Cablegate: Demarche: Morocco Support for Unitaid

VZCZCXYZ0040
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHRB #1051 1761249
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 251249Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY RABAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6789
INFO RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA 3158

UNCLAS RABAT 001051

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT. FOR OES/IHB, S/GAC AND IO/EDA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID KHIV PREL TBIO MO
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE: MOROCCO SUPPORT FOR UNITAID

REF: STATE 84277

Sensitive but unclassified -- protect accordingly.

1. (U) Action request, please see paragraph 3.

2. (SBU) On June 22, econoff discussed reftel with Zakia
Midaoui, Director of the MFA's Division of Economic and
Commercial Organizations and Conferences. Midaoui reported
that in March 2006 Morocco and several other African
countries signed a memorandum of understanding pledging
unspecified support for UNITAID. Since then the GOM has
taken little, if any action on this issue. The Ministry of
Transportation (MOT) has been hesitant to institute a tax on
airline tickets to raise funds for UNITAID. Midaoui reported
that the MOT, the Ministry of Finance and Royal Air Maroc
plan to meet in the fall to discuss the issue. She also
noted that UNITAID had suggested a tax on jet fuel in lieu of
a tax on tickets, but was not aware of other options
available to UNITAID signatories to raise funds. Midaoui was
very interested in USG ideas for raising funds to combat AIDS
and asked if Washington could supply her with examples. She
requested to receive these ideas by June 29 in order to
distribute them to other relevant GOM offices prior to the
summer vacation season. Midaoui stated that the GOM "did not
have any ideas" of its own to replace the tax on airline
tickets supported by France.

3. (U) Action request: Post requests the Department send
examples of USG ideas on alternative means of raising funds
for UNITAID. The GOM appears willing to listen to USG
concerns but requests alternative fund raising ideas. Please
send ideas by June 29. Assistance appreciated.

******************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
******************************************

RILEY

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