Israeli FM arrives in morocco
Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 9/2/2003

Israeli foreign affairs minister, Sylvan Shalom, arrived Monday afternoon in Morocco.

Shalom, who was welcomed at the Casablanca Mohammed V airport by Moroccan foreign affairs and cooperation minister, Mohamed Benaissa, told reporters "I think Morocco should be included in the (peace) process. It can be the bridge between the Israelis and the Palestinians and with other countries."

"We have now a new opportunity in our region that we are determined to seize. I'm sure that Morocco can help both parties (.) to seize this new opportunity and to move forward in the peace process," said the head of the Israeli diplomacy, who also expressed confidence that "if Morocco is willing to play a key role in the peace process both parties will accept it."

Of bilateral relations, Shalom said "I think the time has come that Israel and Morocco will once again come to closer relations. We had very close relations until three years ago and we should continue to strengthen our relations."

The minister underlined that "Morocco has a very good place in the Israeli history. We had very good relations with the late king Hassan II," he went on.

"We are trying to work together to bring relations to the place they were until three years ago in October 2000," he said.

On his part, Benaissa said "we are trying to make the two parties respect the road map and resume negotiations because it was proved that violence (.) does not favor peace, security and stability.

The Moroccan minister recalled his meeting with his Israeli peer in London a few weeks ago.

Benaissa tied any headway in the implementation of the road map to the existence of appropriate conditions to resume negotiations, stressing that the peace plan was agreed upon by Israel, the international community and all Arab countries.

Benaissa further stressed that Morocco is endeavoring to have the Palestinians and Israelis "honor commitments made as part of the road map" and to convince the two parties resume negotiations.

He also recalled contacts undertaken by Morocco to this end with the Palestinian national authority, mainly after the visit to Morocco by Palestinian prime minister, Mahmoud Abbas, and talks he held, some weeks ago, in London with his Israeli peer.

Previous Stories:
  Palestinian premier in Morocco   (7/29/2003)
  Palestinian PM to visit Morocco   (7/26/2003)
  Palestinian group absent of Moroccan festival, failed to obtain Israeli authorization   (5/9/2003)

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