Palestinian diplomat opposes creation of a micro-state in Morocco's southern provinces
Morocco, Politics, 3/22/1999

Representative of the Palestine Liberation Organization in Beirut, Chafik Al-Houte, voiced opposition to the creation of "a Sahrawi micro-state" in Morocco's southern provinces and said the Arab world does not need non-viable entities that only increase its dismemberment.

Al-Houte told MAP bureau in Beirut, on the sidelines of the the 9th Arab nationalist congress held in the Lebanese capital this March 15 through 18 that those who call for the creation of such a micro-state do not present any sound argument as to the viability of the undertaking.

"How can the inhabitants of a region claim the creation of a state on a geographic basis?," the Palestinian diplomat wondered adding that no people have ever named themselves on the geographic area they live in to be called "the mountain people," "the river people" or "the sea people," ironically alluding to the "sahrawi people" (Sahara means in arabic desert).

An Algeria-backed separatist movement, the polisario, is claiming the independence of the Moroccan southern provinces that were formerly under Spanish rule and that were retrieved by Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid Accords.

Most participants in the 9th Arab nationalist congress have voiced backing to the territorial integrity of Morocco and denounced any dismembering scheme during a debate on "the Sahara issue and settlement possibilities."

The participants, whether from Bahrain, Tunisia, Syria, Lebanon, or Palestine have unanimously voiced backing to Morocco's territorial integrity and denounced the creation of a so-called entity on the Moroccan territory.

Participants in the debate clearly opposed the creation of the entity and supported Morocco's territorial integrity.

The congress which gathers some 230 intellectuals, writers and newsmen from several Arab countries seeks, as stipulated by its statutes, to consolidate Arab unity, national independence, democracy, social justice and development throughout the Arab world.

The congress that was set up in 1990 held its 7th session in Casablanca in 1997.

Previous Stories:
  Columbian president hails Moroccans' solidarity move with earthquake victims   (3/20/1999)
  Morocco is waiting for UNO response to remarks over Sahara settlement plan   (3/19/1999)
  Participants in Arab Nationalist Congress in Beirut back Morocco's territorial integrity   (3/18/1999)

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