Morocco's Islamist party criticizes government inability to deal with vital issues

Morocco's sole authorized Islamist party, Party of Justice and Development (PJD- 42 seats in parliament), has criticized the Moroccan government's inability to deal with "vital fields."

"The government is still showing inability to deal with vital fields such as medical coverage and some socio-economic projects," said PJD's secretary general, Saâdeddine Othmani, as reported by "Attajdid" daily.

In a release published recently, PJD also deplored the lack of foresight in the political map, calling for the re-activation of reforms.

Othmani added that his party "received no proposals to be part of the government," noting that if the party had received such a proposal, it would have transmitted it to PJD's national council to take the appropriate decision.

On relations between the Islamist party and the Socialist Union for Popular Forces (USFP- main party in the government coalition), Othmani said relations "have improved."

The two political parties "don't need to meet in secret," he underscored, in response to press reports saying the two parties are endeavouring to normalize relations behind the scenes.

"We hold meetings with USFP, the way we do with all other political parties," he stressed.

Relations between the two parties have been strained after USFP accused JDP of "obscurantist campaigns" in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Casablanca that were strongly condemned by JDP. The attacks, perpetrated in May 2003, claimed the lives of 45 people, including 12 suicide bombers.