Morocco has all assets to play leading role in Mideast peace process, minister
Moroccan Communication Minister Larbi Messari said Morocco has all the assets to play a leading role in the Middle East peace process, "due to the wise policy of King Hassan II."
In an interview with the London-Based daily Asharq Al-Awsat, published Saturday, the minister who was asked about Morocco's role in the region following the death of King Hussein of Jordan, said Morocco's contribution to this issue is not linked to the demise of a major actor on the regional scene.
He further explained that the Kingdom cannot play any role in the short-term, as the country's external policy only intervenes when success is secured.
He went on that Morocco's policy is marked by the choices of the king, who has made of Rabat a capital open onto all Arab and international capitals and by the relations of trust between King Hassan II and other world leaders. He added that Morocco has maintained relationships with all countries of the region, including Israel, which respect the sovereign's advice and Moroccan initiatives.
The same relations of trust also exist with Palestinian leaders, in view of the brotherly ties existing between the Moroccan and Palestinian heads of state, he added before stressing that the Palestinians are well aware that Morocco supports their causes and is endeavoring for a fair and lasting peace in the region.
The daily also interviewed Abdelhadi Boutaleb, a renowned historiographer and a member of the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco, who said he believes that Morocco will maintain its leading role in the region as its stances regarding the Israeli occupation of Palestine, the Golan Heights and southern Lebanon are principles stemming from a patriotic feeling shared by other Arab states.
Boutaleb stressed that King Hassan II has a realistic vision of problems and a large capacity to overcome and settle them.
He also explained that Moroccan and Jordanian motives regarding the Middle East problem are different in that Morocco is driven by pure patriotism while Jordan was seeking to free its occupied territories.
He went on that Morocco's position is different in that some 600,000 Moroccan Jews are living in Israel and are still attached to their double identity. This community has also an influence on Israel's policy, he said.
