Morocco renews wish to normalize relations with Algeria
Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 9/22/2000

Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi on Friday renewed wish to see relations between Morocco and Algeria "normalized."

"I look forward to the day when relations between Morocco and Algeria return to normal," Youssoufi told the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat daily.

Relations between Morocco and Algeria soured over the past years in view of Algiers' direct involvement in the Sahara issue and borders between Morocco and Algeria have been closed since 1994 when evidence showed the involvement of Algerian-born French nationals in a terrorist attack against a luxury hotel in Marrakesh (southern Morocco), that killing two Spanish tourists.

Winds of reconciliation between the two Maghreban nations started to blow after the election of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who multiplied good will statements towards Morocco. On the morrow of his election, Bouteflika actually sent Morocco warm messages, vowing to improve neighborliness ties with the kingdom and to upgrade cooperation between the two countries. Later on, however, he repeatedly made anti-Moroccan statements, mainly charging Morocco of sheltering camps of Islamist extremist groups.

The unstable ties between Morocco and Algeria adversly impacted the Arab Maghreb Union, set up in 1989 by Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania.

"I can't imagine myself on top of the Moroccan government, while the situation in the Maghreb remains unchanged," he said.

Youssoufi did not rule out a meeting shortly with the new Algerian Prime Minister, Ali Ben Flis, conceding "official correspondences are so far the only means of contact." (between him and Ben flis).

The Moroccan Premier voiced hope to agree "with the Algerian brothers on overcoming the present situation and return to the situation that prevailed before 1994, especially through the opening of borders between the two countries."

Youssoufi is currently in Tunis, where he co-chairs with Tunisian peer, Mohamed Ghannouchi, a meeting of the Moroccan-Tunisian high joint commission.

Previous Stories:
  European desputies are visiting Algeria and Polisario group   (9/16/2000)
  Morocco's foreign minister meets peers in New York   (9/13/2000)
  Morocco ready to foster cooperation with Algeria, premier   (8/30/2000)

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