Normalization of Moroccan - Algerian ties a strategic option for Morocco
Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 9/18/1998

The normalization of relations between Morocco and Algeria is a strategic option for the government of Morocco, spokesman of the Moroccan government said.

"The government is very earnest" in its moves to reopen land borders between Morocco and Algeria, Khalid Alioua said.

Relations between Morocco and Algeria became strained due to Algeria's direct involvement in the Sahara and after Algerian-born French nationals were involved in 1994 a terrorist attack against a hotel in Marrakesh (Southern Morocco), killing two Spanish tourists.

Subsequently, Morocco imposed entry visas for Algerians wishing to visit the Kingdom, while Algeria retaliated by closing land borders with Morocco.

In the past few months, Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi repeated calls to Algeria to start a new page with Morocco through the opening of the borders and the suppression of visa requirements.

However, the Algerians said they so far received no concrete proposal in this direction and that they only learned about the Moroccan initiatives through the press. Algerian authorities insist that the issue of Moroccan-Algerian relations should be addressed in a "global approach."

Khalid Alioua stressed the need to overcome the situation of tension which is detrimental to Morocco and Algeria, and the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA).

This regional organization, set up in 1989 in Marrakesh (Morocco), has been frozen in view of the Moroccan-Algerian dispute and the Lockerbie issue opposing Libya to the United States, Britain and France.

"We are hopeful, because there are some good-willed people in Algeria who wish that we will move forward towards normalization," Alioua said.

The Moroccan official refused to comment on the recent decision of Algerian President Liamine Zeroual to hold early presidential elections, arguing that this is an Algerian internal affair.

Previous Stories:
  Algerian army removes Moroccan citizens from area close to borders   (9/9/1998)
  Algeria has no evidence of Morocco's involvement in arms smuggling   (8/28/1998)
  Algeria still clings to global approach to heal relations with Morocco   (8/25/1998)

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