meeting July 25, 2006 minutes

On July 25, 2006, a meeting of the Morocco OSAC country council was held at the Hyatt hotel in Casablanca. In attendance were Rick Ortiz, Senior Commercial Officer, US Consulate General Casablanca; Jim Dolan, TDY RSO, US Embassy Rabat; and several representative of the U.S. private sector.

After introductions, temporary duty RSO Dolan advised the group of the imminent changes in personnel staffing among the American RSO staff. The new embassy Rabat RSO George Frederick and assistant RSO Ted Holmes will both arrive in early August while the vacant RSO position in the Casablanca consulate will be filled the end of August by Yvon Guillaume.

This was followed by an update of the threat situation in Morocco and it was stated that the RSO office was not currently aware of any specific threats to any particular American firm nor to businesses in general.

RSO discussed crime threat levels in Rabat and Casablanca and mentioned a few reported incidents involving official Americans that have occurred recently. These were attempts to rob individuals that did not involve violence or intimidation, but rather distraction techniques. OSAC members related four recent robbery incidents of their personnel in Casablanca in which the perpetrators brandished a knife. Three of the occasions occurred in broad daylight. The group was told that last year the State Department lowered the threat rating for criminal activity from High to Medium for Rabat, but maintained it for High for Casablanca. RSO commented that perhaps these incidents are an endorsement for maintaining the Casablanca High level.

The subject of residential security was raised and RSO observed that in the last four years, there have apparently been only two failed break-in attempts at official residences in Rabat. RSO attributed this to the embassy's residential security guidelines that include alarms and roving patrols. The few OSAC members stated that break-ins have not been a problem for their personnel despite the lack of security systems. This may be explained by the fact that unlike in Rabat many of their personnel reside in apartments that are above the first floor making entry from the ground more difficult.

Discussion moved to future OSAC activity and it was generally agreed that; 

- Once the incoming RSO staff had some time to acclimate themselves to Morocco and their assignments, it would be worthwhile that a larger more comprehensive OSAC meeting be held. A tentative time frame was identified as the second half of October after Ramadan. 

- Members of the OSAC council will seek to identify a replacement to fill the vacant OSAC chairman. RSO asked that they seek someone who is interested and able to devote some time especially for the organizing of future meetings. It was also requested that the person's name be forwarded to the RSO and Commercial officers. 

- Regarding the targeted October meeting, RSO would look to obtain a guest speaker from OSAC in Washington DC who could address the council on a security topic of mutual interest. RSO mentioned that computer security might be a possible topic.

Senior Commercial Officer Rick Ortiz asked the group if they were receiving Warden messages. One of the members was on the warden list, however the others reported that normally only one person in the company is on the list and if that person is away from the office, they may not get the messages. They asked for guidance on getting additional backup security personnel on the Warden list (SCO Ortiz sent guidance attendees on 7/25 concerning registering on-line to be added to the Warden list).

AmCham Executive Director agreed to add a summary of the OSAC meeting to the AmCham website as a way of regenerating interest in participating in OSAC in the future.

RSO provided his office and contact numbers to the group and stated he was available to discuss any particular security concerns of OSAC members. Dolan said he would brief the incoming RSO Frederick on this meeting and future OSAC plans. The meeting was adjourned with the promise to keep in contact.