New king able to consolidate democracy in Morocco
Morocco, Politics, 7/25/1999

The new king of Morocco, Mohammed Ben Al Hassan, is the man able to strengthen and consolidate democracy and development in the country, said French president Jacques Chirac on Saturday in Yaounde.

Cutting short his African tour, the French head of state arrived in Rabat this Sunday morning to attend the funeral of King Hassan II who passed away on Friday. He said he has known very well and for a long time the man who was crown prince of Morocco and who is today King Mohammed Ben Al-Hassan.

Few hours after the death of king Hassan II, his eldest son and crown prince, Sidi Mohammed, was proclaimed King of Morocco.

President Chirac said he was sure that King Mohammed Ben Al-Hassan "is able to ensure the continuity, to carry on the renovation work initiated by his father, and to strengthen and consolidate democracy and development in Morocco".

In Madrid, the print media of this Sunday published in front pages comments asserting that King Mohammed Ben Al-Hassan is a king for the future of Morocco and that the Moroccan people who will not forget the late monarch Hassan II has renewed indefectible attachment the Alaouite throne and faithfulness to the late monarch's successor.

King Mohammed is fully assuming the political and religious power at a moment Morocco is holding in serenity, calm and responsibility the funeral of the late sovereign, the Spanish media wrote pointing out that the sincere friendship between Morocco and Spain will be carried on during the reign of the new king who has already received testimonies of international backing.

In the United States, President Bill Clinton said Saturday in Aspen, Colorado, he talked on the phone with King Mohammed and that he pins great hopes on the new monarch.

Clinton who arrived in Rabat this morning to attend the late sovereign's funeral had said he had already met king Mohammed when he was crown prince and that he pins great hopes for the continuation of our successful efforts in the Middle East peace process.

Immediately after the announcement of the demise of King Hassan II, President Bill Clinton said in a statement released Friday evening that "King Sidi Mohammed and the Moroccan people can continue to count on the support of the United States."

He also underlined the late sovereign's role as a peacemaker saying that the Middle East has lost one of its greatest peacemakers and that in honor of the late monarch "we must rededicate ourselves to fulfilling his vision: a just and lasting peace for all the Middle East's children".

In the statement, President Clinton said that "over his 38-year reign, King Hassan II demonstrated time and again his leadership, his courage and his willingness to embrace change. He worked tirelessly to promote the welfare of his people, and in recent years he took important steps to deepen freedom in his country."

After he recalled that the late sovereign offered wise counsel to every U.S. president since John F. Kennedy, Clinton said the late King Hassan II worked to break down barriers among the peoples of the Middle East and that with this demise, the Middle East has lost one of its greatest peacemakers.

Former Ambassador of the United States to Rabat Marc Charles Ginsberg paid a moving tribute to the late monarch that he called "an authentic statesman" and "a moral leader".

Ginsberg made the statement to CNN few hours before flying to Rabat to attend the funeral along with President Clinton, his spouse Hillary, his daughter Chelsea, former president George Bush and former secretaries of state James baker and Warren Christopher, secretary for middle east and north Africa affairs Martin Indyk, and Coordinator for the middle east peace process, Dennis Ross. He said the late sovereign was prompted by a great vision in his quest for reconciliation between Arab states and Israel.

He added that King Hassan II was a genuine link between the Arab and Israeli leaders before underlining the Moroccan Jews' deep respect and strong backing to the Moroccan monarchy.

A large Israeli delegation, headed by President Ezer Weizman and Prime minister Ehud Barak, is attending the late sovereign's funeral.

Previous Stories:
  Koutla Parties Underline Mobilization Behind King Mohammed   (7/25/1999)
  Biography of Morocco's King Mohammed Ben Al-Hassan   (7/24/1999)
  King Mohammed Ben Al-Hassan announces demise of King Hassan II   (7/24/1999)
  King Hassan II's death elicits widespread sorrow   (7/24/1999)
  Restored synagogue in Fes dedicated   (2/26/1999)

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