Royal message to Tangier rehabilitation national council
Morocco, Economics, 4/8/2000

King Mohammed VI addressed a message to the meeting of the national Council for the rehabilitation of the historical city of Tangier held here Saturday in commemoration of the visit on April 9th, 1947, of the late King Mohammed V.

King Mohammed VI is the honorary chairman of the council that gathers Moroccan and American personalities.

The meeting is held in cooperation with the Tangier-Al Madina Foundation, the museum of the US ancient legacy and the World Bank.

Here follows a translation of the message read out by the royal adviser Mohamed Kabbaj:

"Praise be to Allah,

Peace and Blessings be upon the prophet Sidna Muhammad, his Kin and Companions,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Fifty-three years ago, this fortunate city had an historical encounter with our grandfather, His Majesty King Mohammed V -- may he be blessed. Its promontory overlooking the rest of the world served him as a pulpit to bring back to mind and to assert the firm constants of the Moroccan Nation as embodied in the persistence of national sovereignty, cultural and religious references and the sanctity of territorial unity. Our celebration of this memorable anniversary today represents an act of veneration and gratitude and a tribute to him -- may he be blessed -- for the valuable gains he secured for his faithful people thanks to his determination and struggle in preserving the identity and integrity of Morocco.

That His Majesty chose the city of Tangier at that crucial time to proclaim the inalienable rights of Morocco is in itself a strong evidence of the special status of this city as a place of notable influence and bridge linking the various parts of the kingdom to the outside world. Indeed, in the course of history, this city's international role grew so considerably, hence making of it, at times, what seemed to be the diplomatic capital of Morocco.

This was the case during the reign of our illustrious forefather, His Majesty the Sultan Sidi Muhammad Ben Abdullah, who used it as a tribune to announce to the world the most important positions of the Kingdom of Morocco, considered then one of the most influential poles in international relations, whether these positions related to his economic and commercial concerns, or to the then existing world order wherein the stand of Morocco was essential. This explains why, upon winning independence, the United States of America dispatched Mr. Thomas Barclay to establish relations with Morocco considered as the most important power south of the Mediterranean and one entertaining a position of great influence with the Ottoman Empire.

His Majesty the Sultan Sidi Muhammad Ben Abdullah granted a most hospitable welcome to the American consul; between Morocco and the United States of America was signed a peace treaty similar to the ones signed between the newly-independent state and the states of England, France and Netherlands. Personal letters were later exchanged between our Forefather and the first American president, George Washington, hence establishing between the two countries ties of commercial and political cooperation and the beginning of an uninterrupted Moroccan-American friendship. This exemplary friendship was renewed at the meeting between our blessed grandfather, His Majesty King Mohammed V, and president Franklin D. Roosevelt at the beginning of 1943, then later on, was further strengthened by our blessed Father, His Majesty King Hassan II, in his meetings with each of the American presidents of the second half of the last century, from president Dwight F. Eisenhower to president William J. Clinton. Certainly, one of the most important reasons for the growing entente between Morocco and the United States of America is the fact that they both adhere to the same principles of liberty, peace and belief in international cooperation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are delighted to bid welcome to the American personalities in this rehabilitation forum; we thank them for their contribution to the promoting of the historical city of Tangier. We praise your initiative and appreciate this meeting of well-intentioned wills from Morocco and abroad as they handle the project of resurrecting the heritage of the ancient city, for we are happy to see collective action fostering individual wills, bringing together the best minds and embarking on various fields of development, only lately dependent upon the means available to the state alone, or on the capacities of the administration for implementation. We are indeed relieved and feel confident regarding the future of Morocco and the maturity of its people when we witness the emergence of bodies belonging to the civil society as they initiate action in various fields, either in their dealing with social issues, such as poverty, pollution and spreading illiteracy, or in their promotion of serious debate, consolidating of cultural foundations and competing in serving the public weal.

When, two years ago, We initiated campaigns for national solidarity, We did not envisage to eradicate poverty, for the matter requires middle-term action, rather, We aimed at kindling the flame of charity. The reaction of our subjects met our expectations, proof that the virtue of charity is ever theirs and enlightens their conscience. Indeed, in the course of its glorious history, the Moroccan society was ever coherent, bound together as it was by the links of solidarity, and dependent on the state only where security, justice, protection and general planning are concerned. Local matters have always been the responsibility of citizens who see to their own needs and manage their own affairs.

Self-management being recognized as most viable, the Moroccan Constitution confirms and sanctions the role of local government as the institution for development planning and implementation. However, and considering the limited means available to them, the local communities cannot do without the initiatives taken by the civil society, particularly where concerns the bringing together of men of goodwill who seek to make their contribution to the national general efforts. Indeed, relying first and foremost on human power was proven to be the best path of the achievement of well-balanced progress.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We owe it to Our Father -- may God rest his soul -- to have established an agency devoted to the promotion and the socioeconomic development of the northern departments and provinces of the Kingdom. In this respect, the Wilaya of Tangier holds a special position with a budget of more than six hundred and thirty million dirhams for the financing of forty important projects, particularly in basic sectors, such as tourism, housing, roads, drinking water, urban and rural electrification, agriculture, irrigation, fishing and healthcare. Important funds are made available for the further equipment of the industrial zone, including the export free zone. Likewise, support is given to small companies with the consideration that they represent one of the most promising suppliers of new jobs.

In order to further ascertain the central role played by Tangier within the international network of communication and exchange, the Casablanca-Tangier highway is being completed, the coastal Mediterranean road project will be implemented, and the new port will be built.

These projects constitute only a beginning, for We are determined to bring Tangier and the northern provinces to the level of the role We have in mind for them, that of the shining and prosperous showroom of our blessed Kingdom. These are the very considerations which prompted Us to visit this region, once entrusted with the mission of leading Our faithful nation. The visit brought Us in direct contact with the living conditions of the people and gave Us the opportunity to call upon their leaders to initiate new action by adding their potential of inventive undertaking to that of the state, the purpose being that of speeding up growth in these provinces to the level we all aspire to. Ladies and Gentlemen,

It has become evident to all that the most important agent of development is manpower, for it is the basic mover of production and creator of wealth. This is due to manpower's ability to exploit and manage all other resources, whether material or intellectual. Our optimism is, therefore, well justified as We behold a group of Our faithful subjects make their contribution, within the civil society, to enlarge collective action. Such a behavior will certainly rekindle the virtue of solidarity so deeply-rooted in any Islamic society. This is the very behavior evidenced by some developed countries at the start of their rebirth. such is the case of the United States of America whose many prominent representatives, are present here to work together with you for the rehabilitation of the antique city of Tangier. You scored well when deciding on the date of your meeting, for it coincides with the glorious anniversary of the visit undertaken to this city by our blessed grandfather, His Majesty King Mohammed V, for the purpose of ascertaining the sovereignty and the territorial unity of Morocco.

We pray the Almighty to grant success to your proceedings and to fulfill your goals, as your goodwill, coupled with your productive action, is oriented towards the prosperity of this city meant to remain the meeting ground of civilizations and the symbol of interaction and intermixing of cultures.

Peace and Blessings be upon you."

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