Spanish representative acknowledges Morocco's right to claims on all territories occupied by spain
Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/19/2002

If Spain is claiming sovereignty over Gibraltar, it is logical that Morocco also lays claims on Sebta and Melilia and all other northern areas occupied by Spain, said Wednesday Spanish representative, Joan Puigcercos, of the opposition party Esquerra Republicana Per Catalunya.

Speaking at the parliament, Puigcercos said Spain's military operation to occupy the Moroccan Mediterranean islet of Leila is a minor issue, compared to more important issues and that it won't settle decolonization problems in North Africa.

Several other Spanish parties criticized Spain's dawn invasion of the islet, including "Izquierda Unida," the Basque National Party, and other non-governmental organizations.

The People's Front for the independence of the Canary (FREPIC-AWANAK) released a statement that strongly condemns the colonial invasion and criticizes the Spanish officials for ordering the occupation by force of an African territory that has never belonged to Spain. The Canary party calls for the intervention of the United Nations, the African Union and other supra-national and regional organizations.

The Spanish left coalition "Izquierda Unida" on Wednesday openly condemned Spain's invasion of the Mediterranean islet of Leila as a move "resuscitating Spain's colonial and Africanist spirit of past centuries."

By using force, the Spanish government is wasting an important position in Africa, Morocco, General coordinator of the leftist coalition, Gaspar Llamazares told the Spanish lower chamber. The coalition also accused the Spanish government of making an abusive use of the resolution adopted on Tuesday by the lower chamber and in which representatives support the continuation of diplomatic moves to defuse the crisis over the islet.

In the same vein, chairwoman of the movement for peace, disarmament and freedom, Francisca Sauquillo, condemned Spain's use of force and its invasion of the islet and warned against the risks of spurring an anti-Islamic phobia in the Spanish society and anti-Spanish feelings within the Moroccan society.

On its part, the center of studies for peace voiced fears that the invasion of the islet could lead to a deterioration of relations between the two neighboring countries that are linked by strong economic, trade, political and cultural relations.

For the spokesman for Peace Now Organization, Julio Rodriguez, who argued for a diplomatic settlement to the dispute, it is logical that at a time Spain is conducting negotiations with the United Kingdom on the future of Gibraltar, Morocco wants to start negotiations on the future of the two Moroccan northern towns occupied by Spain, Sebta and Melilia where, sooner or later, colonization will end. The association also sees that the two countries share more important interests.

Previous Stories:
  History confirms Leila islet is Moroccan territory, testimonies   (7/18/2002)
  Spain's Llamazares: invasion of Leila islet smacks of colonialism   (7/18/2002)
  The Guardian: impossible not to side with the Moroccans over Leila islet   (7/18/2002)

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