Spain offers dialogue with Morocco to find way out to islet crisis
Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/20/2002

Spanish prime minister, Jose Maria Aznar, stressed the importance of maintaining good relations with Morocco and offered "contacts" with the Moroccan authorities to find a way out to the crisis over the Moroccan Mediterranean islet of Leila.

The head of the Spanish government was talking 24 hours after helicopters of the Spanish army, supported by several gunboats, landed on the Moroccan islet -located at 150 meters off the Moroccan coast- violating Morocco's air space and territorial waters, after Morocco sent last week a small group of security agents on a routine operation to control illegal immigration, smuggling and drug trafficking in the strait of Gibraltar. The Spanish forces captured the six Moroccan security agents and forcefully embarked them before setting them free near the occupied Moroccan city of Sebta. Aznar said he has issued instructions to maintain contacts with Morocco as Spain does not seek tensions that serve nobody.

Morocco says Spain had accepted on Tuesday night a Moroccan concrete offer under which Morocco would withdraw its six men provided that Spain never sets foot again on the territory. Spain has however broken its promise and invaded the tiny island some minutes later.

Previous Stories:
  Historical proofs evidence Leila islet is Moroccan, researcher   (7/19/2002)
  'Status quo' referred to by Spain is not mentioned anywhere, Says Journalist Zakia Daoud   (7/19/2002)
  Moroccans protest Spain's invasion of Moroccan islet   (7/19/2002)

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