US embassy cable - 05RABAT2460

S E C R E T RABAT 002460 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
 
DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA, D/S/ITA AND NEA/MAG, CASABLANCA FOR CG, 
CA AND RSO 
 
C O R R E C T E D  C O P Y - CAPTION ADDED 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2025 
TAGS: ASEC, CASC, PTER 
SUBJECT: CORE EAC MEETS TO DISCUSS RECENT ARRESTS OF 
MOROCCAN EXTREMISTS 
 
REF: A. CIA WASHINGTON DC 790324 
 
     B. TD 314/71435-05 
 
Classified By: DCM WAYNE J. BUSH, REASON 1.4 
 
1. (S/NF) On December 5, 2005, Ambassador Riley convened a 
core Emergency Action Committee meeting to discuss the recent 
arrests of 17 Moroccan Islamic extremists by Moroccan 
Security Services. Attending the core EAC were the 
Ambassador, DCM, RSO, SIMO, POL, DAO, CA, MGT, and LEGAT. The 
Core EAC was utilized to enable discussion of information 
available from intelligence channels. 
 
2. (S/NF) Core EAC reviewed reports covering the recent 
arrests of Islamic extremists in Morocco (refer to reftel) 
and discussed Moroccan press reports covering these arrests. 
SIMO advised that while Moroccan press reports have generally 
been accurate in providing names and numbers of suspects 
arrested, there is no evidence to substantiate press reports 
that these extremists intended or had the capacity to carry 
out attacks in Morocco or that they were under the command 
and control of Al-Qaeda, Al-Zarkawi, or any other 
transnational terrorist group. SIMO advised that, at this 
time, there is no evidence that Al-Qaeda has an organized 
structure in Morocco. SIMO stated that the capability of 
terrorist groups or sympathizers in Morocco remains 
unchanged. 
 
3. (S/NF) Core EAC reviewed Moroccan press reports that a 
number of Moroccan political figures received e-mails from a 
group calling itself the "Groupe Morocain Armee pour L,Islam 
et Sharia" threatening them with death for deviating from the 
path of Islam.  Information beyond what appeared in the press 
is not available, nor does the Mission or SIMO have 
additional information about the organization making the 
threat, which was hereto unknown. The significance of these 
e-mail threats remains to be determined. Core EAC noted that, 
at this time, there is no indication that the 
above-referenced group actually exists and/or that it has the 
capability to carry out attacks. 
 
4. (S/NF) SIMO reported that there is no evidence of a 
relationship between the recent arrest of 17 alleged 
extremists and earlier arrests in Tangier.  However, SIMO 
noted information has not been available from Moroccan 
authorities concerning the previous arrest of five alleged 
extremists in Agadir. 
 
5.  (S/NF) The Core EAC discussed Moroccan government view 
that arrested extremists, and possibly others, who had 
volunteered to fight in Iraq could instead turn their 
attention to targets within Morocco, but noted that there was 
no information available that would indicate that any groups 
or individuals had such plans.  Core EAC members noted that 
the fact that returned detainees from Guatanamo had been 
among the group of 17 most recent arrests would suggest that 
Moroccan authorities had not/not kept these individuals under 
surveillance. 
 
6. (S/NF) EAC members noted that while GOM may be reluctant 
to share threat information harmful to Morocco's interest, 
the USG had good visibility into the most recent arrests via 
liasion with intelligence services. 
 
7. (S/NF) The Core EAC members underscored the need to remain 
vigilant and noted that some GOM authorities may be concerned 
that extremists will act on predictions of the Islamic 
Justice and Charity organization head that 2006 would be a 
year in which an Arab monarch would fall.  EAC members noted 
recent visible increases in security practices, including 
police searches at entrances to some shopping centers and 
hotels. 
 
8. (S/NF) The Core EAC concluded on the basis of this review 
that there was not currently a basis to convene a full EAC 
and/or to reconsider current security practices. 
Riley