Anti-terrorism front puts off Sine Die march in casablanca
Morocco, Politics, 5/24/2003

The Unified Front against Terrorism, Extremism and for Tolerance and Democracy announced on Friday its decision to put off sine die the march it had previously projected to stage in Casablanca next Sunday in protest against the terrorist bombings that hit Casablanca.

The Front, which was set up last Saturday, one day after the terrorist attacks, made this decision to avoid any confusion with the other march, scheduled on the same day by the majority parties.

"The Front decided to put off the march in order to remain faithful to its founding principles related to consolidating democracy, but also to circumvent any confusion that the organization of two marches at the same time might arise in the public opinion," says a release of the Front.

The same source stresses the Front's "refusal to stymie any action geared to fight terrorism and voices determination to implement its plan of action the way it was devised by all its components."

The Front against Terrorism, Extremism and for Tolerance and Democracy, which gathers 48 political parties, trade unions, NGOs, women and cultural associations, had staged sit-ins in the places that were hit by the spate of terrorism bombings that shook Casablanca, claiming 42 fatalities and scores of injured.

Discussions between the Front and the majority parties to stage a unified march resulted into a deadlock over the participation of the Islamist opposition Justice and Development Party (PJD), which is categorically refused by the Front.

Other reported bones of contention also include the Front's claim that victims' families be in the march's forefront, followed by women, the usual targets of Islamists' violence, and children to symbolize the right to live.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco's house of representatives passes anti-terrorism bill   (5/23/2003)
  Spain's fm visits Spanish club targeted in casablanca terrorist attacks   (5/23/2003)
  Islamic-leaning party unwanted in Casablanca anti-terrorism march   (5/23/2003)

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