Youssoufi speaks on projects and challenges
Morocco, Politics, 1/31/2000

Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi met in Rabat a visiting delegation of French and other European media and briefed them on challenges facing the country and reforms his government is operating.

Youssoufi listed major undertakings ahead such as coping with high unemployment, underdeveloped areas in the rural world, the burden of foreign debt and the "huge social deficit" as well as assets of his team, namely royal trust, the people support and international sympathy.

The government, he said, is busy reforming justice and administration to see to the economic takeoff and attract more foreign investment and more jobs.

He also underlined the heavy burden of foreign debt saying its service alone soaks one third of the state budget.

Of social priorities, the prime minister listed bridging interregional gaps, extending social and medical coverage to all layers of society, reforming and extending education as well as adapting curricula to job market needs.

Youssoufi also spoke of his government's approach to women promotion focussing on alphabetization and education, social and economic standards, women and children's health, and changes to the legal status of women. This latter, he said, will be the object of a nationwide debate to marshal through consensus solutions to points related to Shariaa.

The prime minister also briefed reporters on the Sahara issue from genesis to recent developments saying delays to the referendum ought to be sought on the side of MINURSO's working methods and Polisario's delaying maneuver. Morocco, he said, will stick to the right of every person of Saharan origin to participate in the consultation.

Previous Stories:
  Istiqlal party leader meets heads of Italian parties in rome   (1/29/2000)
  European parliament president in Morocco Feb. 7-9   (1/29/2000)
  Moroccan daily calls Algeria to be neutral in Sahara issue   (1/28/2000)

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