Leila islet case: Morocco convinced dialogue is best path
Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/16/2002

The Moroccan government said on Monday that the deployment of security forces since July 11 on the Moroccan Mediterranean islet of Leila is a mere surveillance operation in a sensitive area and that the deployment will be maintained for the time being, adding it is convinced that dialogue is the best path to build the future of Moroccan-Spanish relations.

In a statement to the media, minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, regretted that the European Union adopted a stance without asking for Moroccan clarifications. He said Morocco will notify the European Union the legal and historical arguments on the Leila Islet which "is part and parcel of the Moroccan territory" and said he is convinced "the EU will understand the arguments."

After he underscored that the Leila tiny Island, which is 13.5 Hectares wide and is located less than 200 meters from the Moroccan Mediterranean coast at 40 KM east of Tangiers, is not part of the Moroccan-Spanish dispute over the two occupied Moroccan cities of Sebta and Melilia, Benaissa said since the end of the Spanish protectorate over northern Morocco in 1956, Morocco has deployed security forces in the island whenever it was necessary.

He insisted that Morocco's setting of a surveillance post is part of the exercise of its territorial sovereignty over its national territory and is also part of the fight against illegal emigration, drug trafficking and other lawless activities going on in the Gibraltar strait.

He added that the Moroccan government deems that the only interpretation is a simple surveillance operation in a sensitive area where interest requires increased vigilance, especially in the present circumstances.

"While remaining attached to the defense of the territorial integrity of all countries, Morocco continues to wish that Moroccan-Spanish relations be based on sound and constructive foundations and on mutual respect," said the head of the Moroccan diplomacy.

He also pointed out that Morocco has forwarded to Spain an answer to the verbal note it issued on the matter and that he, himself, held a lengthy phone conversation with his Spanish peer while secretary of state for foreign affairs and cooperation, Taib Fassi Fihri, also talked on the phone with Spanish peer.

Benaissa further voiced astonishment at Spain's "disproportionate" reaction and at its move to send war vessels to the area. Morocco, he went on, "does not have any intention to provoke Spain and less to invade it," he said explaining "invasion cannot be carried out by a handful of soldiers."

He assured that all "diplomatic channels will be used" to settle the dispute.

Previous Stories:
  El Pais: Morocco wants to use Leila Island to fight terrorism   (7/15/2002)
  Moroccan fm cites moves by Morocco and Spain to end political lethargy   (7/10/2002)
  Morocco and Spain in permanent contact to overcome crisis, Spanish official   (7/9/2002)

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