Cablegate: Codel Cardin Meets with Gom Officials

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DE RUEHRB #0151/01 0531515
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R 221515Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY RABAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1228
INFO RUEHVI/AMEMBASSY VIENNA 0159
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RUCNMGH/MAGHREB COLLECTIVE

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KTIP MO
SUBJECT: CODEL CARDIN MEETS WITH GOM OFFICIALS

1. (U) SUMMARY. On February 15, 2010, a five-member Congressional
delegation led by Senator Cardin met with Moroccan MFA Secretary
General Youssef Amrani and MOI Director of Internal Affairs Mohammed
Tricha. The parties discussed regional stability, human rights,
counterterrorism, and other domestic and global issues. Amrani
stated that the bilateral relationship is built on friendship,
respect, and cooperation. Senator Cardin highlighted the role
Morocco plays as a regional leader in human rights and security
efforts but urged the GOM to do more to thwart trafficking in
persons (TIP) and child labor. The meeting concluded with a brief
discussion of Western Sahara and the Middle East peace process. END
SUMMARY.

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Domestic Overview
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2. (U) A five-member Congressional delegation led by Senator
Benjamin Cardin (D-MD) and including Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS),
Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Rep. Laura Richardson (D-CA), and Rep.
Eni Faleomavaega (D-AS) met on February 15 with Moroccan Ministry of
Foreign Affairs Secretary General Youssef Amrani and Ministry of
Interior Director General of Internal Affairs Mohammed Tricha. The
Ambassador, D/Polcouns, and Political Assistant accompanied the
Congressional delegation. Amrani and Tricha were joined by MFA
Director of Communications Karim Medrek, Americas Director Fouad
Yazourgh, and Americas Desk Officer Abderrahim Rahally.

3. (U) Amrani opened the discussion, thanking the CODEL for its
visit to Morocco and describing the relationship between the United
States and Morocco as one based on shared values of democracy, human
rights, friendship, mutual respect, and cooperation. He described
Moroccan social and political reforms, particularly with regard to
the role of women, freedom of the press, and the development of a
vibrant civil society. He praised the U.S-Morocco Free Trade
Agreement, calling it a "breakthrough" in relations, and stated that
Morocco can benefit greatly from increased interaction with the U.S.
economy. Amrani said that Morocco's domestic reforms have created a
strong economy and political system, and that the focus is now on
judicial reform and education. "Islam is compatible with
democracy," he said, adding that a country can be Arab and Muslim
and still maintain dialogue with the West.

4. (SBU) Amrani then described Morocco's vision to build a
democratic state marked by free, transparent elections and strong
civil society. There must be democracy in both the design and
implementation of policy, he said, recognizing that the country can
do more to advance this vision. He said the country has built a
strong center, and the King's regionalization initiative will give
more power to the regions to manage human resources.

5. (SBU) Turning to security issues, Amrani noted that AQIM remains
a threat in the Sahel and the Sahara, and that there is the danger
of destabilizing linkages between terrorism and organized crime.
GOM initiatives to combat terrorism include economic development and
social and political reform. Amrani acknowledged Morocco faces
challenging political and security issues, but stressed that it is a
country that knows where it is going as it seeks to "enlarge the
space of freedom" both internally and externally.

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TIP, Women's Rights and Child Labor
-----------------------------------

6. (SBU) Senator Cardin thanked the GOM hosts for the warm
reception and acknowledged the strong partnership between the United
States and Morocco on counterterrorism and for the leading role
Morocco plays in the region in promoting human rights and regional
stability. He expressed concern over trafficking in persons, and he
pressed the Moroccans to ensure that TIP victims are treated with
the respect and dignity they deserve. He urged the GOM to address
the issue of child labor and to protect children from the often
abusive practice of using them as domestic servants.

7. (SBU) MOI Director Tricha addressed the TIP issue, asserting
that GOM statistics show a decrease in illegal flows of people
across Morocco's southern and eastern borders. He said TIP, along
with the drug trade, gives a new economic dimension to terrorism,
which was traditionally linked to poverty but is becoming tied to
these lucrative activities. Amrani called the fight against
trafficking in persons "a GOM priority," and he added that AQIM uses
migration routes to transport drugs, people, and weapons. Amrani
discussed Morocco's initiatives to fight TIP through education and
increased economic opportunities for women.

8. (SBU) Representative Richardson complimented Morocco's efforts
to address women's issues, noting in particular the success of women
candidates in the most recent local elections. Turning to health
concerns, she urged the GOM to ensure that sufficient budget
resources are available to treat breast cancer and other diseases,
especially in rural contexts where the level of care is much lower
than in cities. Amrani replied that progress has been made, but
agreed that more could be done.

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Religious Freedom
-----------------

9. (SBU) Representative Aderholt noted Morocco's history of
religious tolerance and inquired about reports that Moroccan
security services had broken up a meeting of a group of Christians,
detained the Moroccan participants and expelled an American citizen.
Amrani stated that it is part of Moroccan culture to live
side-by-side with Christians, Jews, and others, but that the county
must recognize the danger of extremism and promote tolerant Islam.
Tricha added that people are free to worship but must act in
accordance with Moroccan laws that expressly criminalize
proselytizing. The security services are obliged to react, he said,
when the potential for disruption of public order exists.

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Global Issues
-------------

10. (SBU) Turning to Afghanistan, Senator Wicker stated that the
situation is improving, adding that there are many ways countries
can assist. He asked the GOM to consider providing additional
support. Citing Morocco's status as a major non-NATO ally and its
participation in NATO missions in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo,
Amrani replied that Morocco cooperates on a range of strategic
issues. He characterized GOM counterterrorism efforts as a form of
support to the mission in Afghanistan, and stated that the GOM
continually reviews its relationship with NATO.

11. (SBU) Representative Faleomavaega asked his GOM interlocutors
if the military option was the best approach to the problem. "How
from a Muslim point of view can the Al Qaeda issue be best
addressed?" he inquired. Amrani replied that the issue required a
multi-dimensional approach. The military is important, but
communication and outreach to the people are crucial. Al Qaeda is
using Islam, he said, to advance their goals. They have reached the
Gulf of Guinea, and Morocco is working to stop them, just as
countries in the Persian Gulf and elsewhere must work in their
respective regions. The international community must use all
available legal tools, he said, in fighting Al Qaeda.

12. (SBU) Wrapping up the discussion, Amrani raised briefly the
Western Sahara issue and Middle East peace. He stressed that the
GOM engages in good faith in efforts to find a compromise solution
to the status of the Western Sahara, but he called them a failure.
The issue needs to be resolved, he said, because the region cannot
afford instability. In discussing Middle East peace, he noted the
GOM's concern about the lack of progress and reiterated the need to
advance a two-state solution. In his concluding remarks, Senator
Cardin said the GOM can play a positive role by offering its good
counsel in support of efforts to build confidence between the
Israelis and the Palestinians.

13. (U) CODEL Cardin has cleared this cable.

KAPLAN

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