Morocco never refuses objective visitors, ambassador
Morocco-Spain, Politics, 6/7/2005

Moroccan ambassador to Spain, Omar Azziman said in Madrid Monday Morocco never refused to anyone abiding by "objectivity guarantees" to visit the Sahara, stressing the Spanish delegation which was denied entry to Laayoune was biased in favour of the separatist "Polisario" movement.

The delegation "is clearly committed to the Polisario" and as its members did not guarantee impartiality and objectivity, they were informed Morocco did not desire the visit when they had sent a letter to the Moroccan Embassy, Azziman told the Spanish news agency Europa Press.

He added that the delegation had responded that it was not seeking an authorisation, but was merely informing on the visit and would travel to the Sahara "with or without authorization."

Local authorities of Laayoune denied Sunday entry to the 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.

The Algeria-backed "Polisario" has been claiming the separation of the Moroccan Southern provinces, known as the Sahara, since 1975 when the provinces were retrieved by Morocco from Spanish rule in line with the Madrid accords.

The Moroccan diplomat said that currently a delegation of the Moroccan chamber of advisors is in Spain where it is discussing with Spanish Senators several issues of mutual interest including the Sahara. Morocco always welcomes Spanish representatives within the framework of bilateral and friendship relations, He said

Azziman ruled out the incident would change the Moroccan-Spanish relations which go through a "very interesting" stage.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco denies entry to pro-Polisario Spanish delegation   (6/6/2005)
  Morocco expels Spanish journalist   (6/3/2005)
  El Pais: Madrid's archbishop denies press reports on PJD   (6/2/2005)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search