Morocco refuses to sit in an organization mustering an illegitimate entity, Benaissa
Morocco, Politics, 5/24/2001

Morocco cannot accept to be member of an organization that has accepted within its fold an entity which has neither legitimacy nor sovereignty, said Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa.

Benaissa told the London-Based daily Acharq Al-Awsat when asked if Morocco would adhere to the African Union that Morocco was not against the Organization of African Unity (OAU), of which it was a founder member, nor against the African Union. "We are with all that cements African ranks and unites Africans' action. But at the same time, we do not accept to be member of an organization when it musters an entity that enjoys neither legitimacy, sovereignty nor constituent elements of a state," Benaissa said, alluding to the self-proclaimed Sahrawi republic.

As to the role Dakar may play in this respect, Benaissa -who was member of the official delegation having accompanied King Mohammed VI during his two-day official visit to Senegfal may 22-23-- said Morocco has always asked all the states, not only Senegal, to fully understand the reality of the Sahara issue and adopt a stand in conformity with the decisions of the international community and the UN Security Council.

Benaissa expressed consideration for Senegal and for all the African states, especially those having withdrawn recognition of the puppet Sahrawi republic.

In an interview with the same daily, Senegalese foreign minister, Cheikh Tidiane Cadio, said the African Union provides a unique opportunity to make up for the serious mistake made by the OAU towards Morocco, alluding to the Sahrawi republic's membership within the OAU.

The African Union will mark a new starting point for Africa's march towards unity, the Senegalese official said adding that his country is militating so that Morocco be a founder member of the Union.

He insisted that Senegal is at Morocco's side and that this is a firm, unshakable stand. In all objectivity, we can only be at Morocco's side, through adopting a stand that the kingdom deems as serving its national vital interests.

Previous Stories:
  King Mohammed lauds quality of Morocco-Senegal relations   (5/23/2001)
  King Mohammed starts Tuesday official visit to Senegal   (5/21/2001)
  Moroccan Sahrawi women stage demonstration against pro-Polisario meeting in Brussels   (5/18/2001)

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