Spain's Premier: no worry about Morocco's becoming US Major non-Nato ally
Morocco-Spain, Politics, 6/8/2004

Spanish prime minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said on Monday his government is not worried about the US decision to designate Morocco a major non-Nato ally.

The Spanish official told reporters at a joint press conference with Danish peer, Andres Fogh Rasmussen, "this does not worry us at all."

US President George W Bush on Thursday designated Morocco a "major non-Nato ally," in recognition of the close relations between the two countries, and the monarch's role in the Arab states, the White House said.

"The president took this step in recognition of the close US-Morocco relationship, our appreciation for Morocco's steadfast support in the global war on terror, and for HM King Mohammed's role as a visionary leader in the Arab world," said national security council spokesperson Fred Jones.

The move was welcomed by Morocco as a token of the "consideration and esteem the US have for the person of HM King Mohammed VI, for the Kingdom of Morocco and for the important reforms carried out under the reign of the sovereign in the political, economic, social and cultural fields."

Few countries enjoy the status of "major non-NATO ally" that makes the select club eligible for priority delivery of defense material, enables them participate in defense research and development programs, and also benefit from a US government loan guarantee program, which backs up loans issued by private banks to finance arms exports.

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