Banning three weeklies was no easy decision, premier says
Morocco, Politics, 12/20/2000

Banning the weeklies "Le Journal," "Assahifa" and "Demain" was "no easy decision to make," premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi said insisting he was "compelled to make it."

Youssoufi told "El Pais" how he was made to make the move while fully aware it could seriously damage Morocco's image saying "we could not go on standing weekly vehement attacks that harm the credibility of the country, its leaders and the transition underway." The ban was the answer to months-old concerted action by the three weeklies against the country's institutions.

The country's interest was the only drive, he said, explaining how the ban came pursuant to use of the press-code article 77 and that freedom of speech was in no way endangered, the country boasting publication of over 700 titles.

The ban is not a step backwards but a fully deserved sanction because the weeklies had to be immediately reprimanded when slander cases drag on endlessly in courts, he said.

We sought a smooth transition and started building up a modern country despite huge challenges such as a two-year drought affecting our economic development, he went on insisting "we could not allow a group of immature youth to jeopardize transition.

Youssoufi deplored criticism by French socialists' first secretary Francois Holland, saying it should be blamed on his "democratic reflex" and recalled how the weeklies found no major support within the country, Moroccans being unanimous on "smooth transition and national reconciliation."

We probed peaceful transitions in European countries and meant to have no "scores settling," he said underscoring the fact that people who suffered human rights abuse -whether arbitrary detention, torture or disappearance- have been duly compensated as the rule of law requires.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco and Slovakia sign protocol for consultations between foreign ministers   (12/19/2000)
  Morocco made historical decisions in favor of Palestinian people, Erekat said   (12/19/2000)
  Press union flatly turns down draft press code   (12/19/2000)
  Press union flatly turns down draft press code   (12/19/2000)
  Cabinet council debates draft public freedoms law   (12/15/2000)
  King Mohammed confers with US Mid-East Emissary Ross   (12/13/2000)

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