Speech of King Mohammed on recent bombings
Morocco, Politics, 5/30/2003

Morocco's King Mohammed VI delivered this Thursday a speech to the nation that was broadcast on the Morocco radio and TV channels.

Here follows the full text of the royal speech:

"Praise be to God His, is the only Eternal Kingdom

My Loyal Subjects,

I have promised to be frank and sincere with you at all times, whatever the circumstances. I refrained from addressing the nation immediately after the terrorist attacks were perpetrated in Casablanca and from telling you that we had won the battle against terrorism in just one night or over a period of a few days. As I trust your wisdom and clear-sightedness, and as I believe in our mutual commitment to share our responsibilities at all times and to confront difficult situations courageously, I felt that this was a time for action and determination.

As you were able to see, I immediately issued orders which made it possible to bring the situation under control. In this connection, I wish to commend the efforts made by the citizens and by the various public authorities who will remain constantly mobilized, ready to help you and to provide for the nation's stability.

To draw the necessary lessons from what happened and to work together to prevent recurrence of such events, I thought I should speak to you today and share with citizens in general, and with the inhabitants of Casablanca in particular, their emotions, their strong indignation and their outright rejection of such vile and despicable terrorism. I wish to offer, once more, my deepest sympathy to the families of the innocent victims, Moroccans and foreigners alike.

As a token of the nation's solidarity with the stricken families, among my loyal subjects, I have decided that they should be given special financial assistance.

The terrorist aggression is incompatible with our identity and with our tolerant faith. Furthermore, its instigators, like the perpetrators, are wretched rogues who can in no way claim to be Moroccans or true Muslims, as they do not even know that tolerance is one of the characteristics of Islam which forbids bloodshed and considers that taking the life of a human being unjustifiably is tantamount to slaying the whole of mankind, and which regards Jihad as an ongoing effort to control one's bad inclinations and disseminate good, rather than spread the seeds of discord and murder.

I am pleased and proud to see how Moroccans rose up spontaneously and unanimously against those who betrayed the country and treacherously and wilfully slaughtered innocent people. I am also delighted to see the broad international support extended by friendly nations to Morocco in this ordeal. Yet, we should not forget that what happened in Casablanca could have happened in any other place.

Aware of the dangers of terrorist threats, the State has shouldered its responsibilities and striven to ward off such risks through the force of law and also through the draft legislation which was submitted to Parliament months ago. However, some circles resorted to systematic filibustering, thwarting government plans and policies and misusing the freedom of opinion.

To all of them, I say: exercising one's rights and freedoms entails necessarily that the duties and obligations inherently attached to citizenship be fulfilled. Indeed, building and consolidating democracy is a process which can only succeed in a strong State which derives its power from the rule of law.

The moment of truth has come, heralding the end of the era of leniency in dealing with people who take advantage of democracy to undermine the authority of the state, those who spread ideas which create fertile ground to sow the seeds of ostracism, fanaticism and discord, and also those who are bent on preventing the public and judicial authorities from displaying the firmness required by the law, in their effort to protect the integrity and security of people and property.


My Loyal Subjects,

I was extremely moved to see this imposing national march in Casablanca, the largest ever organized in favour of peace and tolerance, and against violence and fanaticism. This march, without precedent in Casablanca, was another warning that this city cannot be daunted by the crimes of a gang of villainous thugs. Notwithstanding the difference in context, I proudly thought, just like you, of the atmosphere of the glorious Green March and what it symbolized in terms of harmony between the Throne and the people. Whenever the nation or its sacred values and institutions came under threat, a mood of general alertness, vigilance and mobilization would develop, either to preserve the Kingdom's territorial integrity or to build our project for a democratic, modern society.

My loyal subjects, you have shown how strongly committed you are to seeing our project achieved in perfect harmony between the different sections of society, the various Regions of the Kingdom and all the nation's political parties, associations, cultural and religious organizations.

By responding vigorously to the aggressors' conspiracy, you have shown even more strength and tenacity as well as a greater determination to build a united, democratic nation, moving towards progress, displaying solidarity and tolerance. This the only alternative Moroccans have. They have made it their own, deliberate choice because they believe firmly in its ideals and are set on making this project a tangible reality.

To my loyal subjects who are strongly attached to the immutable foundations of their civilization, their sacred institutions and values, and their democratic achievements, I say: terrorism will not prevail. Morocco will remain faithful to its international commitments and will continue, under my leadership, to strive with faith, confidence and determination to make our project for a modern, democratic society, a tangible reality. They will find me, as their first servant, in the front line, repelling anyone who attempts to pull the country backward. They will find me in the forefront, spearheading, with God's help, their march towards progress and their struggle to win the battle that really counts, and that we are waging together against underdevelopment, ignorance, insulation and ostracism.

We will win this battle thanks to our comprehensive, integrated and multi-dimensional strategy. In its political, institutional and security-related aspects, this strategy seeks to introduce more rigour and efficiency, in a democratic environment, under the rule of law. In the economic and social fields, its aim is to stimulate free enterprise initiatives, release energies and channel them towards the objectives of development and solidarity. As for the religious, educational, cultural and media aspects, the strategy seeks to provide the citizen with education and training and inculcate in him the virtues of openness, modernity, rational thinking, conscientiousness, righteousness, moderation and tolerance. We firmly intend to carry on with the necessary policies to implement this strategy. Our ultimate objective, with God's help, is to enhance the dignity of the citizen, to safeguard the nation and to preserve its international standing.

Wassalamu Alaikum."

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