Morocco backs UN initiatives in Africa
Morocco-Regional, Politics, 9/25/2001

Morocco follows with keen interest the moves initiated by the UN secretary general in Africa to foster the United Nations' contribution to conflicts settlement.

The statement was made here Monday by Morocco's ambassador to the United nations, Mohamed Bennouna, during the general assembly debate on the UN secretary general's report on the activities of the world body.

The diplomat underscored Morocco's backing to the proposal to dispatch to regions where the situation seems unstable inter-disciplinary missions entrusted with conducting investigation and rebuilding trust.

He said Morocco approves the project to open a UN bureau in western Africa that will be mandated to consolidate the UN capacity in matters of surveillance, warning and prevention of conflicts in the sub-region.

"We are ready to back this initiative and to contribute to its success, being keen to see our west African brothers recover stability and devote energies to economic development and to meeting their populations' needs," the Moroccan diplomat said.

A peace keeping operation must not be limited to enforcing a cease-fire. It must also see to the promotion of dialogue among conflicting parties and set up a genuine strategy for peace consolidation, he said, adding this strategy requires that dialogue be held between all parties involved in a regional conflict or dispute and that dialogue and consultation be at the very core of a preventive diplomacy, when the dangers of a confrontation are looming, in order to break the whirlwind of violence.

This strategy requires other accompanying measures such as extend humanitarian emergency relief, promote micro-projects providing basic services to settle refugees and displaced persons, unarm and reinstate some fighters and put at the disposal of affected populations the basic services to enable them resume a normal civil life and contribute to the reconstruction of their city, region or country, Bennouna said.

The Moroccan diplomat stated further this culture implies the promotion of a genuine policy of neighborliness and the setting up of mechanisms for a bilateral and sub-regional lasting cooperation, geared towards interdependence and guaranteeing a shared economic and social development. "This is the conviction dictating Morocco's action in its inter-African relations. This is the conviction prompting our quest to reactivate the structures Arab Maghreb Union (UMA, mustering Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia), knowing that the shared future of the states of our sub-region and the success of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership depend on this union," the Moroccan diplomat said.

Previous Stories:
  Arab League withdraws Sahara item from AL's report, after Morocco's protest   (9/10/2001)
  Durban conference: Morocco pleads for protection of migrant workers' rights   (9/3/2001)
  Morocco's FM: Arab Foreign Council Meeting Positive   (8/23/2001)

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