Pending case of Sebta and Mellilia may cause instability in the region, warns daily
Morocco-Spain, Politics, 1/5/2002

Leaving the case of Sebta and Mellilia (two Moroccan northern cities still under Spanish rule) unsolved will create a hot spot in eastern Mediterranean and may destabilize the whole Mediterranean region, warns Moroccan Al-Ittihad Al-Ichtiraqi daily.

The Europeans and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) are fully aware of the problem, the daily of the Moroccan Premier's party stated, adding that since Spanish-British negotiations on Spain's sovereignty over Gibraltar entered a decisive phase last November, observers are focusing attention on the situation of the two occupied Moroccan cities, as the two dossiers are closely linked.

This issue came to the forefront following the mediation that was conducted by the European Union between London and Madrid and that proved determining to give to this issue a new prospect, the editorialist wrote.

The daily deems that in this situation, each and everybody will have to shoulder their responsibility and get inspired from examples where colonial powers resorted to innovative formula to overcome tension. Otherwise, the editorialist argues, the question (of Sebta and Mellilia) will remain unsolved, with all the improvisations and unpredicted situations this would imply.

In 2002, Spain will have to come to terms not only with Britain but also with Morocco, since the issue Gibraltar and that of Sebta and Mellilia are indissociable.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco renews need for transparent and balanced ties with Spain   (12/12/2001)
  Aznar must choose between Morocco and the Polisario   (12/6/2001)
  Sebta, Mellilia must be object to negotiations similar to those on gibraltar, paper   (11/28/2001)

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