Youssoufi calls for rapid opening of borders with Algeria

Moroccan Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi hailed the Moroccan-Algerian detente and called for a rapid reopening of common borders.

In a statement to "L'agence Sonore Internationale" that was reproduced by Radio France Internationale, Youssoufi expressed hope that the Moroccan-Algerian rapprochement will not be delayed and that the common borders will be reopened.

Youssoufi, who has been leading a Moroccan center-left coalition government since March 1998, has repeatedly called for the reopening of Moroccan-Algerian borders, closed down in 1994 following a Moroccan decision of impose entry visas to Algerians. Morocco had taken the decision after evidence showed the involvement of Algerian-born French nationals in a terrorist attack against a hotel in Marrakesh, killing two Spanish tourists.

But Algerian-Moroccan relations started to improve in the few past months, especially following the coming to power in Algiers of Abdelaziz Bouteflika last April. Bouteflika was scheduled to meet shortly with the late King Hassan II to translate the detente into a tangible reality, but the demise last week of the Moroccan king prevented such much-awaited summit.

During the funerals of the late King Hassan II, held last Sunday in Rabat, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika voiced determination to work hand in hand with King Mohammed Ben Al-Hassan to go ahead with the promotion of Moroccan-Algerian relations.

In his statements to RFI, the Moroccan prime minister also insisted that Morocco will respect the date set by the United Nations for the holding of the self-determination referendum in the Sahara, ie. July 20, 2000.

"The sole condition that we set forth is that all Sahrawis be given their right to vote in the referendum," Youssoufi underlined.