Morocco may be powerful symbol of development, Heritage Foundation
Morocco-USA, Politics, 7/24/2004

Morocco, an "ideal ally" for the United States, may be a "powerful symbol of development" through the openness of its economy, underlined two members of Heritage Foundation, a Washington-based institute for political research.

"Morocco -- as a Muslim country, a Middle Eastern country and an African country -- can serve as a powerful symbol of development through economic openness, civil society and good governance," wrote Anthony B. Kim and Brett D. Schaefer in a commentary published in the Washington Times, the same day the senate approved Morocco-US free trade pact.

The Free Trade pact was approved Thursday by the House of Representatives that voted the agreement by 323-99.

The authors of the commentary said thanks to the FTA the two countries could see significant gains in trade, adding that "gaining tariff-free access to the U.S. market would be a significant coup for Moroccan exporters."

"With its demonstrated commitment toward political and economic reform, Morocco is an ideal ally in the region," Heritage Foundation members noted.

They recalled in this context that Morocco was recently awarded status as a major non-NATO ally, a privilege that grants the country special privileges.

On the other hand, the authors of the article deemed that a key part of counter-terrorism is "combating poverty which can fuel the resentment, desperation and hopelessness that terrorist organizations utilize to recruit new members and muster support for their activities."

Kim and Schaefer believe that the solution to poverty is to deliver greater economic freedom, "a key component of any long-term solution to terrorism."

The researchers also recalled that the United States has signed an agreement with Jordan and that another one with Bahrain is in the works. "Without these initial agreements, there would be virtually no chance of realizing the Bush administration's goal of negotiating a U.S.-Middle East Free Trade Area by 2013," they underlined.

Previous Stories:
  U.S. Senates approves FTA with Morocco   (7/22/2004)
  FTA with Morocco to reinforce relations with longstanding partner, Bush   (7/17/2004)
  Morocco's King, US President Bush call for quick settlement of Sahara issue   (7/10/2004)

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