Morocco takes note of release of 243 Moroccan detainees in Tindouf
Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 8/16/2003

Morocco on Friday said it "took note" of the announcement of the release shortly of 243 of Moroccan detainees in Tindouf (south-western Algeria).

The government "takes note of the announcement made on August 14, 2003 on the release shortly of 243 Moroccan detainees in Tindouf, in southern Algeria," the Moroccan foreign affairs and cooperation department said in a release Friday.

"While lauding the return of these 243 Moroccan nationals to their country and to their families," Morocco said "the resort, once again, to the liberation of Moroccan detainees by the groups confirms the immorality (of their acts) and decried approach adopted by the enemies of the Kingdom's territorial integrity in blatant violation of the international humanitarian law and of the United Nations Security Council resolution, particularly resolution 1495, dated July 31, 2003."

"The media exploitation that accompanies these releases stems obviously from a political instrumentalization of the tragedy of the Moroccan detainees for low political and propagandist ends, far from any humanitarian consideration," the department said, adding "Morocco notes, therefore, the systematic reference to the action of the Spanish government and wonders on the real motivations that are hidden behind the insistence to stress that the liberation comes after "a new solicitation by the head of the Spanish government, Jose Maria Aznar," while such a liberation is a formal and explicit request of the international community as a whole."

"The Government of H.M. the King would like to recall that the detainees of Tindouf are the longest serving in the world. They have been living for 25 years in inhumane tragic conditions that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) decried several times," the foreign affairs and cooperation department said.

"Morocco can only reject this tendentious interpretation of the resolution 1495 of July 31, 2003, requesting the separatists to liberate without delay all remaining detainees and requires the immediate, total and unconditioned liberation of all its nationals," the department said, adding "Morocco equally calls on the international community to intervene with the host country, Algeria, to respect and make respect the humanitarian law on its territory in accordance with Article I, common to the four conventions of Geneva of August 12, 1949, and to which this country (Algeria) subscribes."

Previous Stories:
  Maghreb union construction goes to respecting bodies' charter, Moroccan fm says   (8/14/2003)
  For Algeria, Saharara question is linked to geo-strategic card to weaken Morocco, university professor   (8/12/2003)
  Algeria has to take into account Morocco's national interests, press   (8/12/2003)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search