Algeria still clings to global approach to heal relations with Morocco
Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 8/25/1998

Algerian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Aziz Sabaa said Monday his country still adheres to "a global approach" in addressing its relations with Morocco.

Asked about relations between the two north African countries, the Algerian spokesman said "Algeria has proposed a global approach in (addressing) its relations with Morocco and is still clinging to the same attitude."

To another question on a reported secret meeting between Algerian and Moroccan prime ministers, Ahmed Ouyahia and Abderrahman Youssoufi, he said, "Those who took the responsibility to publish this kind of information should have contacted official circles to confirm the information."

Last week, Morocco denied the news on the secret meeting reported by Algerian "El-Watan" daily.

Relations between the two neighbor countries are strained in view of Algeria's backing of the Polisario movement which is claiming the independence of the Western Sahara. Bilateral relations worsened in 1994 when a group of Algerian-born French nationals were found guilty in a terrorist attack against a luxury hotel in Marrakesh and which cost the life of two Spanish tourists.

Following the attack, Morocco imposed an entry visa requirement for Algerians and Algeria closed its land borders with Morocco.

Moroccan Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi repeatedly called on the Algerians to start a new page and end the tensions prevailing in North Africa.

Previous Stories:
  No meeting held between Moroccan premier and Algerian counterpart   (8/20/1998)
  Sahrawi state seems only alternative for Algeria   (8/5/1998)
  Algiers rejects mediation with Morocco   (7/21/1998)

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