Moroccan premier says Sahara issue was no obstacle to normal relations between Morocco, Algeria
Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 2/21/2000

Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi said the Sahara issue was not an obstacle to normal relations between Morocco and Algeria for years, stressing that it is possible to have normal or quasi-normal relations despite the issue, which is being handled by the United Nations.

In an interview with the Algerian daily "Le Matin," the head of the Moroccan government hoped that bilateral relations will be healed and added that Morocco takes note of the Algerian adherence to the United Nations resolutions on this issue, hoping that this stance will not change.

To a question on the authority in charge of the issue, Youssoufi answered it is within the competence of the Moroccan state and explained that in Morocco the executive branch is headed by the king. In his capacity as head of state, the king has the authority over Morocco's international relations, assisted by the government, in the same way Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika discharges this duty in his country.

Algeria is the major supporter of the Polisario secessionist movement which is claiming the independence of Moroccan southern provinces, former Spanish colony that was retrieved by Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid accords. After a cease-fire decreed in the region in 1991, the United Nations is trying to hold a referendum where local populations will say whether they want the Sahara to remain Moroccan territory or stand up on its own.

Previous Stories:
  Moroccan premier wishes political detente in Moroccan-Algerian relations   (2/7/2000)
  Moroccan-Algerian talks in Algiers   (1/20/2000)

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