Spain should reconsider relations with Morocco, Spanish official
Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/22/2002

President of the Spanish regional government of Cataluna, Jordi Pujol, said on Friday Spain should reconsider its vision of its relations with Morocco and try to understand its southern neighbor's positions, stressing that claiming the return to the status-quo in the Leila island is not enough.

Pujol, who welcomed the detente noticed Friday in the Moroccan-Spanish standoff over the Mediterranean islet told radio station "Cadena Ser" returning to the status-quo that prevailed ten days ago is not enough because relations between the two countries have seriously deteriorated over the past years.

He also argued that the incident should be exploited to address Moroccan-Spanish relations in a different way, voicing confidence in Morocco's earnestness to reach a way out through dialogue.

For Pujol, Spain and the European Union should understand Moroccan positions and be fully aware of the importance for them of Morocco's progress. They should likewise try to promote political and economic ties geared toward Morocco's development and growth, he went on.

He said Morocco is the most important country for Spain, from strategic, military, political, economic and demographic points of view and, as such, it should get the same treatment that the USA gives to Mexico, in order to foster its development and economic growth and regulate immigration.

He further held Spain responsible for "a poor understanding" of Morocco, before inviting Spanish officials to endeavor to understand Morocco, like they are doing with their British, Japanese, Saudi, German and Chinese partners. For this, he went on, Spain should get rid of some superiority complexes that it often demonstrates in dealing with Morocco.

Previous Stories:
  Update: Spanish forces withdraw from Morocco's island   (7/20/2002)
  Morocco says islet still occupied by Spain   (7/20/2002)
  Leading party wants Spain to deal with occupied Moroccan towns   (7/20/2002)

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