LBC: Morocco does not militarize political issues, FM

Morocco which remains firmly attached to its rights and claims over its territories that are still occupied by Spain does not militarize political issues, being convinced that the real force is that of dialogue, said Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohammed Benaissa.

This came in an interview that was cast Wednesday by Lebanese satellite TV channel LBC and that was mostly devoted to Moroccan-Spanish relations.

Moroccan-Spanish relations were marred by a series of crises that climaxed last July when Spain deployed warships and helicopters to invade the Moroccan uninhabited islet of tourah/leila, 150 meters off the Moroccan Mediterranean coast, violating Morocco's air space and territorial waters.

The Spanish government withdrew its forces from the Moroccan islet following the good offices conducted by US secretary of state Colin Powell and the Moroccan and Spanish foreign ministers held a meeting on July 22 in Rabat and convened to meet again in September in Madrid.

Benaissa said Morocco favors any approach likely to enable it fulfil its goals and defend its interests through negotiation. He insisted that Morocco does not militarize political issues and has no plans to resort to force. "We do not believe in force. Real force is that of dialogue."

Conceding that there is a crisis of confidence between Morocco and Spain, Benaissa said any dialogue between the two countries should first seek to restore trust between the two sides and make an assessment of the pending issues between them.

On the meeting he is initially scheduled to have with his Spanish peer, Ana Palacio, in Madrid in September, Benaissa said it has been convened that contacts between the two sides will take place before the end of August to set the date and the agenda of the meeting.

Benaissa renewed Morocco's "sincere" will to have sound relations with all its neighbors, while remaining attached to its rights to defend its claims and preserve its interests.