Morocco denounces hideous exploitation of situation of Moroccan POWs in southern Algeria
Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 8/19/2003

Morocco denounced the hideous exploitation of Moroccan Prisoners of war held in Tindouf (southern Algeria).

"Announcing the new release by group of the Moroccan POWs held for over 20 years in Algeria does not mislead anyone. It does not meet the calls of the international community, that is aware of the tragedy of our compatriots who have become the longest-serving prisoners in the world, delegate-minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Taib Fassi Fihri told MAP.

He underlined that "continuing to detain our compatriots is a blatant violation of international humanitarian Law. They unfairly perpetuate their physical and psychological suffering and cause distress to their families."

The enemies of our territorial integrity, he went on, continue to hideously exploit the fate of our compatriots (.) under a political-media opportunist approach.

For the minister, "no body is fooled by this crystal clear instrumentalization and the release by groups (of the prisoners of war). Those whom they want to please with these false humanitarian act are even less fooled."

"Algeria's responsibility in this issue, as in all the aspects of the Moroccan Sahara question is clear, " Fassi Fihri underlined. "In addition to its involvement in capturing our compatriots and in their incarceration first in Algerian prisons where they were held for a long time then in Tindouf camps, Algeria remains responsible for the breaches perpetrated in its territory.

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

Previous Stories:
  Liberation of detained in Tindouf is a priority for ICRC   (8/18/2003)
  Aujourd'hui le Maroc: Algerian central sahara could have witnessed same situation as Moroccan sahara, Moroccan jurist   (8/16/2003)
  UN charter binds international community to decide on Moroccan identity of sahara, Moroccan researcher   (8/16/2003)

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