is working
dilgently to have the seismic agreement signed before
December 31, 2008.
2. (SBU) MFA Deputy Director of Laws and Treaties Aboul
Koroum informed Poloff this week that they have made progress
in settling on a price for the land and the Ministry of
Finance has agreed in principal to fund the annual lease.
They are now waiting to make things official. Upon Koroum's
request, Post re-sent English, French, and Arabic
translations of the agreement to the MFA on December 5.
Comment: Post is cautiously optimistic that the Moroccans
will meet the December 31 deadline.
*****************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
*****************************************
Riley