Morocco calls Spain to show dynamic and active neutrality in Sahara issue settlement

Moroccan delegated minister for foreign affairs and cooperation, Taieb Fassi Fihri, said Morocco wishes that Spain adopts "a stand of dynamic and active neutrality for a rapid settlement of the Sahara issue."

The Moroccan official called Spain in an interview with the London based Asharaq Al-Awsat to "study, encourage and support various proposals (for the Sahara issue settlement) on the basis on realistic and objective considerations and on indisputable historical facts."

Among these historical facts, Fassi Fihri cites the fact the "the overwhelming majority of Moroccans of Sahrawi descent are living in the southern provinces and that they are attached to their Moroccan citizenship," in addition to the fact that their number is growing as several have fled the Polisario-controlled camps in southwestern Algeria.

He also called the Spanish public opinion to take into account these historical fact and to renounce the stereotypes and cliches about Morocco. Likewise, he went on, various Spanish political forces, particularly the government, ought to support and contribute to a final solution of the problem.

Morocco is entirely ready to contribute to the quest of an international solution to the problem as part of its attachment to its territorial integrity and total national sovereignty, he stressed.

After he recalled that Morocco has accepted a solution which provides for "delegating some prerogatives to the southern provinces inhabitants," he wished that Madrid will contribute to efforts to be made over the coming months to reach a settlement and said he is convinced that Spain cannot continue to adopt a static and negative attitude.

Given Spain's historical role, its weight in the regional and its responsibilities within the UN security council of which Spain will become a member in beginning of 2003, Spain will spare no effort to support efforts to study future proposals, he insisted.