Youssoufi: Will of king, people and democratic forces, key to build up 21st century Morocco
Morocco, Politics, 11/9/1999

The convergence between the will of a young and social king, the ambition of a people for change and the militant commitment of democratic and progressist national forces is the key to the building up of a modern and democratic Morocco of the 21st century, said Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi in Paris on Monday.

In an address before the plenary session of the 21st congress of the International Socialist (IS) held in Paris this November 8-10, Youssoufi --first secretary of the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) and vice-president of the IS-- told the delegates of some 130 political parties and organizations of his pride for having responded to the call of the late King Hassan II to form a socialist-led coalition government and initiate thus a change over of power in Morocco.

This March 1998 change brought to power a center-left government after decades of right-wing rule.

This alternation process is a necessary transition phase in Morocco, Youssoufi said, adding that the choice was solemnly confirmed by King Mohammed VI in his first speech of the throne.

King Mohammed VI made his first speech of the throne on July 30, 1999, following his coming to power after the demise of his father on July 23.

"We are proud to have participated in a constitutional and serene succession, in a frame of stability, internal consensus and external backing," the prime minister said.

The prime minister then dealt with the development problems facing Morocco, renewing his government's determination to integrate the kingdom in the new society of the 21st century. He pledged to build up this new society with women, recalling that the Moroccan government had worked out a national plan of action to integrate and involve women in the country's economic and social development.

After he underlined the close relationship existing between development and democracy, Youssoufi called for a more balanced international environment, for more balanced North-South relations and for a fairer and more human world.

He also called for the alleviation of the debt burden on the countries of the south and for increasing the role of these countries in international trade and world economy.

"Socialists should see to the respect of the fundamental interests of peoples in the World Trade Organization negotiations," the prime minister said.

The prime minister also surveyed Morocco's role in the Middle East peace process, renewing the kingdom's support to the process with the full implementation of the Oslo accords and the full respect of the Palestinian people's right to a national state with Al-Quds (Jerusalem) as its capital.

On the sidelines of the IS congress, Youssoufi conferred with several participants, including German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, Dutch Premier Wim Kok and the secretary general of the Spanish Labor Party, Joaquim Almunia.

Member of the Moroccan delegation to the congress, Mrs Nouzha Chekrouni, representative of the women's section within the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP), has been elected last week vice-president of the executive committee of the women's International Socialist for the western Mediterranean region, during the women's IS 17th congress, held in Paris November 4-6.

In her address before the congress, Mrs Chekrouni --who is secretary of state for disabled persons-- surveyed Morocco's efforts to update the legal texts related to women and adapt them to the changes of the situation of women in the world.

She also underlined ongoing drives to effectively integrate women in decision-making and in the development process.

Previous Stories:
  Speaker of Spanish congress carries on talks in Morocco   (11/8/1999)
  Moroccan premier in 21st International Socialist Congress   (11/8/1999)
  Jospin: Morocco's political experience a source of hope   (11/6/1999)

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