Canary Islands party criticizes government's policy towards Morocco
Morocco-Canary Islands, Politics, 6/8/2002

The Independents of Lanzarote Party (PIL) accused Wednesday the Canary Islands local Government of following an "ambiguous" and "erroneous" foreign policy towards Morocco, and of adopting an "unfriendly," if not "openly hostile" attitude vis-a-vis the African neighbor.

"These statements and attitudes create an atmosphere of hostility and permanent disagreement with Rabat," the PIL warned in a release issued by Spanish EFE news agency.

The party also criticized president of the Canary autonomous government, Roman Rodriguez, for failing to visit Morocco when he was invited by the Moroccan government. It also slammed Rodriguez' hostile remarks after the Moroccan government asked last week a Canary pro-"Polisario" delegation to leave the southern Moroccan city of Laayoune, where it arrived unexpectedly.

The PIL said such statements do not favor fruitful dialogue with the Moroccan authorities.

Moroccan authorities who were amazed by an unexpected visit by a delegation of local elected representatives of the Canary Islands, all known as backers of the Polisario and opponents of Morocco's territorial integrity, asked them to go back home.

Moroccan authorities argue that such visits are ruled by well-established regulations and are usually decided through diplomatic channels.

Previous Stories:
  Concerned by Morocco's nuclear project, Canary government will offer Rabat an alternative program   (11/3/1999)

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