Spain-occupied Sebta and Melillia are Moroccan, Spanish Journalist

Sebta, Melillia and the neighboring islands off the Moroccan northern coasts are rightfully Moroccan and consequently Madrid must accept the reality and open negotiations on their future as moral and historical reason is at Morocco's side.

The argument was presented by columnist Jesus Pardo in a story published by Spanish weekly "La Clave" under the title "Now, it is the Moros who are right."

Jesus Pardo, who held the position of correspondent of "Cambio 16" in Morocco in the seventies, said Morocco is right when it claims sovereignty over these territories, insisting on Spain's duty to open dialogue on the issue with its southern neighbor.

Pardo said Gibraltar, and Sebta and Melillia are similar cases as they are all foreign enclaves within territories of sovereign countries.

As long as Spain declines to open negotiations with Morocco over the two cities of Sebta and Melillia, we can not possibly talk of our evident right over Gibraltar, the journalist warned, insisting on the need for Spain to start negotiations with Morocco.