Moroccan PM says support to his government is beyond parliamentary considerations
Morocco, Politics, 2/1/1999

Moroccan Prime Minister, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, said Sunday the support that his government enjoys "goes beyond parliamentary considerations and calculations" as it enjoys the trust of King Hassan II and the backing of grass-root and businessmen.

In an interview with Saudi daily "Asharq Al Awsat," published in London, Youssoufi, who is heading since last March a coalition government, underlined that the public opinions and businessmen have grown aware that everybody will lose if the old policies and actions are carried on. He added that the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the European union have welcomed the appointment of this government, led by a former opposition figure, and expressed backing to its program and projects.

"There are two types of societies in Morocco: one that draws benefit from prosperity and from the progress and economic development opportunities and a poor society deprived of all chances to a prosperous life," he said. Although he acknowledged that change cannot take place overnight, he noted that the government's action was successful and called all citizens to participate in the building of a genuine and integrated development to overcome the country's social problems.

Youssoufi further deemed that the main gain for his government is that Moroccans are now aware of the existence of a government that understands their problems and endeavors to solve them.

The Prime minister, first secretary of the Socialist Union of Popular Forces "USFP," called the international community to bring to Morocco's democratic process more than speeches and engage in investments, facilities and guarantees for the financing of new projects likely to generate jobs and economic development.

To a question on the Sahara issue, the prime minister answered that the issue enjoys the unanimous support of the government and insisted that this unanimity has not changed. For Morocco, he went on, it is necessary to hold a referendum in acceptable conditions and with the participation of all parties whose future is likely to be affected by the referendum.

Regarding religious extremism in Morocco, the prime minister stressed "The Kingdom is evolving confidently on the path of democracy and the upcoming elections will consolidate the legitimacy of governmental institutions and weaken advocates of violence and extremism." For Youssoufi, "extremism normally evolves in closed societies and in conditions of repression but when the scope of freedom and democracy exercise widens, chances for extremism to flourish and to develop reduce."

Youssoufi also said that Arab states need more democracy and sustained economic growth. Youssoufi underlined that this wished democracy and growth should be coupled with social justice and consolidated human rights.

Previous Stories:
  Youssoufi hails anti-corruption fight   (1/14/1999)
  Moroccan government renews will to alleviate debt burden   (1/6/1999)
  Morocco holds back on allowances for senior government executives   (12/30/1998)

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