Morocco denies entry to pro-Polisario Spanish delegation
Morocco-Spain, Politics, 6/6/2005

Local authorities of Laayoune denied Sunday entry to a Pro-Polisario Spanish delegation for "lack of official authorization to practice political activities in the city" and for "biased support" to the Polisario separatists.

The delegation, which belongs to the Federation of solidarity with the Sahrawi people, flew to the southern province of Laayoune from Las Palmas in the Canary Islands but was not allowed to get off when the plane landed. It was told it is not welcomed because of the nature of its visit.

Authorities, however, allowed entry to some Spanish journalists that were on the same flight.

The Moroccan Foreign Ministry had refused to grant the federation the authorisation to visit Sahrawi provinces because of its "biased, subjective and unconditional support to the Polisario" that is claiming the separation of the Moroccan Sahara from the rest of kingdom. The former Spanish colony was retrieved by Morocco in 1975 under Madrid Agreements concluded with Spain and Mauritania.

Authorities believe the delegation was sent to the southern province by a group advocating the thesis of the separatists in order to put the region at loggerheads after the latest incidents that took place in the city.

Recently, the police of Laayoune intervened to restore order following "provocative actions of a group of individuals" that wanted penitentiary authorities "cancel their decision of transferring an inmate sentenced for drug smuggling and organisation of illegal emigration."

Local authorities had condemned attempts by the Algeria-backed Polisario separatists to give a larger proportion to this incident.

A human rights association in L‰ayoune described Sunday the expulsion of the Spanish delegation as "a sovereign decision that cannot be contested" given its suspicious intentions.

PASVERTI expressed categorical reject of "any foreign interference" that would damage Morocco's territorial integrity.

The association warned of manoeuvres of the Polisario Front that seeks the assistance of some delegations that support its theses, particularly from Spain.

Last week, Laayoune authorities also expelled a Spanish journalist after she lied about her occupation to the borders police.

Maria Cristina Berasain, who arrived from Las Palmas, first claimed to be a pharmacist on holidays. She soon changed her statements, affirming she's a journalist for Berria website, and that she came to Morocco to cover the incidents that have occurred in Laayoune.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco expels Spanish journalist   (6/3/2005)
  El Pais: Madrid's archbishop denies press reports on PJD   (6/2/2005)
  Islamic party delegation visits Spain   (5/28/2005)

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