King Hassan calls for peace and dialogue in the Mediterranean

King Hassan II has called on mounting generations in the Mediterranean to opt for peace among peoples and for dialogue among cultures, religions and civilizations.

This came in a message the sovereign sent to participants in a colloquy on "Morocco-France: Military history and testimonies" held this June 17-19 in the French southern city of Montpelier, part of "Le Temps du Maroc en France," the yearlong event celebrating Morocco throughout France.

In his message, the king expressed hope that the gathering would contribute to sensitize the mounting generations so that they engage on the best paths, those of "peace between peoples, and dialogue between cultures, religions and civilizations."

He also expressed hope that this colloquy would provide opportunity to "ponder on the disasters and damages suffered by societies because of fanatic wars, such as the second world war."

"We are confident that this gathering will be an indirect call to renounce any fanaticism or extremism and an appeal to brotherhood and tolerance so that the Mediterranean remains a basin of civilizations radiance, for the cultural and economic well-being of societies," King Hassan II said.

He added the Mediterranean sea will not reach balance unless its two banks manage to understand each other, to know each other and to establish complementarity.

King Hassan II also pointed out that Morocco has been and remains a crossroads of civilizations, a land of coexistence and a meeting point of various cultures and exchange of ideas. The king underlined further the close link existing between the history of Morocco and that of other Mediterranean countries.

After he recalled that Morocco has vowed respect to democracy since this principle started to guide the cultural and political thought, the king said the topic of the colloquy deals with one of the aspects of this tradition that prompted Morocco to participate at the side of the allies for the defense of freedom and democracy.

He recalled in this respect the adaptation and coexistence qualities of the Moroccan soldier who participated, at the side of the Christian soldier, in the defense of freedom, while remaining attached to his creed.

The colloquy held this June 17-19 will hear presentations by Moroccan and French researchers and historians on various aspects of Moroccan-French military relations and the participation of Moroccan soldiers in the two world wars at the side of the allies. Outstanding figures will also make testimonies on this brotherhood in arms.

Part of "Le Temps du Maroc en France," Paris is playing host April 14 through September 5 to an exhibition on the Moroccan army called "Moroccan army, traditions and openness."

Compiled by the Moroccan Military History Association, the exhibition traces back the history of one of the oldest armies in the world. The event focuses on the period laying between the 19th century and the second world war. It was during that period that the Moroccan army was present worldwide both through its military role and through its civil and artistic expressions.

Important pavilions in the exhibition are devoted to the participation of Moroccan servicemen in the two world wars and to the openness and tolerance that marked the relationship between Moroccan and French troops.

These relations were confirmed when French president, Gen. De Gaulle, and the Late King Mohammed V exchanged prestigious decorations.

The exhibition also displays manuscripts dealing with the techniques, military arts and weapons making, an illustrated catalogue and items from various Moroccan and French museums.