Morocco won't send troops to Iraq, but ready to train Iraqi brothers
Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 7/10/2004

Morocco won't send troops to Iraq, but it is ready to "receive Iraqi brothers for security, military or civil defense training," said Moroccan minister delegate for foreign affairs and cooperation, Taib Fassi Fihri.

In an interview aired Thursday by Morocco's TV channel 2M, Fihri said King Mohammed VI, currently on a working visit to the United States, and President George W. Bush have surveyed during their meeting at the White House a "wide range of topic issues, part of a frank and constructive dialogue, especially on the Iraq issue."

King Mohammed VI, he said, reiterated to President Bush that the Kingdom will not send troops in Iraq, but out of "solidarity with the Iraqi people and efforts to rebuild unified Iraq, the kingdom is ready to receive in its academies and military training centers Iraqi brothers for security, military, county police or civil defense training.

Fassi Fihri said talks between the Moroccan and US heads of State were "dense and fruit-bearing."

In a message early this week to Iraqi Prime Minister, Iyad Hachem Allawi, King Mohamed VI voiced Morocco's readiness to train elements of the Iraqi police, army and Civil defense. Morocco welcomes "Iraqi brothers" to undergo the necessary training in Morocco, the message said.

During their meeting at the White House, the US President paid homage to the King's efforts to consolidate democracy and to actions carried out by the sovereign in matters of economic reforms and social progress.

Both leaders voiced satisfaction at the "important and positive evolution" of the two countries relations- since their last meeting in New York in September 2003- as evidenced by the signing on June 15 of a Free Trade Agreement between the two countries and by President Bush's decision to designate Morocco as a major non-NATO ally, as well as by the institutionalisation of a political and strategic dialogue between the two countries.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco voices readiness to train Iraqi security forces   (7/7/2004)
  Morocco denies plans to dispatch troops to Iraq   (6/18/2004)
  King voices 'acting' support to new Iraqi leader   (6/3/2004)

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