Morocco invites Mexico to contribute to settling sahara issue

Moroccan foreign affairs and cooperation minister, Mohamed Benaissa, invited Mexico to contribute to settling the Sahara issue.

Benaissa, who represented King Mohammed VI in the searing-in ceremony of President Vicente Fox Quesada, told the press in Mexico that Morocco and Mexico share the ideals of freedom, and the defense of human rights and democracy. He said he was very hopeful as to the future of relations between the two countries.

Mexico's wide-circulation daily "Reforma" quoted recently Benaissa as saying that Morocco wishes that Mexico will change its position regarding the Sahara and play a positive role in settling the issue.

A country like Mexico should adopt an intermediary position, not siding with any party, so that to help find a solution, Benaissa said.

Reforma daily wrote that Morocco is waging a campaign to make Mexico withdraw recognition of the so-called Sahrawi republic.

"We are trying to help our Mexican friends see things as they are, that the Polisario is a mere movement and not a country nor a state," Benaissa said.

The Mexican daily recalled the international backing of the so-called Sahrawi republic is fading away as nine nations withdrew their recognition of this entity during the past ten months. Even the majority of member countries of the Organization of African Unity no longer recognize the mirage state, Reforma added.