Sahara issue: Morocco's top priority, a mutually acceptable, final political solution, King
Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 7/31/2004

King Mohammed VI of Morocco on Friday insisted on a "mutually acceptable, final political solution to the artificial dispute" over the Moroccan Sahara, and voiced resolve to work together with the United Nations and neighboring countries to settle the three-decade long dispute opposing the Kingdom to the Algeria-backed separatist movement "Polisario."

"Morocco's top priority is to find a mutually acceptable, final political solution to the artificial dispute over our Sahara." The monarch said in a State of the Nation address on the occasion of the Throne Day, marking the fifth anniversary of his accession to the throne.

"Working together with the United Nations, the neighboring countries and the Kingdom's partners, we will spare no effort to achieve this objective, by granting extensive prerogatives to our Saharan provinces for the democratic management of their regional affairs, within the framework of the Kingdom's sovereignty, national unity, territorial integrity and sacred, immutable values."

The Polisario movement, backed by Algerian authorities, is seeking to separate the southern Moroccan provinces, known as the Sahara, from the rest of the country. The former Spanish colony was retrieved by Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid Accords, signed with Spain and Mauritania.

"Such a political solution is to be perceived from a geo-strategic and economic perspective. It will reinstate the southern region in its historical role as a key area for trade and the development of human relations, in a climate of concord and security," the monarch said, adding that "the aim is to serve the people of the region as well as all our neighbors and partners, bringing shared prosperity to all, through economic integration in the Maghreb."

This integration, he emphasized, is indeed, the best means of achieving stability, security and prosperity in the region."

Differences over the future of this territory between the two main populated countries, Morocco and Algeria, have been at the origin of the stalemate facing the construction of the North African regional grouping, 'Arab Maghreb Union', known by its French acronym 'UMA'. The three other member countries of this grouping are Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania.

The monarch reiterated, in this regard, his "firm intention" to give fresh impetus to Morocco's relations with the Maghreb countries, "especially those with Algeria, by rekindling them and clearing the air between the two countries, in order to fulfill our peoples' aspirations for a future characterized by solidarity and fraternal ties."

"I am just as keen to see to it that our special relations with Mauritania -- to which I attach particular importance -- are further developed. I am also anxious to continue working closely with Tunisia and Libya to reactivate the Maghreb Union, in a framework of transparency, dedication, mutual interest and respect for member states' sovereignty and territorial integrity," the King said. This, he went on, should turn the Union into an area where democracy, progress, stability and prosperity prevail, and make it a strategic negotiating bloc, not only in the Euro-Mediterranean region, but also in its relations with regional and international groupings.

Previous Stories:
  20th visit exchange between Morocco's Southern provinces, Tindouf camps, Algeria, postponed   (7/24/2004)
  Interior minister's visit to Algeria was positive, official   (7/23/2004)
  Morocco, Algeria agree to set up security cooperation task group   (7/22/2004)

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