Morocco, a bright light of reform and moderation in the Islamic world, Zoellick
Morocco-USA, Politics, 6/15/2004

The signing next Tuesday of a free trade agreement between Morocco an the United States will seal a " new and deeper economic and political partnership with Morocco, a bright light of reform and moderation in the Islamic world," said US trade representative, Robert Zoellick.

Morocco, Zoellick said in an article published Saturday by the New York Times, is a model of the moderate Arab states that "are reclaiming the ideas of an Islamic golden age when a vibrant culture allowed young scholars to explore the frontiers of knowledge and commerce thrived."

"Their reformist and tolerant vision of Islam includes free parliamentary elections, the sale of state-owned businesses, the encouragement of foreign investment that can be connected to broad-based development, and better protection of the rights of women and workers," he went on.

"In Morocco, Jordan, Bahrain and elsewhere, young leaders are struggling for the soul of Islam. It is a battle of leaders who embrace tolerance against extremists who thrive on hatred. It is a conflict of economic reformers against those who fear modernization because it threatens their power to intimidate. And it is a contest of those who welcome closer ties with the West against those who see us as an enemy," Zoellick wrote.

In his article under the form of a contribution, the US Trade Representative deemed that "America's strategic interest in the outcome of this struggle is immense, but our ability to influence it is limited. From the Middle East to Southeast Asia, only fellow Muslims can lead their brothers and sisters to a better Islamic future. But the United States is not without influence.

Through free-trade agreements, for example, we can embrace reforming states, encouraging their transformation and bolstering their chances for success even as we open new markets for American goods and services."

The agreement, which had been announced officially in April 2002 during a visit of king Mohammed VI to the US, will be signed by Morocco's chief negotiator, foreign minister delegate, Tayeb Fassi Fihri, and Zoellick.

The two parties affirmed that the agreement respects Morocco's specificities, especially the farming part of the agreement which was a major concern for the kingdom. The FTA is expected to boost foreign investments in Morocco and diversify outlets for its products.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco, leader of reforms in the region, Burns   (5/15/2004)
  Washington not seeking to impose solution on Sahara dispute, Burns   (5/15/2004)
  King receives US assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs   (5/14/2004)

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