Moroccan government condemns Spanish aggression of Moroccan islet
Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/18/2002

The Moroccan government strongly deplores and denounces the Spanish aggression on Moroccan territory and condemns the Spanish military deployment in front of Moroccan Mediterranean coast, said this Wednesday official spokesman of the Royal palace following an extraordinary session of the ministers council.

The ministers council which met under the chairmanship of King Mohammed VI who was accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid says the deployment of warships, an aircraft carrier, sub-marines, and helicopters in front of Moroccan Mediterranean coasts is disproportionate given the nature and the size of the problem over the islet of Tora/Leila.

The official spokesman said the sovereign informed the council on the Spanish occupation forces' invasion Ednesday at dawn of the Moroccan islet of Tora, known as Leila, at a time discussions were heading towards an agreement with Spain for a way out to the crisis, that was fabricated by Spain after Morocco dispatched security elements to conduct routine operations to control smuggling and illegal immigration, in accordance with the requests of European countries, particularly Spain.

The government vehemently condemns and denounces this Spanish aggression against Moroccan territory and condemns the military deployment of warships, an aircraft carrier, sub-marines, and helicopters in front of the Moroccan Mediterranean coasts, in a disproportionate way given the nature and size of the problem, said the spokesman adding the government has called the deployment of Spanish occupation forces on the islet "a blatant aggression against the Kingdom of Morocco." "Spain wants to exploit this issue and make of a political dispute a military conflict through which it seeks to impose force by the fait accompli," he added.

The government renews its attachment to Morocco's historical and legal rights on the Moroccan islet of Tora/Leila. Contrary to what the Spanish claim, the islet has never been part of the Spanish territory and has never been under Spanish sovereignty.

Morocco further considers the occupation by Spanish forces of the Tora/Leila islet as a breach to all principles and foundations of international law and is a blatant violation of the friendship, neighborliness and cooperation accord signed between the two countries in 1991, particularly articles 3, 4 and 5 which insist on settlement of bilateral disputes "whatever their nature is and in all situations" through peaceful means, and that have always been respected by Morocco.

The government equally warns that "the Spanish act is a dangerous precedent for the stability, security and peace in the Mediterranean region and in the world and undermines the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation and requirements of security and development in this area."

"Morocco renews that dispatching a limited number of security forces was mainly aiming at fighting smuggling, webs that encourage illegal immigration and any other unlawful act.

The Moroccan government insistently asks Spain to withdraw immediately and unconditionally and to rescind any measure taken on the Moroccan islet to show that it is sincere in its intentions to hold a frank and constructive dialogue with Morocco and create a climate of security in the strategic region of the Gibraltar strait.

Morocco further urges the international community, the European Union, the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Conference and regional organizations to exact from Spain to withdraw immediately from the occupied Moroccan islet.

Morocco, which has repeatedly expressed adherence to the virtues of dialogue, wisdom and peace to end the Spanish occupation of its northern and southern regions, will defend its sovereignty and the integrity of its territories, adopting in this the approach of open, frank and comprehensive dialogue on the basis of international legality while being respectful of the historical links binding Morocco and Spain, shared interests and present and coming strategic stakes, the government said.

Previous Stories:
  Spain calls back its ambassador to Morocco over Leila islet crisis   (7/17/2002)
  Morocco expects Spain's immediate unconditional withdrawal from Leila islet   (7/17/2002)
  Official statement on Morrocan Leila islet   (7/16/2002)

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