Morocco wants frank dialogue with Spain over disputes
Morocco-Spain, Politics, 8/1/2002

Morocco's King Mohammed VI who renewed Morocco's rejection of the Spanish armed aggression against the Moroccan Mediterranean islet of Toura, an integral part of Moroccan territory, said Morocco is ready to hold "frank dialogue" with Spain over the whole set of litigations between the two countries.

"Concerning litigious issues, which are common between neighbors, Morocco is ready to debate them provided that they are handled in the framework of a prospective vision and a frank dialogue between the two countries," said the sovereign on Tuesday in a Throne Day speech.

Furthermore, the sovereign went on, the two countries should be "spurred by constructive will and faith in the need of co-development projects, in keeping with (our) shared cultural legacy, in compliance with the treaty of friendship, cooperation and good neighborliness, and in accordance with the weight of historical and geographic realities and the values and requirements of modern time."

The king also renewed that the Toura islet (briefly occupied by Spain), has always been an integral part of Morocco's national territory and part of its sovereignty as is evidenced by historical and geographic facts as well as authoritative legal instruments.

"As much as we are attached to the return to the prior situation in this Moroccan islet and refuse escalation and imposition of the fait accompli, we are keen on guaranteeing peace, stability and good neighborliness in the strategic region of Gibraltar," he said before calling Spain to clarify the type of relationship it intends to have with Morocco "and take into account the evolution requirements in our two countries and the vital stakes underlying their present and future relations."

Of the issue of Sebta and Melilia, two Moroccan northern towns still occupied by Spain, the king recalled that since it gained independence, "Morocco has been painstakingly É claiming the end of Spain's occupation of Sebta, Melilia and the usurped neighboring islands in northern Morocco." However, he went on, Morocco has chosen to press on with its claims over occupied territories "the path of lucid reason and to adopt a peaceful and civilized approach," recalling in this regard the proposal by the late King Hassan II to set up a Moroccan-Spanish joint reflection cell to find a solution to the problem of these occupied areas.

The sovereign who regretted that Spain has failed to react to this proposal, deplored that these colonies have become dens bleeding the Moroccan economy and bases of illegal emigration and other unlawful practices.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco concerned over anchoring of spanish frigate off occupied island of N'Kor   (7/30/2002)
  Rabat worried at Madrid's attempts to retract on agreement regarding Morocco's kingty   (7/27/2002)
  Morocco amazed by Spanish officials' remarks   (7/26/2002)

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