Morocco and Spain have transcended the 'Perejil complex', minister
Morocco-Spain, Politics, 9/7/2004

Morocco an Spain have transcended the "Perejil complex," said Spanish defence minister, Jose Bono, alluding to the July 2002 crisis over the Leila islet that the Spaniards call Perejil.

Six Moroccan troops were sent, at the time, on the rock, some 250 meters away from the Moroccan shore, part of the kingdom's struggle against terrorism and illegal immigration in the Gibraltar straight, but Spanish forces, under former premier, Jose Maria Aznar, abducted the Moroccan servicemen calling their presence on the Moroccan islet an "invasion."

The two countries have started a new phase, marked by joint participation in the UN peacekeeping missions in Haiti, Bono said, quoted by El Mundo daily.

"We went from confrontation over Perejil to joint action in Haiti," he said.

Morocco and Spain have decided late July to send a joint contingent in the frame of the UN stabilization mission in Haiti (MINUSTHA), meant to help the Haitian transitional government in holding free elections and establish democratic institutions in the country.

Concerning Spain's plans to issue stay documents to Moroccan illegal immigrants who have been on Spanish soil for three years, the minister said the government "did what it had to do," rejecting the criticism of opposition, which warns that the decision is "appealing" for illegal immigrants.

Moroccan-Spanish relations are at their best since the Socialist Labor Party (PSOE), headed by Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, came to power. Relations knew a revival in several fields and on a number of questions.

Previous Stories:
  Spain wants intensified cultural contacts with Morocco for better mutual knowledge   (9/1/2004)
  It's high time Sahara problem was resolved, Spanish FM   (8/5/2004)
  New Spanish immigration law in the pipeline, Spanish FM   (8/4/2004)
  Zapatero's visit to Morocco, 'reunion between two nations', Spanish official   (4/24/2004)
  Improving relations with Morocco, a priority, says Spanish future minister   (4/6/2004)
  Sebta and Melillia must be retroceded to Morocco without haggling, Spanish former diplomat   (10/22/2003)

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