King Mohammed urges for comprehensive approach to struggle against terrorism
Morocco-Regional, Politics, 10/10/2001

Morocco's King Mohammed VI said on Wednesday the struggle against terrorism should proceed according to a comprehensive approach, combining condemnation of terrorism and tangible efforts to eradicate its roots and causes and to target its perpetrators while avoiding punishing innocent civilians.

In a speech before the emergency session of the foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Conference, the sovereign said thorough investigation need to be conducted "to ascertain the facts on the basis of international legality, so as to ward off any reactions resulting from acts of sheer revenge."

The royal speech that was read out by foreign affairs and cooperation minister, Mohamed Benaissa, also insists that the events of last September 11 should not obnubilate the Palestinian cause and the need for an end to the Israeli "savage" practices against them.

"While all the Islamic countries expressed their strong denunciation of terrorism and their solidarity with the American people after the events of September 11, the outrageousness of these events has not made us mindless or oblivious of the ordeals endured by our Palestinian brethren as a result of the Israeli aggressive policy," says the sovereign. "That is why we should step up efforts to draw attention on the dire consequences which might arise from the explosive situation in the Middle-East. We renewed our call to the international community to pay the most careful attention to the Palestinian cause and to fully shoulder its responsibilities vis-a-vis the defenseless Palestinian people, in order for the Israeli savage practices against them to be stopped and for the peace negotiations to be resumed with no preconditions," he insisted.

The message also calls the Islamic foreign ministers, meeting in a "complex international juncture" to "adopt a responsible attitude that evidences the determination of the Islamic Ummah and its ability to take up the challenges and to avert dangers."

The king recalled the Islamic world condemnation of "the tragic events which were experienced by the United States of America last September 11, and which targeted innocent peoples and institutions" and the international reactions triggered and stressed the need for the Islamic world, which is now faced with major challenges, to produce evidence that "we are the custodians of an age-old civilization, which calls for sound and balanced human relations, on the basis of equality, the right to life for all, peace and security." He insisted further that Islam does not advocate violence nor does it call for the exclusion of the others, as claimed by those who pin negative labels on our beliefs and ethics.

"In our capacity as Chairman of the Al-Quds Al-Shareef Committee, We will spare no effort to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting peace on the basis of international legality and the accords already concluded by the parties concerned, in such a way as to ensure the restoration of Arab legitimate rights and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al-Shareef as its capital, and also to guarantee peace, security, stability and coexistence among all the peoples of the region," the sovereign pledged.

King Mohammed VI also welcomed "with full satisfaction the positive standpoint of American President Georges Bush towards the legitimate Palestinian right, hoping that the materialization of this position will contribute to opening up prospects for hope and trust and for dispelling the feelings of despair and pessimism."

The Islamic nation ought, more than ever and no matter how international positions may evolve, "to materialize Islamic solidarity, to extend efficient support to the legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people, to alleviate their sufferings, and to close ranks" said the king who also called Muslims to remain attached to "the values of our holy religion, in calling for peace, coexistence and for dialogue with the other religions and civilizations."

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