Influential congress members back projected USA-Morocco free-trade accord
Morocco-USA, Politics, 10/30/2002

Fifty-seven influential members of the US Congress, including senate majority leader, democrat Thomas Daschle, and house majority leader, republican Dick Armey, have voiced support to the projected free trade accord between the United States and Morocco.

In a letter to the United states Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick, the members of the House of Representatives say they have "noted with great interest President Bush's announcement of his decision to authorize negotiations on a free trade area (FTA) with Morocco, voicing backing to such "a liberal trade regime with countries that share our essential values and commitment to human rights."

"We congratulate the Administration for reaching this decision with Morocco and we look forward to successful completion of those negotiations between our two countries," say the US representatives, describing the new understanding with Morocco as "a timely initiative with an important friend."

The signatory representatives recall that Morocco is "the signatory to the oldest unbroken treaty in the history of the US foreign relations," and that the Kingdom "proved its commitment to the United states many times over the past two centuries."

"As Morocco's economy undergoes the transition from its traditional reliance on agriculture to the development of an information-and-service-oriented model, it is important to recall that Morocco has been a leader for the establishment of a rules-based system for global trade and investment," went on the signatory representatives, underlining the kingdom's potential in the telecommunication sector and tourist industry as well as "its strategic advantage as an export platform to the rest of Africa, the Middle East, and the European Union."

Besides Dick Armey, Representatives Tom Delay, republican majority whip, Phil Crane, chairman of the sub-committee for trade, and Charles Stenholm, high-ranking member of the agriculture committee were also among the 55 signatories of this letter.

In a similar letter, signed by Senator Tom Dashle and his colleague Max Baucus, the Senate voiced confidence that "negotiations with Morocco, in particular, will move forward quickly," and that such an accord will strengthen an important strategic alliance in the Middle East, and will at the same time portray Morocco as a model of tolerance and of economic overture for the region and for other developing nations.

"Negotiations between the United states and Morocco will expand US ties with an important developing country that supports trade liberalization and economic reform as key ingredient of development," the senators' letter stated.

Last Friday, vice-chairwoman of the US National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC), Mary A. Irace, had said the projected FTA with Morocco reflects the kingdom's strategic importance in the era of globalization of international trade exchanges.

Early this month, US trade representative, Robert Zoellick officially notified to the Congress that free-trade negotiations between Morocco and the USA are scheduled to start this year.

Previous Stories:
  US official: US-Morocco free trade agreement project reflects Morocco's strategic importance   (10/28/2002)
  Florida economic operators resolved to boost business ties with Morocco   (10/23/2002)
  Moroccan NGOs hands US ambassador memo on Iraq   (10/11/2002)
  White House announces launching of free trade accord negotiations with Morocco   (10/5/2002)
  King Mohammed holds second phone talks with Powell   (7/20/2002)
  Washington contacts with Morocco and Spain for peaceful settlement of islet issue   (7/19/2002)

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