VZCZCXYZ0484
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHCL #0007 0131705
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 131705Z JAN 10
FM AMCONSUL CASABLANCA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8592
RUCNMGH/MAGHREB COLLECTIVE
RUEHAB/AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN 0001
RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 0207
RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM 0006
RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA 0001
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0017
RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS CASABLANCA 000007
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR IO/PSC AND NEA/MAG
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL KPKO CG IV WI MO
SUBJECT: MOROCCO: EFFECTIVENESS OF UN EFFORTS TO COMBAT
SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE IN UN PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS
REF: A. 09 STATE 130760
B. 07 RABAT 1238
1. (U) This cable responds to Ref A request for information on UN
efforts to combat trafficking in persons (TIP) and sexual
exploitation and abuse (SEA) involving UN peacekeeping mission
personnel in the Western Sahara and Moroccan peacekeepers in Cote
d'Ivoire the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This message was
cleared with Embassy Rabat and represents coordinated Mission
views.
2. (SBU) According to the Government of Morocco (GOM), TIP and SEA
are not a problem within the United Nations Mission on the
Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). Redouan Houssaini, Ministry
of Foreign Affairs (MFA) UN Division Chie, submitted a response in
writing to Mission inqiries stating the MFA is not aware of any SEA
orTIP issues pertaining to MINURSO.
3. (SBU) MINRSO Public Affairs Officer Carmen Johns told poloff
that there were no cases of SEA or TIP misconduc in 2009. MINURSO
is currently in the process o hiring a new Conduct and Discipline
Officer whowill be is responsible for briefing andtraining all new
arrivals on SEA, TIP, and other conduct issues. Johns reported that
MINURSO conducts regular refresher training throughout the year.
4. (SBU) Houssaini also reported there were no incidents of SEA or
TIP among the 1,561 members of the Moroccan Armed Forces serving at
the UN Peacekeeping Operations in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC).
5. (U) In July 2007, Moroccan peacekeepers in Cote d'Ivoire were
accused of sexual abuse involving underage girls. The GOM fully
supported UN efforts to investigate the accusations. An inquiry
team, consisting of UN investigators and Moroccan army officers, was
unable to unearth any conclusive evidence of abuse. No formal
charges were filed (Ref B). There have been no allegations
regarding Moroccan peacekeepers since 2007.
6. (SBU) Mission is unaware of any other official reports in 2009
of SEA or TIP incidents involving MINURSO personnel or Moroccan
peacekeepers in Cote d'Ivoire. The Embassy's Human Rights officer
contacted local NGOs in Laayoune, Western Sahara which reported they
do not believe there are SEA or TIP problems connected to MINURSO.