Speech by King Mohammed at dinner banquet at White House
Morocco, Politics, 6/21/2000

Morocco's King Mohammed VI was Tuesday guest to a dinner banquet hosted in his honor at the White House by US President Bill Clinton.

The king, who was accompagnied by Princess Lalla Meriem, was greeted upon arrival by President Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, who was wearing a Moroccan traditional kaftan.

The banquet was attended by US secretary of state, Madeleine Albright, defense secretary, William Cohen, and other US political and business leaders.

The Moroccan delegation and other foreign figures also attended the banquet.

Here follows the full speech made by the King on this occasion.

"Bismi Allah Arrahman Arrahim,

Mr. President,

Madam First Lady,

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I deeply appreciate the warmth of your welcome on the occasion of my first state visit to your great Country, as well as the marks of attention lavished on me and my delegation. I am also most touched, Mr. President, by the kind words you have said regarding my person, and which honor my Country.

On an occasion as special as tonight's, I want to underline the fact that our binding perennial ties do not remain confined to a nostalgic past, that our bilateral relations are in constant evolution and that, from now on, we need to aspire to greater heights so as to move our cooperation towards a quality strategic partnership focusing on four global and inter-dependent objectives, to ensure Security, to strengthen Democracy, to generate Prosperity, to edify Peace.

Being proud of a cultural identity forged in the course of more than one millennium, and enjoying exceptional political stability and a longstanding tradition of moderation and openness, the Kingdom of Morocco offers exemplary evidence that it can be, at the same time, a country where the rule of the law prevails, a multi-party democracy open to government alternation, a competitive liberal economy fostering the private sector's enterprising spirit and direct foreign investments, and, also, a land of tolerance where all citizens coexist in dignity and in racial and religious harmony.

Mr. President,

During the reign of my late father, His Majesty King Hassan II, the Kingdom of Morocco, ever respectful of international legality and ever anxious to assume its political duties, made its contribution, at all times and within its means and power of influence, towards peace and security at various theatres of action and in different parts of the world.

With regard to this, the Middle East region holds an extremely sensitive strategic position where security issues are the first priority, particularly as the situation is exacerbated by religious fanaticism and extremist acts of violence brought about by the retrocession of occupied territories, the return of refugees and the protection of the holy places. To all these threats to security we have to add those pertaining to water supplies and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Mr. President,

I would be the first to acknowledge the degree of your personal commitment to bringing peace to this troubled region. In fact, the peace process could not have been initiated and would not have survived without the patient and determined efforts of the United States of America, especially under your leadership.

Though there is today every reason for us to rejoice at the recent Israeli withdrawal from South Lebanon, the Kingdom of Morocco expresses the most fervent desire to see negotiations resume with Syria for the retrocession of the occupied Golan, as well as fair implementation of commitments made regarding the national and territorial rights of the Palestinian People, which make up the Gordian Knot of the Arabo-Israeli conflict. In this respect, Israel, having no reason to fear for its national security, should, with warranty from its partners, accept the idea that the peoples of the region may exist and live together in peace and dignity on the land of their common ancestors.

In my capacity as Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, a task I am assuming on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, I will insist particularly on the status of this city--holy for the three monotheistic religions-- so that all believers can pray together, full of hope, to one God. My heart is set on this ideal of love and this culture of concord in this region so dear to us all, where, together, we should continue, without respite, our work as founders and builders of peace. (MAP/MORE)AO/SL

Speech by King Mohammed VI at Dinner Banquet (THREE/LAST)

Mr. President,

Because of our solidarity with Africa, this cradle of mankind whose future will undoubtedly belie the present sufferings, we follow with great interest the ongoing American initiatives aimed at the recovery and development of this stricken continent. Likewise, we deeply wish the revival of the Arab Maghreb Union, that we view as an irreversible strategic option liable to ensure regional security and prosperity while preserving the integrity of the territories.

Mr. President,

For all of these issues, I am willing to add my energy and capacities to yours with a view to achieving the noble objectives of Liberty, Justice, Peace and Prosperity for all nations.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I ask you to rise to pay homage to the President of the United States of America and to Mrs. Hillary Clinton, to wish the American Government every success in the defense of international justice and legality, and the American Nation every happiness and prosperity."

Previous Stories:
  Morocco renews backing to Eizenstat initiative   (6/20/2000)
  Economic cooperation tops king's visit to US   (6/20/2000)
  King Mohammed arrives in USA   (6/20/2000)

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