Pakistan renews backing to any initiative meant to settle the Sahara issue
Morocco-Pakistan, Politics, 4/17/2001

Pakistan will continue to back any initiative meant to settle the Sahara issue and will spare no effort to establish peace and stability in the region.

The statement was made by Pakistan's chief executive, General Pervez Musharraf, at a dinner banquet he hosted here Monday in honor of Moroccan Prime Minister, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, currently on an official visit to Pakistan.

General Musharraf voiced Islamabad's pride to contribute to the settlement process of the Sahara issue, mainly through the MINURSO (French acronym for the UN mission supervising the holding of a referendum in the Sahara), and expressed appreciation for the efforts made by Morocco to help the UN fulfil its mission.

The United Nations is trying to hold a referendum in the Sahara --a Moroccan southern territory that was formerly under Spanish rule and that was retrieved by Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid accords. The vote, which will give the people of the Sahara a choice between independence or integration with Morocco, has been repeatedly delayed because of the maneuvers of the separatist polisario which seeks to shrink the voters list.

General Musharraf also underlined the shared ties of religion and culture existing between the two countries and insisted on the role Morocco and Pakistan should play to establish world peace and security.

Scientific progress, world economy development and the dangers threatening the Islamic Ummah (nation) call Morocco and Pakistan to carry on efforts to uphold the values of peace and freedom, he said.

Touching on the conflict with India over Kashmir, General Musharraf called the international community to convince India endeavor with Pakistan to reach a peaceful solution to the problem, in line with UN resolutions.

As to the situation in Afghanistan, the chief executive called for further backing to this country to shield it against what he called "a genuine human catastrophe."

He stated further that the Pakistani government and people were looking forward to a visit by King Mohammed VI to Pakistan, as this visit, he said, would consolidate the ties of friendship and cooperation existing between the two countries.

Echoing him, Youssoufi also underlined the strong ties of friendship and religion binding the Moroccan and Pakistani people despite the distance separating them and said the two countries' relations are based on mutual respect, understanding and trust.

He voiced appreciation for Pakistan's support to Morocco in its independence struggle and for its stand in favor of the kingdom's territorial integrity.

Youssoufi arrived in Islamabad on Monday on a four-day official visit to Pakistan, the first of the kind, at the invitation of chief executive, General Pervez Musharraf.

Youssoufi was also received Monday by president of Pakistan, Mohamed Rafiq Tarar.

The Moroccan Prime Minister had told reporters in Rabat before flying to Islamabad he would convey the President of Pakistan a verbal message from King Mohammed VI.

Youssoufi is accompanied by minister of industry, trade, energy and mining, Mustapha Mansouri, minister of transport and merchant navy, Abdeslam Znined, minister of economic forecasts and planning, Abdelhamid Aouad, and secretary of state for scientific research, Omar Fassi Fihri.

Secretary general of the ministry of foreign affairs and cooperation, Rachad Bouhlal, businessmen and journalists are also part of Youssoufi's party.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco's premier starts official visit to Pakistan   (4/16/2001)
  Morocco's premier visits Pakistan next week   (4/12/2001)
  Morocco, Pakistan Debate Economic Cooperation   (1/4/2001)

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