US embassy cable - 05RABAT2295

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 05 RABAT 002295 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR NEA/MAG, R AND P 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/30/2010 
TAGS: MO, PREL, KDEM, KPAO, EAID, PHUM, KMPI 
SUBJECT: MOROCCO: COMBATTING EXTREMISM 
 
REF: STATE 159129 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Thomas T. Riley for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1. (C) Summary:  Combatting extremism is not a new priority 
in Morocco, but it has taken on new urgency in the aftermath 
of the suicide bombings on May 16, 2003 in Casablanca and the 
March 11, 2004 subway attacks in Madrid, acts of 
international terrorism in which Moroccans -- whether sons of 
the soil or emigrants -- were apparently involved.  As 
commander of the faithful, as well as head of state, King 
Mohammed is the pivotal figure in the Moroccan battle against 
extremism, and in our view he is likely to continue to 
provide strong leadership in promoting democratic reforms 
which open the political space and dilute the appeal of 
extremism.  GOM efforts to combat extremism focus on 
eliminating the economic conditions that foster exclusion and 
despair while also seeking to enhance law enforcement, 
bolster human rights practices and promote religious 
tolerance.  USG efforts seek to strengthen Moroccan law 
enforcement capacity and build international law enforcement 
cooperation, create economic opportunities for youth, promote 
reform, and foster interreligious dialogue.  Both countries 
must sustain their efforts in the long-run if extremism is to 
be effectively countered in Morocco.  End summary. 
 
Extremism in Morocco 
- - - - - - - - - - - 
2. (C) The struggle against extremism in Morocco took on new 
urgency following the 2003 Casablanca suicide bombings. 
Since then, Morocco has achieved a number of important 
successes in stopping terrorist acts from taking place. 
Despite these successes, however, both the GOM and the 
mission remain concerned about the activity of terrorist 
groups such as cells under the inspiration of the Salafiya 
Jihadiya.  Some Islamists, including Justice and Charity 
organization members, charge that the Moroccan government 
policy of attracting Wahhabists to Morocco during the 1980s 
as a counterweight to the Moroccan left has fostered a more 
extremist atmosphere, which the GOM is now forced to 
confront. 
 
3. (SBU) Within this context, poverty and the absence of 
economic opportunity for a young society fuel discontent, 
illegal emigration and the risk of instability.  Migration of 
the rural poor to urban centers has created a pool of 
disaffected citizens who have few productive outlets and are 
vulnerable to the extremist message.  The education system is 
largely unresponsive to the skills needed in the economy and 
does not equip youth with the knowledge necessary for full, 
productive and participatory citizenship. 
 
USG Efforts to Combat Extremism 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
4. (C) The mission believes that an approach of attacking 
root causes -- particularly lack of hope among urban youth 
brought on by joblessness -- is essential to a long-term 
strategy of fighting extremism in Morocco.  While the GOM 
recognizes the need for action, its resources are limited. 
Thus our assistance efforts, buttressed by those from 
European allies, are key components of winning the war on 
extremism in Morocco. 
 
USAID Activities: Promoting Opportunities for Youth 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
5. (SBU) The USAID strategy was put in place to address the 
challenges and adverse impacts of the Free Trade Agreement 
(FTA) and to help Moroccans seize the opportunities presented 
by the agreement.  By their very nature, most USAID 
activities in Morocco help counter extremism by providing 
youth with hope for the future through education, jobs, and 
opportunities for democratic participation.  USAID's recently 
launched five-year assistance strategy, in addition to 
supporting the FTA, seeks to address root causes of extremism 
by focusing on economic growth (including job creation and 
business development), education (with a focus on the quality 
of basic education and training for jobs), and democracy and 
governance (improved government responsiveness to citizen's 
needs). 
 
6. (SBU) Economic Growth Activities:  To address the 
widespread unemployment among Moroccan youth, one of the 
 
RABAT 00002295  002 OF 005 
 
 
chief economic factors behind extremism, USAID seeks to 
improve training opportunities for Moroccan youth and 
increase their access to quality and relevant basic 
education.  By improving the quality of the workforce and the 
relevance of workers' skills to the changing demands of 
business, USAID programs will also address the issue of 
extensive rural-to-urban migration.  Economic growth will 
help increase job opportunities in both the rural and urban 
sectors, and reduce the rural exodus.  Reflecting the 
Moroccan perspective, GOM Palace Advisor for Religious 
Affairs Jirari has emphasized to us that creating jobs for 
youth is the real key to curing Morocco's extremist issues. 
 
7. (SBU) Education/Vocational Training Activities:  By 
increasing women's literacy and girls' enrollment in schools 
and linking the quality and relevance of education with 
vocational training, USAID's programs will reinforce critical 
thinking skills and other related skills amongst youth, 
ultimately making them more competitive for the job market, 
especially in areas of opportunity brought about by the FTA 
(e.g., agriculture).  These programs also serve to combat 
unemployment and underemployment. 
 
8. (SBU) Democracy/Governance Activities:  USAID DG 
activities seek to improve the efficiency of democratic 
institutions, including Parliament, and to develop government 
structures more responsive to citizens' concerns.  Other DG 
activities will improve women's knowledge of their rights, 
ultimately enhancing their capacity to confront extremist 
views, and providing those dissatisified with conditions in 
Morocco an avenue to affect peaceful change. 
 
9. (SBU) Civil Society and Youth:  USAID will soon launch 
civil society and youth assessments to determine the best 
means for working with the growing NGO and burgeoning youth 
populations in Morocco.  Local civil society organizations 
can be powerful agents in defusing extremism, and many are 
eager for greater contact with and support from the US. 
Programs for disenfranchised youth can bring hope as well as 
serve as an antidote to despair.  Currently, USAID does not 
have funds budgeted for either a civil society or a youth 
program, but is putting in place designs in the event funding 
becomes available for these programs which are directly 
related to fighting the root causes of extremism. 
 
Public Affairs Activities Target Youth, Islamists 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
10. (SBU) Enhancing cultural and religious exchange and 
dialogue is an important means for combatting extremist 
ideologies.  PAS programming has focused on engaging youth, 
particularly from depressed areas, and Islamist experts and 
scholars, and in promoting English-language training. 
 
11. (SBU) Speaker Programs:  Through its speaker program, PAS 
has invited American imams (most recently Bashar Arafat of 
Baltimore in early 2005), for discussions with students and 
scholars on religion and religious extremism.  In 2004, the 
mission sponsored Imam Yahya Hendi, Muslim Chaplain at 
Georgetown University.  Both of these visits allowed the 
Mission to reach a different type of audience of religious 
leaders, officials at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, 
theology students and experts, as well as the general public, 
with the subsidiary effect of demonstrating US support for 
religious tolerance and respect for Islam. 
 
12. (SBU) English ACCESS Scholarship Program:  Created in 
response to the May 2003 terrorist bombings in Casablanca, 
this initiative for underprivileged youth in Muslim 
communities provides English language classes to at-risk 
youth otherwise unable to afford them.  Ninety-six male and 
female students took the classes in Casablanca in 2005 and 
the number will increase to nearly 600 Morocco-wide by the 
end of October.  Embassy also sponsored 103 youth to attend 
two-week English-language summer camps taught by Peace Corps 
volunteers. 
 
13. (SBU) International Visitor Programs:  Four experts in 
Islam recently participated in an International Visitor 
Program entitled "Promoting Religious Dialogue."  Two of 
these participants are TV journalists who produce religious 
programs, and one is a member of the Supreme Council of 
Oulemas.  A university professor participated in a program on 
 
RABAT 00002295  003 OF 005 
 
 
U.S. foreign policy and combating terrorism.  Another 
university professor participated in a program on religion in 
the U.S., Islam, and the inter-faith dialogue.  At an iftar 
hosted by the Ambassador in October 2005, the IVLP 
participants raved about their experience in the "Islamic" 
U.S. (noting that the U.S. adheres to the "Islamic values" of 
tolerance, the importance of family, and piety very closely). 
 
 
14. (SBU) Four student leaders who are active in their 
community promoting civic education and tolerance (and all 
from underprivileged backgrounds) participated in an IVLP on 
how young leaders can bring social change and promote civic 
responsibility.  As the IVL program generally highlights the 
tolerant and multi-ethnic nature of American society, it is 
fair to say that all of the 46 IV grantees sent in fiscal 
year 2005 were able to observe first-hand Islam in America. 
Through the IEARN student exchange, four American and four 
Moroccan high school students participated in an exchange in 
each other's country.  MEPI sponsored a study program of the 
U.S. for three university student leaders and one high school 
student from underprivileged backgrounds. 
 
15. (SBU) Cultural Events:  During the month of Ramadan, the 
Ambassador hosted iftars for Islamic experts and youth, both 
warmly welcomed and widely covered in the local press.  These 
simple, yet effective events resounded with both the 
participants and in the press as a gesture towards enhanced 
cross-cultural dialogue and understanding.  A number of other 
mission-sponsored cultural programs and activities targeting 
Moroccan youth were held throughout the year, most notably a 
pioneering three-city Hip Hop Festival in May. 
 
Economic Opportunities Focus on Job Creation 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
16. (SBU) Morocco has ratified a Free Trade Agreement with 
the U.S., which is establishing an open market and removing 
trade barriers while improving the business climate and 
bolstering adherence to labor codes.  Investment attracted to 
Morocco as a result of the FTA will ultimately create 
employment for Moroccans. Increased market access, including 
generous textile market access provisions, will also allow 
for employment creation. Through MEPI, the USG has invested 
over 10 million dollars to assist with implementation of the 
FTA.  In 2004, Morocco qualified for the Millennium Challenge 
Account development program based on its progress in 
governing justly, investing in its citizens and ensuring 
economic freedom.  Morocco's MCA compact could be worth more 
than one-half billion dollars.  MCA will help finance the 
rural development portions of King Mohammed VI's USD 2.2 
billion Human Development Initiative.  Morocco's MCA compact 
will include income generating activities for rural dwellers, 
slowing the migration to urban slums that are the incubators 
for extremism. The USG is currently in the final stages of 
negotiating a Bilateral Science and Technology Agreement that 
will promote academic exchanges, joint research and 
educational opportunities in the sciences. 
 
Security Programs Emphasize Community Policing, Engaging Youth 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
- 
17. (SBU) Another USG initiative is the community policing 
program funded by INL.  The idea of introducing a community 
policing program evolved after the Casablanca bombings as the 
suicide bombers had been recruited from the poorer 
neighborhoods of Casablanca.  The investigation into the 
bombing identified the mistrust among the poor with the 
Moroccan security authorities.  This  ultimately resulted in 
little information coming to the attention of authorities 
when extremists were preaching radical Islam and recruiting 
the would-be suicide bombers. In an effort to counteract this 
deficiency, Moroccan police became interested in creating a 
more favorable image of police in the poorer areas of 
Moroccan cities.  They have begun their own concept of 
community policing (police proximite) and have expressed 
interest in complementing that program with a U.S. style 
community policing strategy.  Senior Moroccan officials have 
traveled to the U.S. and been exposed to U.S. community 
policing methodology.  ICITAP/DOJ (funded by State INL, 
$500,000) recently visited Morocco to discuss various 
programs and a result, we expect to introduce concepts such 
as developing youth sports leagues organized by police, and 
 
RABAT 00002295  004 OF 005 
 
 
bicycle patrols, as well as utilizing NGO,s and Community 
leaders to help establish a law enforcement apparatus on a 
foundation of human rights and human dignity.  The GOM has 
also created a police magazine, now found on newsstands, 
which promotes a positive image of the police force. 
 
GOM Efforts to Combat Extremism Focus on Development, Human 
Rights, Religious Tolerance 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - 
18. (C) Since the Casablanca bombings, the GOM has undertaken 
numerous reforms seeking to address the root causes of 
extremism, most recently announcing a major development 
program to address the issues of housing, unemployment and 
education (the National Human Development Initiative).  In 
the meantime, efforts to improve the general state of human 
rights and to promulgate a more tolerant religious message 
are having an impact.  All of these efforts form an important 
part of King Mohammed's vision for countering susceptibility 
to extremist ideology, particularly amongst Morocco's poor. 
 
19. (C) Immediately following the bombings, the GOM arrested 
several thousand people, prosecuted approximately 1200 and 
has sentenced about 900 for various terrorism-related crimes. 
 The Minister of Justice announced that these arrests 
represent approximately 90 percent of those sought by the 
GOM.  In response to the bombings, Morocco also passed 
tougher anti-terrorism laws which have resulted in an 
increase in the number of arrests and convictions for 
terrorist-related activities.  In addition to its close 
cooperation with the U.S., the GOM has significantly 
increased international law enforcement cooperation with such 
countries as Spain, Italy and France. 
 
20. (SBU) Human Rights:  Under King Mohammed, the GOM has 
made important strides in several areas.  Morocco's Equity 
and Reconciliation Commission made progress in 2004 airing 
the history of disappearances and arbitrary arrest during the 
period lasting from the early 1970s until the mid 1990s.  The 
GOM began implementing landmark reforms to the family code, 
aimed at strengthening the legal rights of women and 
children.  In December 2004, the GOM and the USG co-hosted 
the first Forum for the Future that brought together 
ministers from BMENA nations with their G-8 counterparts to 
discuss democratic, economic, and social reforms in the 
region.  Civil society and human rights representatives 
participated in this event.  Morocco hosted the follow-on 
Democracy Assistance Dialogue in Rabat in October 2005 and 
fielded a strong delegation of NGOs, political parties, and 
government representatives. 
 
21. (SBU) Religious Affairs:  King Mohammed's sweeping 
reforms to the religious sector, as announced in April 2004, 
are intended to have a broad effect on society by promoting a 
more moderate and peaceful Islam and ultimately push 
extremism to the margins.  As a result, the Ministry of 
Endowments and Islamic Affairs (MOIA) launched an aggressive 
program to counter extremist ideology within the madrasas and 
the mosques.  The reorganization of the Ministry into a 
"traditional education" section and a "mosque division" is 
intended to give the government greater oversight over 
Islamic teaching and preaching throughout the country. 
Traditional education is responsible for modernizing Islamic 
education, safeguarding the Koranic school system from misuse 
and fostering open attitudes towards other cultures.  The 
mosque division is responsible for ensuring that mosques are 
managed and financed in a transparent manner. 
 
22. (SBU) A rigorous 12-month training program launched in 
April 2005 for 160 imams and 60 female advisors will ensure 
that well-rounded imams are educated to serve in Morocco's 
mosques.  These new trainees will ultimately replace retiring 
imams throughout the country.  The Ministry also initiated 
brief "refresher" sessions for preachers already in the field 
in an attempt to shape mentalities of the older generation. 
The Ministry has also organized training sessions for other 
religious workers in order to unify curriculum and provide 
training on the "modern era." To improve working conditions 
for imams, the Ministry recently announced a 30 percent 
salary increase (from approximately USD 800 annually to USD 
1200 annually). 
 
 
RABAT 00002295  005 OF 005 
 
 
23. (SBU) Spreading a message of tolerance and openness, the 
MOIA launched "Radio Quran," currently broadcast throughout 
Morocco, and continues to work on a website to which citizens 
can turn with questions on Islamic affairs.  A telephonic 
"hotline" currently exists to handle religious inquiries. 
Established in 2004, the Ulema (religious scholar) Council 
and regional councils are intended to, among other tasks, 
receive complaints concerning rogue imams as well as 
coordinate on fatwas and religious teachings.  At the same 
time, seventy MOIA delegates have been sent to various 
regions to "represent" the Ministry in religious matters. 
The series of annual Ramadan lectures sponsored by the King 
were originally established to reinforce the distinct, 
tolerant brand of Moroccan Islam (in 2004 a woman gave a 
Ramadan lecture for the first time).  A draft law would give 
the Ministry increased control over the construction and 
financing of mosques in an attempt to get a better reign over 
renegade preachers and their sources of funding.  Several 
Moroccan TV stations, including a new Koranic TV channel, can 
now be seen internationally via satellite. 
 
24. (SBU) In addition to specific MOIA programs, Morocco has 
cultivated a tolerant religious atmosphere for all faiths. 
Last year, the city of Marrakech hosted a Christian rock 
concert, featuring seven international bands, attended by an 
estimated 100,000 Moroccans over a three-day period.  In 
2004, Morocco also hosted the first working meeting of the 
Permanent Judeo-Muslim Committee to promote interfaith 
dialogue, despite concerns of extremist reactions. 
 
What Works? 
- - - - - - 
25. (C) Our efforts to combat extremist thought in Morocco 
must necessarily be long-term and sustained if they are to be 
successful.  The programs currently undertaken by post strive 
to address the root causes of extremism by providing hope to 
disenfranchised, unemployed youth, by encouraging 
inter-religious dialogue, and by encouraging GOM 
responsiveness (whether by police or elected officials) to 
the citizenry.  The Moroccan leadership understands the 
stakes and is also doing its utmost to combat extremism, but 
continued political and financial support from Europe and the 
US will be essential to winning the battle long-term. 
RILEY