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DE RUEHCL #0085/01 1171311
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 271311Z APR 07
FM AMCONSUL CASABLANCA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7698
INFO RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS 2892
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 0783
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0277
RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 3729
RUEHNK/AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT 2256
RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT 7962
RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS 2019
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0554

C O N F I D E N T I A L CASABLANCA 000085 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/MAG, INR/NESA/NAP 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/27/2017 
TAGS: MO PGOV PINR PREL
SUBJECT: Varied Reactions to Bombings in Casablanca 
 
REF: A) CASABLANCA 000079 
 
     B) CASABLANCA 000064 
 C) 06 CASABLANCA 000409 
 
Classified By: Principal Officer Douglas C. Greene for Reasons 1.4 
(b), (d). 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary: Nearly six weeks after the first in a series of 
suicide bombings that shook Casablanca, residents of the city are 
still grasping for explanations.  Finding themselves at a loss for 
answers, many citizens are reacting to the recent explosions at the 
U.S. Consulate and privately-run American Language Center with either 
detachment or concern.  In any case, security in the city, both 
official and private, has increased markedly, and many Moroccans, 
somewhat uncharacteristically, are more willing to take an active 
role in helping authorities to find terrorists.  End Summary. 
 
-------------------------- 
Just a Bunch of Crazy Guys 
-------------------------- 
 
¶2. (U) The series of suicide bombings that took place in Casablanca 
on March 11, April 10, and April 14 have left residents wondering how 
to come to terms with the terrorism in their midst.  One reaction is 
nonchalance.  When asked for his perspective a few days after two 
explosions occurred near the U.S. Consulate and the privately-run 
American Language Center, a salesman at a sporting goods store 
remarked, "It's nothing."  He went on to explain that the 
perpetrators of these attacks are not true Moroccans or Muslims, and 
can be dismissed as part of an anomalous, marginal group without 
larger ill intentions.  A Moroccan woman who lives one block from the 
Consulate expressed the same sentiment, saying she thinks the 
bombings are "not a big deal" and the bombers are "just a bunch of 
crazy guys."  These same responses were repeated time and again by 
other Moroccans asked similar questions. 
 
¶3. (U) Others try to downplay recent events by underscoring reports 
that no link has been found between Morocco's recent suicide bombers 
and Al Qaeda or, more specifically, the Al Qaeda in the Maghreb group 
that claimed responsibility for the April 11 bomb attack in 
neighboring Algiers.  According to this line of thinking, Morocco's 
terrorists are amateurs who use rudimentary explosives and have 
deliberately avoided killing large numbers of people.  (To date, six 
suicide bombers and one policeman have died from the explosions and 
one bomber was shot by police before he had the opportunity to 
detonate the device he was wearing). 
 
¶4. (U) Some Moroccans buy into media reports that the police have 
captured the terrorists involved, preempting any further attacks.  A 
guard at Dar America said police had done a stellar job and had the 
situation "wrapped up."  He optimistically projected that the U.S. 
Consulate and Dar America staff would return to work a week following 
the latest attacks as a result.  Even Interior Minister Chakib 
Benmoussa, who has been publicly frank about the on-going terrorist 
threat, said recently that the two terrorist groups behind the spate 
of bombings have been "totally dismantled."  While such comments 
encourage a sense of calm, they also promote denial of terrorism's 
potential scope in Morocco. 
 
------------------------- 
Or, a Reason to be Scared 
------------------------- 
 
¶5. (U) At the same time that some find ways to rationalize recent 
suicide bombings in Casablanca, others are fearful and refuse to 
dismiss terrorist activity as a passing phase. Some Casablancans 
express newfound fears and admit to altering patterns in their 
everyday life due to the possibility of additional attacks. 
Consequently, merchants in the tony shopping district of Maarif, not 
far from the site of the most recent bombings, have noted a 
considerable drop in business. Caf owners and taxi drivers agree, 
noting that business, especially in the evening, has decreased 
significantly.  "People are going home earlier," one cab driver 
reported, "because there just seems to be more aggression on the 
street."  Not only small businesses are suffering.  According to one 
well-connected, international businessman, his Casablanca colleagues 
report a decrease in overall business of up to forty-five percent. 
On a positive note, however, he said they expect things to bounce 
back quickly if there are no additional attacks in the area. 
 
¶6. (SBU) While some have hopes of a quick rebound to normalcy, others 
are proceeding cautiously. Casablanca's three American schools have 
instituted strict new security measures and cut numerous activities 
and events.  They are not the only schools to react with concern. 
One Moroccan contact reported that the events in Casablanca have 
reached far beyond the city itself.  The bombings, he claimed, made 
him consider closing the small American school he recently 
established in Agadir.  "At first, I just thought it was too 
dangerous for the American teachers working there," he said.  "Then, 
I realized that what we teach here-the American ideals of democracy 
and tolerance-is too important to give up, even now."  He added, 
however, that he is still nervous about the school and fearful for 
his family members in Casablanca. 
 
--------------------- 
Suspicion and Concern 
--------------------- 
 
¶7. (SBU) Until the April 14 attacks, the bombings in Casablanca were 
confined to non-elite neighborhoods in the city, leaving those living 
in wealthier areas feeling somewhat secure.  That situation has now 
changed.  It is no longer simply those who live in low-income areas 
who move about with apprehension and keep a close eye on their 
neighbors.  Anyone carrying a parcel on a bus or in a crowded taxi is 
under suspicion. 
 
¶8. (SBU) Culturally, Moroccans rarely insert themselves in events 
outside their personal sphere.  This cultural norm seems to have 
changed in light of events beginning March 11.  Since that time, we 
have heard numerous reports from Moroccans about bearded strangers 
entering cafes, only to have regular patrons question the owner about 
his familiarity with the person.  Some are even suspicious of those 
they do know.  One pharmacist chuckled as she recounted the story of 
a clinic security guard who patted down a familiar local guard 
because he was "acting spacey" and wearing a bulky sweater that could 
have been hiding explosives. 
 
------------------ 
Security Situation 
------------------ 
 
¶9. (U) On the streets of Casablanca, private security guards can be 
found posted outside nearly every restaurant, shop, and bar.  For 
many of these establishments, this measure is new.  For others, it is 
a practice resurrected from the May 16, 2003 attacks.  Other 
businesses with security measures in place before the bombings have 
stepped up their vigilance in recent days.  Some businesses check 
bags, have guard dogs, and/or restrict access by blocking multiple 
entrances, forcing clients to file through a single door.  McDonald's 
restaurants throughout Casablanca have added car checks at parking 
lot entrances. 
 
¶10. (SBU) The Ministry of the Interior (MOI) has also stepped up 
security measures throughout the city.  The MOI force auxiliaire, an 
unarmed security force trained for riot and crowd control, is now 
deployed on the major streets and boulevards of Casablanca to 
reinforce the police presence.  In addition, this week the MOI 
announced that Casablanca's police force will be immediately 
increased by 2000 officers, with another 2700 to be hired and trained 
this summer. 
 
¶11. (SBU) Comment: Casablancans are receiving mixed messages about 
the threat of terrorism in Morocco.  On the one hand, they are being 
told that arrests have been made, the situation is under control, and 
life should return to normal.  On the other hand, the government 
remains on high alert and continues to hunt for terrorists throughout 
the country.  People remain suspicious and on edge, fearful of what 
may lay ahead.  In this atmosphere, a new, large-scale attack, 
especially in tourist destinations such as Marrakesh and Agadir, 
could damage the Moroccan economy, as well as drive home the message 
that Moroccans are no longer immune to terrorism on their own soil. 
End Comment. 
 
GREENE