TO: Ambassador Bouhlal
FR: Ed Gabriel, MAC team
RE: Phone Call with Rep. Norman Dicks (D-WA)
The number for the office of Rep. Dicks is 202-225-5916.
Most of the time, the Congressman will not be available and will call back later in the day.
Background
Rep. Norman Dicks is the Ranking Member of the full Appropriations Committee from the state of Washington. He represents Washington’s 6th congressional district, located in the northwestern corner of the state. He is a tireless advocate for environmental conservation and defense policy, as Boeing is a major employer in his district. He was first elected to Congress in 1976. He recently announced that he will not be running for reelection.
Rep. Dicks is a reliable supporter of Morocco. He signed both the 2007 and the 2009 Congressional letters in support of the Moroccan Autonomy Plan, and also voted in favor of the 2006 Free Trade Agreement. He is a long time friend of Ed Gabriel.
Rep. Dicks has a very busy week as they are marking up 4 of the biggest Appropriations bills (Homeland, Defense, and Military Construction, in addition to our bill) and will likely not want to talk for a long time. As the Ranking Member, it will be important to him to know that the policy recommendation (resolve based on autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty) is also the policy of the Obama administration
Goal
To Thank Ranking Member Dicks for his support over the years and thank him for the positive report language that was included by the Subcommittee.
Talking Points
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Thank Chairman Dicks for his support over the years.
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Thank him for the positive language that was included by the Subcommittee on the issue of resolving the Western Sahara based. Also note that we always enjoy working with Rep. Lowey (the Ranking Member –Democrat- on the Subcommittee). MAKE SURE to use the correct member reference above for each call you make. One of the talking points references the Republican member who helped us, the other references the Democratic member who helped us.
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Morocco very much appreciates this attention from the Congress and we believe your actions will prove very helpful to restore regional security and stability.
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If he asks for more information you can explain how the positive report language notes how the deteriorating security situation makes it imperative to resolve the dispute over the Western Sahara based on autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty.
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Resolving the dispute based on Autonomy/Sovereignty is the long time position of Ranking Member Dicks, the Congress (House and Senate Majorities) and President Obama, President Bush, and President Clinton. AND MOROCCO SUPPORTS THIS US POSITION.
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The language also emphasizes the need to resolve protracted refugee issue posed by the refugee camps that have been run by the Polisario for over 35 years by conducting a census of who is living there and working on programs that emphasize resettlement outside of the camps.
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Thank him again for all of his support and for this important language.