Spanish southern authority asks madrid to shoulder responsibility in Moroccan consulate case
Morocco-Spain, Politics, 11/20/2001

Regional minister for interior affairs of Andalusia (Spanish southern region) Alfonso Perales has called the Spanish central government to shoulder its responsibility and guarantee the opening of the Moroccan consulate in the Oliveros neighborhood in the southern locality of Almeria.

Reacting the incidents resulting from demos by the neighborhood residents against the consulate opening, the local official said Madrid has to all needed measures to facilitate the opening of the consular mission in the site agreed upon by the two countries. He also called local authorities to talk the residents into ending their protests.

Local mediator, Jose Chamizo, on his part, criticized the passivity of officials towards these demos and urged the government to combat racists attitudes expressed by several persons who have taken part in the protest movement.

He also said he does not understand opposition to the consulate opening, adding arguments of a risk of insecurity are wrong.

Meanwhile, a magistrate from the city said the demos are racist, xenophobe and shameful. The magistrate wrote in a note after four persons arrested during the demos made their written statement went on Morocco has the right to open a consulate in Almeria, refuting arguments by inhabitants that the neighborhood is already saturated and insisted these demos would never have taken place if it was Sweden, Swiss or France which opened a consulate.

Previous Stories:
  A spanish socialist leader urges Madrid to choose between a stable Morocco and a belligerent Polisario   (11/15/2001)
  Moroccan minister dismayed at Spain's suspension of labor agreement   (11/15/2001)
  Moroccan fm meets Spanish peer in New York   (11/15/2001)

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