French presidential candidate starts visit to Morocco
Morocco-France, Politics, 1/8/2002

Jean-Pierre Chevenement, former French interior minister and presidential candidate, arrived in Rabat on Monday, part of a tour that led him to Algeria and Tunisia.

He said he will conduct "deep talks" with Moroccan officials over the situation in Morocco, France and the Maghreb. He also paid "a deserved homage" to Morocco for "progress in the path of democracy under the leadership of the late King Hassan II and his successor Mohammed VI."

He argued that the Morocco-European Union association agreement should not be limited to a mere free-trade zone, adding structural funds should be earmarked for Morocco to develop its infrastructure and address priority sectors like education, health and housing.

Of last September's terror attacks against the USA, he said the struggle against terrorism should encompass fighting the causes of terrorism. We cannot leave unresolved old problems, such as the Palestinian and Iraqi issues," said Chevenement, who had resigned from government during the gulf war.

He also supported the creation of a Palestinian state as the best guarantee of Israeli security and called for lifting the embargo enforced against Iraq.

Previous Stories:
  Mayor of Paris prospects cooperation with Moroccan officials   (12/20/2001)
  Moroccan-French summit talks in Rabat   (12/3/2001)
  France's Chirac in Morocco Saturday   (11/30/2001)

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