Morocco disappointed by Spain's position over sahara issue
Morocco-Spain, Politics, 8/1/2003

Moroccan foreign affairs and cooperation minister, Mohammed Benaissa, said Morocco is disappointed by Madrid's position over the Sahara question in the United Nations Security Council, noting that Spain, which is currently acting as president of the UN council, played the role of a judge and a party in the conflict.

"At a time when we sincerely work for the restoration of trust between the two governments and consolidate cooperation and partnership between the two neighboring peoples and countries, the chairmanship of the Security Council stunned us with a stand that is contrary to the high interests of the kingdom and even to Spain's interests," Benaissa told "Asharq Al Awsat" Arab daily on Thursday.

Despite Morocco's efforts to explain its position concerning the latest UN proposals and the numerous discussions between the two countries' foreign ministers on Morocco's reserves as regards "Baker Plan," Spain took into account none of these initiatives and proved to be biased when it should have played a more constructive role, the minister deplored.

Benaissa recalled the commitment of Spanish foreign minister, Ana Palacio, concerning Madrid's adoption of a "more constructive and unbiased position." Unfortunately, he went on, "we found out that this stand was neither constructive nor unbiased and it does definitely not serve the two countries' interests, nor peace and security in the region.

He added that he had a phone discussion on Tuesday with his Spanish peer to draw her attention on the consequences of this position on bilateral relations.

Morocco announced Wednesday that it cannot accept a peace plan it did not have the opportunity to discuss neither with the UN secretary general special envoy for the Sahara, James Baker, nor with the other parties, especially since the new proposal is "in contradiction with its basic national interests and peace and security in the Maghreb region.

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