Moroccan political leader hopes for inter-Algerian reconciliation without enmity to morocco
Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 4/28/1999

A Moroccan political leader has voiced hope to see the Algerians reconcile without showing any enmity to Morocco.

"I hope that Abdelaziz Bouteflika's election as Algerian president will pave the way for the return of stability and for reconciliation among Algerians without any enmity against Morocco, which has always been affectionate towards them," Mahjoubi Aherdane, Leader of the Moroccan National Popular Movement party (MNP), told the London-based Al-Hayat daily.

Bouteflika, who was sworn in Tuesday as Algeria's new president, promised to focus on ending Algeria's eight-year-old civil troubles.

Aherdane also voiced hope that the Algerians share the same feelings of affection with Morocco.

"As we (Moroccans) do not interfere with their internal affairs, they should not interfere with ours. They (Algerians) should show wisdom so that the Maghreb hold a place within the international arena," he said.

Both Morocco and Algeria are members of the Arab Maghreb Union together with Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania. The Union has so far been unable to progress towards a homogenous bloc due to Algeria's direct involvement in the issue of Moroccan Sahara.

"The Sahara issue was fabricated and unfortunately Algeria was not fair to Morocco," Aherdane regretted.

Previous Stories:
  Bouteflika's election heralds major progress in Moroccan - Algerian ties   (4/27/1999)
  Rabat renews call on Algiers to open borders with Morocco   (4/26/1999)
  African summit discusses Western Sahara issue   (4/26/1999)

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