Zapatero: Morocco has collaborated significantly after Madrid blasts
Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/29/2004

Morocco has collaborated significantly with Spain after the terrorist blasts that rocked the capital Madrid last Mars 11, said head of the Spanish government, Jose Luis Zapatero.

In an interview with the French daily Le Monde, to be issued Thursday, Zapatero said "It is true that many among the attacks perpetrators have Moroccan nationality, but the most important, in my opinion, is that the Spanish society has distinguished perfectly assassins, whatever their passports, and the many Moroccans living in Spain," he said.

"I never talk about Islamist terrorism, but international terrorism. We can not include under one name hundreds of millions of persons and a religion (É). This requires a permanent cultural struggle.

"I have recently read an interesting article on differences between the West and the Islamic World that says the problem is not one of religion nor even one of economic development, but rather women's position," Zapatero said, deeming that "as soon as some Islamic countries pave the way before women in society, prospects are optimistic."

The official further told Le Monde his country and France are both defending a "Mediterranean Europe." Our two countries have a North-African calling. We have decided to work together to strengthen EU-Maghreb relations, he said, adding that development in North-Africa is fundamental for Europe's stability, to regulate migration influxes and also to "show Arab countries that what they call the 'West' is not only ready to receive labor force, but also to fulfill its duties vis-ˆ-vis developing countries."

Previous Stories:
  Moratinos convinced 'Sahara conflict blocks Maghreban Union'   (7/28/2004)
  King holds phone talks with Spanish monarch, Premier   (7/28/2004)
  Spain practicing 'constructive diplomacy' to settle Sahara issue, Zapatero   (7/27/2004)

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