Moroccan-Algerian relations depend on psychological factors, official says

Relations between Morocco and Algeria depend more on "psychological factors" than on political ones which can be identified clearly, said Moroccan communication Minister Larbi Messari.

In statements published by the Egyptian Al Ahram, the minister explained that when Morocco enforced entry visas on Algerians (following the 1994 attempt against a luxury hotel in Marrakesh, killing two Spanish tourists), the Algerian authorities overreacted and closed down the land borders, creating a situation that evidently affects relations between the two north African countries.

Messari who noted that surprisingly enough, borders between the two states have been opened for only eight years since the independence of Algeria and remained closed for the rest of the time, recalled that the Moroccan prime minister, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, has tried to settle the issue, by calling for the reopening of borders to facilitate contacts between them.

He added that Youssoufi is driven by his sensibility as a militant and as a former leader of Morocco's liberation army who perfectly knows that the Algerian liberation army was born under the same inspiration and with the same orientations and that the blood of the two nations was shed for the same struggle. Faithfulness to common ideals is the motive that led the Moroccan prime minister to try to undo the knot, Messari said.

To a question on Algeria's response to this initiative, he answered that while the Algerian media described this move as a "maneuver," the authorities argue that the issue should be handled in a global manner. He added that political issues addressed by politicians in the two states will not have any impact on populations who will certainly welcome the opening of borders between them.