By Kevin McCauley
The Kingdom of Morocco is paying Gerson Global Strategic Advisors $2.5M through 2012 to oversee and supervise efforts in the U.S. to promote political and economic goals of the northern African state.
Morocco is the site of a growing pro-democracy movement that has pressed King Mohammed VI for constitutional reform. On March 9, the King promised to relinquish some of his powers. Human Rights Watch reports that security forces have alternated between allowing peaceful demonstrations and breaking them up. More than 35,000 people marched in the capital city of Rabat and Casablanca on March 20.
Under GGSA's agreement, the New York-based firm shall recommend "appropriate third-party resources" to promote the Kingdom's strategic interests as well as cross-border trade and business development between the Morocco and the U.S. Selected contractors are to be compensated separately by Morocco
GGSA was founded by financier Russ Gerson, a Drexel Burnham Lambert alum and advisor to John McCain’s presidential campaign; Stephen Norris, co-founder of the Carlyle Group – who recruited President Bush I, ex-Secretary of State Jim Baker, and former Defense Secretary Frank Carlucci as advisors to Carlyle – and Rabie Mansouri, a Moroccan who has advised multinationals in the middle east and northern African region.
Either GGSA or Morocco may terminate the representation agreement with 90 days notice. The contract however states that it is anticipated that the engagement term will be extended for an additional two years.
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