

Currently released so far... 12553 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
APECO
ASEC
AMGT
AFIN
APER
ACABQ
AORC
AEMR
AF
AE
AR
AGMT
AU
AY
ABLD
AS
AG
AJ
APCS
AX
AM
AMEX
ATRN
ADM
AMED
AFGHANISTAN
AZ
AL
ASUP
AND
ARM
ASEAN
AFFAIRS
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AODE
APEC
ACBAQ
AFSI
AFSN
AO
ABUD
AC
ADPM
ADCO
ASIG
ARF
AUC
ASEX
AGAO
AA
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
AIT
AADP
ASCH
AORL
AROC
ACOA
ANET
AID
AMCHAMS
AINF
AMG
AFU
AN
ALOW
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
ACS
ADANA
AECL
ACAO
AORG
AGR
BEXP
BR
BM
BG
BL
BA
BTIO
BO
BP
BC
BILAT
BK
BU
BD
BRUSSELS
BB
BF
BBSR
BIDEN
BX
BE
BH
BT
BY
BMGT
BWC
BTIU
BN
CA
CASC
CFED
CO
CH
CS
CU
CE
CI
CM
CMGT
CJAN
COM
CG
CIS
CVIS
CR
CKGR
CHR
CVR
COUNTER
CIA
CLINTON
CY
CPAS
CD
CBW
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CDG
CW
CODEL
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
COE
CN
CARICOM
CB
CONDOLEEZZA
CWC
CACS
CSW
CIDA
CIC
CITT
CONS
CL
CACM
CDB
CDC
CAN
CF
CJUS
CTM
CBSA
CARSON
CT
CLMT
CBC
CEUDA
CV
COPUOS
CTR
CROS
CAPC
CAC
CNARC
CICTE
CBE
ECON
ETRD
EIND
ENRG
EC
ELAB
EAGR
EAID
EFIS
EFIN
EINV
EUN
EG
EPET
EAIR
EU
ELTN
EWWT
ECIN
ERD
EI
ETTC
EUR
EN
EZ
ETC
ENVI
EMIN
ET
ENVR
ER
ECPS
EINT
EAP
ES
ENIV
ECONOMY
EXTERNAL
EINN
EFTA
ECONOMIC
EPA
EXBS
ECA
ELN
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENGR
ECUN
ENGY
ECONOMICS
ELECTIONS
EIAR
EINDETRD
EREL
EUC
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
ENERG
EFIM
EAIDS
EK
ETRDECONWTOCS
EINVETC
ECONCS
EUNCH
ESA
ECINECONCS
EUREM
ESENV
EFINECONCS
ETRC
ENNP
EAIG
EXIM
EEPET
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EUMEM
ETRA
ERNG
ETRO
ETRN
EINVEFIN
ICTY
IN
IS
IR
IC
IZ
IA
INTERPOL
IAEA
IT
IMO
IO
IV
ID
IRAQI
IEA
INRB
IL
IWC
ITU
ICAO
ISRAELI
ICRC
IIP
IMF
IBRD
ISLAMISTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
ILO
IPR
IQ
IRS
IAHRC
IZPREL
IRAJ
IDP
ILC
ITF
ICJ
IF
ITPHUM
INMARSAT
ISRAEL
IACI
IBET
ITRA
INR
IRC
IDA
ICTR
IGAD
INRA
INRO
IEFIN
INTELSAT
INTERNAL
INDO
ITPGOV
KWMN
KSCA
KDEM
KTFN
KIPR
KCRM
KPAL
KE
KPAO
KPKO
KS
KN
KISL
KFRD
KJUS
KIRF
KFLO
KG
KTIP
KTER
KRCM
KTIA
KGHG
KIRC
KU
KPRP
KMCA
KMPI
KSEO
KNNP
KZ
KNEI
KCOR
KOMC
KCFC
KSTC
KMDR
KFLU
KSAF
KSEP
KSAC
KR
KGIC
KSUM
KWBG
KCIP
KDRG
KOLY
KAWC
KCHG
KHDP
KRVC
KBIO
KAWK
KGCC
KHLS
KBCT
KPLS
KREL
KCFE
KMFO
KV
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFTFN
KVPR
KTDB
KSPR
KIDE
KVRP
KTEX
KBTR
KTRD
KICC
KCOM
KO
KLIG
KDEMAF
KMRS
KRAD
KOCI
KSTH
KUNR
KNSD
KGIT
KFSC
KHIV
KPAI
KICA
KACT
KHUM
KREC
KSEC
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCMR
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KNAR
KNUC
KPWR
KENV
KWWMN
KWMNCS
KPRV
KOM
KBTS
KCRS
KNPP
KWNM
KRFD
KVIR
KTBT
KAID
KRIM
KDDG
KRGY
KHSA
KWMM
KMOC
KSCI
KPAK
KX
KPAONZ
KCGC
KID
KPOA
KIFR
KFIN
KWAC
KOMS
KCRCM
KNUP
KMIG
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KTLA
KCSY
KJUST
MOPS
MARR
MASS
MNUC
MX
MCAP
MO
MR
MI
MD
MK
MA
MP
MY
MTCRE
MOPPS
MASC
MIL
MTS
MLS
MILI
MAR
MU
MEPN
MAPP
MTCR
MEPI
MZ
MEETINGS
MG
MW
MAS
MT
MCC
MIK
ML
MARAD
MV
MERCOSUR
MTRE
MPOS
MEPP
MILITARY
MDC
MQADHAFI
MUCN
MRCRE
MAPS
MEDIA
MASSMNUC
MC
NZ
NZUS
NL
NU
NATO
NP
NO
NIPP
NE
NH
NR
NA
NPT
NI
NSF
NG
NSG
NAFTA
NC
NDP
NEW
NRR
NATIONAL
NT
NS
NASA
NAR
NV
NORAD
NSSP
NK
NPA
NGO
NSC
NATOPREL
NW
NPG
NSFO
OPDC
OTRA
OIIP
OREP
OVIP
OSCE
OEXC
OIE
OPRC
OAS
OPIC
OTR
OMIG
OSAC
OFFICIALS
OECD
OSCI
OBSP
OFDA
OPCW
ODIP
OFDP
OES
OPAD
OCII
OHUM
OVP
ON
OIC
OCS
PHUM
PREL
PGOV
PINR
PTER
PARM
PREF
PM
PE
PINS
PK
PHSA
PBTS
PRGOV
PA
PORG
PP
PS
PGOF
PL
PO
PARMS
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PAK
POL
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PREFA
PALESTINIAN
PBIO
PINF
PNG
PMIL
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PAO
POLITICS
PHUMBA
PSEPC
PTBS
PCUL
PROP
PNAT
PNR
POLINT
PGOVE
PROG
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PHUMPREL
PGOC
PY
PCI
PLN
PDOV
PREO
PGIV
PHUH
PAS
PU
POGOV
PF
PINL
POV
PAHO
PRL
PG
PRAM
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLICY
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGGV
PHUS
PSA
PHUMPGOV
PEL
PSI
PAIGH
POSTS
PBT
PTERE
RS
RU
RW
RM
RO
RP
REGION
RSP
RF
RICE
RCMP
RFE
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
ROBERT
RUPREL
RELATIONS
ROOD
REACTION
RSO
REPORT
SENV
SNAR
SCUL
SR
SC
SOCI
SMIG
SI
SP
SU
SO
SW
SY
SA
SZ
SAN
SF
SN
STEINBERG
SG
ST
SIPDIS
SNARIZ
SNARN
SSA
SK
SPCVIS
SOFA
SAARC
SL
SEVN
SARS
SIPRS
SHUM
SANC
SWE
SHI
SYR
SNARCS
SPCE
SYRIA
SEN
SH
SCRS
SENVKGHG
TRGY
TSPL
TPHY
TSPA
TBIO
TI
TW
THPY
TX
TU
TS
TZ
TC
TH
TT
TIP
TO
TERRORISM
TRSY
TINT
TN
TURKEY
TBID
TL
TV
TNGD
TD
TF
TP
TFIN
TAGS
TK
TR
UNSC
UK
UNGA
UN
US
UNHRC
UG
UP
UNMIK
UNHCR
UE
USTR
UNVIE
UAE
UZ
UY
UNO
UNESCO
USEU
USOAS
UV
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNEP
UNIDROIT
UNDESCO
UNDP
UNPUOS
UNC
UNAUS
USUN
UNCHC
UNCHR
UNCND
UNICEF
UNCSD
UNDC
USNC
USPS
USAID
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 09RABAT179, MOROCCO HAS CONFIDENCE IN NEW UN WESTERN SAHARA
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #09RABAT179.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
09RABAT179 | 2009-02-27 18:43 | 2011-04-21 22:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Rabat |
VZCZCXRO5352
PP RUEHTRO
DE RUEHRB #0179/01 0581843
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 271843Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY RABAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9754
INFO RUCNMGH/MAGHREB COLLECTIVE
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 2507
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI 0415
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0906
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 RABAT 000179
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/MAG AND IO/UNP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/27/2019
TAGS: PREL PHUM PBTS UNSC AG WI MO
SUBJECT: MOROCCO HAS CONFIDENCE IN NEW UN WESTERN SAHARA
ENVOY, BUT MORE NEEDED AMONG THE PARTIES
REF: A. ALGIERS 0191
¶B. RABAT 0172
RABAT 00000179 001.2 OF 003
Classified By: CDA Robert P. Jackson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
¶1. (C) Summary: The UN Secretary General,s Personal Envoy
Christopher Ross appears to have had a positive visit to
Morocco, February 17-21. At a roundtable hosted by Charge,
Ross outlined a flexible approach, as reported by Algiers
(Ref. A) that seeks to build confidence between Morocco and
the Polisario, before a fifth round in Manhasset, so that
another failure did not undermine the credibility of the
process. Local &friends8 diplomats doubted there could be
much movement before the Algerian election, but this would be
a good time to prepare. Partly through his linguistic
facility and experience, Ross seems to have already some
hearts and minds among the Moroccans, and he may have already
won more confidence from the King than ever enjoyed by his
predecessor. During a farewell outbrief on February 26, UN
Mission for a Referendum in Western Sahara head Julian
Harston told Charge and other P-5 Chiefs of Mission that the
current confidence-building measures are not building
confidence among negotiators, that Algeria does not appear
ready for a summit with Morocco, and that Moroccan respect
for human rights in the territory appears to have declined in
the last few weeks, an impression that we share. End
Summary.
¶2. (SBU) Charge hosted a roundtable of diplomats/experts for
the UN Secretary-General,s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara
Amb. Christopher Ross on February 19. The participants
included UK Ambassador Tim Morris, Spanish DCM Alfonso
Portabales, French PolCouns Frederic Clavier, Charge, A/DCM
Millard and PolCouns. With Ross were UN Staffers Denise
O,Brien (DPA) and Mikkel Brohold (DPKO) and UN Resident
Representative Mourad Wahba.
¶3. (C) Ross opened by noting the warm welcome he had
received since his arrival. Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi
had hosted a dinner for him with all the heads of the major
parties and several ministers. He also had met with Foreign
Minister Taieb Fassi Fihri along with Director General for
Studies and Documentation (DGED) (external intelligence
chief) M. Yassine Mansouri and separately with Interior
Minister Chakib Benmoussa. He felt he had to overcome some
Moroccan suspicion over his long years in Algeria.
------------------------
Need for more confidence
------------------------
¶4. (C) Ross said the long wait for &confirmation8 had
given him time to reflect. The Moroccans talk of
consolidating past progress, but this seemed to refer just to
certain key words, like realism. In fact, the four Manhasset
rounds had produced no real progress. Another unproductive
round could risk undermining the credibility of the process.
He was suggesting a small, quiet meeting directly between
Morocco and the Polisario, perhaps in Spain, to begin to
discuss issues. He would not go to Mauritania because of the
coup but had justified this to Nouakchott on logistical
grounds.
¶5. (C) Ross added that he was also interested in enlarging
the scope of Confidence Building Measures (CBMs). The
existing UNHCR family exchange program was successful, but
there needed to be more political confidence. He thought
Morocco should renew the direct contacts with the Polisario
in Rabat that took place many years ago under King Hassan II.
One of the problems with the negotiations is that while the
Polisario folks are the same, the Moroccan negotiators have
changed; they no longer know each other. He had also
suggested that Morocco either keep CORCAS head Kalihenna Ould
er Rachid out of the talks or at least muzzle him. Polisario
representatives maintained Kalihenna,s role in the talks had
been a provocation. Ross said he underscored to Fassi Fihri
that, like it or not, Morocco had to remember that the other
party in the talks was the Polisario. The goal must be to
attract them to a political solution. There were many types
of autonomy, including that of Iraqi Kuridstan. He solicited
ideas for additional CBMs.
¶6. (C) Ross said his meeting with Interior Minister
Benmoussa was upbeat. Benmoussa had briefed on Morocco,s
broader regionalization and decentralization plans, for which
Sahara autonomy was just the leading edge. He urged Ross to
convey that the autonomy offer is sincere, not just words.
RABAT 00000179 002.2 OF 003
¶7. (C) Ross said that in addition to working the Sahara
issue, UNSYG Ban Ki Moon had charged him with attempting to
improve relations between Morocco and Algeria. He planned to
propose to Algeria a reinforcement of existing cooperation on
security matters as well as working on other peripheral
issues. He believed it was premature even to address the
closure of the border. While human rights issues were
important, they were not part of his mandate. He personally
thought it was not sensible to include human rights in the
MINURSO mandate, but perhaps there were other UN agencies
that could take on the issue. Any approach would have to
address conditions on both sides.
----------------------
Diplomats, Assessments
----------------------
¶8. (C) French Political Counselor Frederic Clavier said the
situation was asymmetric between Morocco and the Polisario
and the key was Algeria. In his view, the Moroccan public is
heavily engaged, and a major setback on Western Sahara could
hurt the country,s stability. In Algeria, however, the
issue was between Bouteflika and the generals, not the
public. Clavier thought France could not accept any
independent state that would not be able to secure its
territory. He thought 2009 would be a year of transition due
to the Algerian elections, and he anticipated no movement
before 2010. He feared that Algeria would try to move
discussions back to UNSCR resolution 1754 rather than the
current 1813, with its focus on a political solution.
¶9. (C) British Ambassador Timothy Morris said Western Sahara
was a concern for HMG, which is focused on iron-clad support
for the SYG and only a cool approach to the autonomy
proposal. UK interest is focused on the security question,
and HMG was looking at ways to bring the GOM and Algeria
together on this, as part of a broader Sahara/Sahel strategy.
¶10. (C) Spanish DCM Alphonso Portabales said the visit of
the Spanish (de facto) Deputy Foreign Minister underscored
Western Sahara,s importance to Spain both as a security and
political issue. Spain would be happy to support additional
CBMs and host informal contacts, track two events or indirect
CBM events. He noted a possible example could be the
multiple varieties of autonomy exercised by the Spanish
regions, including exercise of foreign relations and
assistance. He noted some subtle progress on the diplomatic
front. A flight from Rabat to Tindouf, as Ross would make on
his Spanish-provided aircraft, would not have been possible
two years before. He believed that the human rights issue
was important, but Spanish information suggested conditions
in Tindouf were no better than in the Western Sahara.
¶11. (C) Charge appreciated Ross,s briefing and noted that
the new U.S. administration had not refined its views on this
issue but that USG support for the Secretary General,s
efforts to find a political solution would continue. It was
important to consider views of the Sahrawis in the territory,
not just those he would see in Tindouf. He urged Ross to
visit the territory and meet, not only MINURSO, but a wide
selection of the Sahrawi political spectrum. Moreover, the
Charge indicated that we believe the Moroccans could now
improve their own position by creating more political space
in the Western Sahara for organizations whose members were
known Polisario sympathizers, and it would be useful for Ross
to encourage the GOM. PolCouns added that a recent EU
parliamentary delegation had been able to meet publicly with
some of those dissidents, a small but important opening that
could be expanded. This also could give the Personal Envoy a
better measure of the extent of self-government the Sahrawis
themselves desire.
¶12. (C) Ross got his bottom line from Morocco only on the
following day when he met King Mohammed VI, as reported from
Algiers (Ref A). Press coverage of the visit and his overall
tour was largely upbeat. Ross met the Prime Minister in a
traditional Moroccan jelleba and wore a Fassi shawl when
meeting the King, eliciting a smile in the official photo.
These touches, along with his use of Arabic in meetings and
with the press were highly praised.
¶13. (C) In subsequent briefings for the Parliament and also
with the press, a range of senior government officials
praised Ross and underscored GOM determination to pursue the
negotiations with Algeria and the Polisario.
RABAT 00000179 003.2 OF 003
------------------
Harston,s Farewell
------------------
¶14. (C) On February 26, Ambassador Morris hosted a farewell
coffee for P-5 Chiefs of Mission plus Spain with UN Special
Representative for Western Sahara and MINURSO head Julian
Harston, who is returning to Belgrade. Harston described his
farewell calls on the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and
Interior as upbeat, and he said he felt that he was leaving
MINURSO in better shape than he had inherited it two years
ago. He declared that he has recommended that the UN reduce
the size of the military contingent, given the fact that
there are probably only 500 Polisario fighters on the eastern
side of the berm in contrast with the 10,000 to 15,000 the
Polisario claimed to have under arms. He noted that Morocco
still maintains 60,000 to 80,000 troops in the territory.
¶15. (C) The Russian Ambassador asked if MINURSO,s name
should be changed since a referendum appears unlikely, and
Harston responded that he thought that would be more trouble
than it was worth and that to his knowledge UN peacekeeping
operations never changed names -) even if the mission
changed. Harston opined that Algeria holds the key to a
settlement. A summit followed by meetings of experts could
be a good format, but Algeria is not ready for a summit.
Harston also said that the CBMs are useful for the Sahrawis,
but they are not building confidence among the negotiators
and, thus, are not advancing peace. As for human rights,
Harston felt that respect has declined since the change of
Walis in January. Finally, he said he believed that an
independent Western Sahara is unrealistic because the
territory has no real economy, and the limited fishing and
tourism along with fruit and phosphate production offer
little for a viable state.
¶16. (C) Comment: Harston is leaving on better terms with
the GOM than he enjoyed during his tenure. Ross,s
linguistic skills and cultural sensitivity appear to have
helped win the hearts and minds of the Moroccans, and
overcome their residual suspicions-based on his spending far
more time in Algeria than here. Both in senior officials,
public pronouncements and the Foreign Minister,s private
comments to Charge, the Moroccans seem to be giving a bit
more acknowledgment to a role for the Polisario than in the
recent past. That subtle shift, along with the message from
the King (reported reftels) suggests that Ross is already
having an impact, at least from the Moroccan perspective. He
does seem to have won more confidence from King Mohammed VI
than was ever enjoyed by his predecessor, Peter Van Walsum.
The UNSYG seems to have done well in choosing a regional
specialist for this role. We hope that he will do as well in
choosing Harston,s replacement. End comment.
¶17. (U) Tripoli minimize considered.
*****************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
*****************************************
Jackson