King's courageous and deep reforms gains Morocco wide support
Morocco, Politics, 10/30/1999

The Moroccan monarchy, with a new and young king, today enjoys internal and international legitimacy and unprecedented popularity, said Moroccan Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi in Lisbon Friday.

The Moroccan head of government made the statement during the award ceremony of the North-South prize for the defense of justice and the safeguarding of human rights. Youssoufi and former European Commissioner Emma Bonino are the recipients of the 1999 North-South prize.

The prize is granted annually to two persons from the north and the south for their distinguished actions for human rights.

Youssoufi stated that the Moroccan people's union around the throne does not only reflect the people attachment to the monarchy, symbol of its unity, but also the international community support to a king who "backs and conducts with determination courageous and deep reforms."

He added that king Mohammed VI has confirmed his trust in the socialist-led coalition government and also proved, in his action and speeches, his resolve to deepen a new concept of power based on the respect of the rule of the law, democracy, separation of powers, respect of rights and freedoms and the promotion of economic, social and cultural rights.

For Youssoufi, the king's action to alleviate poverty is another support to Morocco's structural endeavors to consolidate the bases of a modern state and a fair society.

Regarding the situation of human rights in Morocco, the prime minister paid tribute to the drives of the late King Hassan II and the international community efforts which helped the kingdom start settling issues of missing persons and political prisoners. He explained that the official acknowledgement of the existence of the problem of missing persons and political prisoners have created appropriate conditions for a fair settlement of the problem.

After he cited Morocco's adherence to a number of international human rights conventions, he said his government's program is meant to consolidate the rule of the law, reform the judiciary system, modernize economy, set up appropriate conditions to investments, integrate the rural world in the development process and modernize the education system.

Youssoufi added, regarding Morocco's relations with Europe, that cooperation needs to be deepened to reach partnership.

After he called for better living conditions of Europe-based Moroccans, Youssoufi rejected the handling of illegal migration from a security standpoint, and appealed on Europe to enhance its support to the development of south mediterranean countries.

The Portuguese president Jorge Sampaio who handed over the prize to the two recipients paid tribute to Youssoufi "as an old friend" whose career has always been driven by a desire to serve Morocco that he called "a close country that (we) follow with love and fraternity."

Previous Stories:
  Party leader criticizes government inaction   (10/23/1999)
  European Parliament values bold and positive reforms by Moroccan king   (10/22/1999)
  Morocco presents human rights report to UN   (10/21/1999)

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