Morocco strives to reopen borders with Algeria, minister
Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 10/26/1999

Morocco is striving to reopen land borders with Algeria, the Moroccan territory management, environment, town-planning and environment minister, Mohamed Yazghi, said.

Yazghi told the press in Paris that Morocco was "surprised by the Algerian official statements" made during the campaign for the referendum on civil concord in Algeria.

Ties between Morocco and Algeria, which had taken a positive turn with Bouteflika's coming to power last April in Algiers, soured again recently, following the anti-Moroccan statements made by the Algerian head of state.

Bouteflika accused Morocco of sheltering camps of Islamist extremist groups.

Yazghi underlined that the Algerian official statements "had a negative connotation." He conceded that Morocco fully understands that, "Algeria is going through a difficult stage," and that President Bouteflika "wants to achieve stability, concord and peace" in Algeria.

Yazghi also dismissed Algeria's accusations that Morocco provides shelter for Algerian terrorists. "Morocco can neither host nor protect terrorists," he said, adding that the Moroccan and Algerian security services have close and permanent cooperation ties."

He insisted that Morocco is determined to normalize relations with all Maghreban states.

Previous Stories:
  Youssoufi: Morocco wants to live in peace with Algeria   (10/18/1999)
  Istiqlal Party calls Algerian leaders to adopt new policy for better relations with Morocco   (10/7/1999)
  Bouteflika sends message of regret to Moroccan king   (10/4/1999)

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