Arabic News Weekly Edition for Morocco, 7/15/2002
Weekly Edition, Morocco - Week of July 15, 2002
- Update: Spanish forces withdraw from Morocco's island
The Spanish government has withdrawn its forces from the Moroccan Toaura/Leila islet, announced the official spokesman of the Moroccan ministry of foreign affairs and cooperation Saturday evening. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/20/2002 - Leading party wants Spain to deal with occupied Moroccan towns
The Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP/) ed by prime minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi) said dialogue with Spain should include all pending issues, including the Spanish colonial presence on the Moroccan coasts, particularly in the two occupied Moroccan northern towns of Sebta and Melilia. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/20/2002 - Morocco says islet still occupied by Spain
Moroccan secretary of state for foreign affairs and cooperation, Taib Fassi Fihri, noted Friday the Moroccan Mediterranean islet of Leila is still occupied by Spain, adding that in this situation Morocco will not start any negotiations. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/20/2002 - King Mohammed holds second phone talks with Powell Morocco-USA, Politics, 7/20/2002
- Spain offers dialogue with Morocco to find way out to islet crisis
Spanish prime minister, Jose Maria Aznar, stressed the importance of maintaining good relations with Morocco and offered "contacts" with the Moroccan authorities to find a way out to the crisis over the Moroccan Mediterranean islet of Leila. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/20/2002 - Saudi Arabia, Emirates, Bahrain side with Morocco in dispute with Spain
A spokesman for the UAE government said in a statement carried by the UAE news agency WAM that "the state of the United Arab Emirates affirms its backing to Morocco and sides with the kingdom in its demand for the withdrawal of Spanish forces from the Moroccan Leila islet." Regional-Morocco, Politics, 7/20/2002 - Leila islet crisis: it is blatant trickery, said Joe Bassano
Referring to the crisis between Morocco and Spain following the latter's military occupation of Leila island on Wednesday, Joe Bassano, leader of the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party, said that "Britain cannot negotiate in good faith with Spain" over Gibraltar. Morocco-UK, Politics, 7/20/2002 - London calls for peaceful settlement of Moroccan-Spanish crisis
The British government called on Thursday for a rapid and peaceful settlement of the Moroccan-Spanish crisis over the Leila islet. Morocco-UK, Politics, 7/20/2002 - EU has not taken any position on status of Leila islet
The European Union has not taken any position on the legal status of the Leila islet which was invaded on Wednesday by Spanish forces, said in Brussels Friday spokesman for the European Commission, Jonathan Faull. Morocco-European Union, Politics, 7/20/2002 - Ireland: Sahara issue has lasted too long
The Irish foreign minister said the Sahara issue has lasted for too long and that his country appreciates Morocco's availability, expressing hope that the issue would be settled quickly. Morocco-Ireland, Politics, 7/20/2002 - Japan donates to support rural development
It will serve to extend a training center for women in rural regions and purchase sewing, knitting and embroidery machines, buy eye-disease diagnosis devices, finance the refurbishment of classes and school canteens Morocco-Japan, Economics, 7/20/2002 - Morocco readies to host second summit of Mano River countries
Morocco is readying to sponsor for the second time another summit of the Mano river countries, under the auspices of King Mohammed VI, given the regional dimension of peace and security, said here Thursday Morocco's permanent delegate to the UN, Mohamed Bennouna. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 7/20/2002 - Pakistan Holds Talks with Morocco, Ukraine for Joint Ventures in Fertilizers
Pakistan government is in contact with Morocco and Ukraine for the initiation of joint ventures in the field of fertilizer production Morocco-Pakistan, Economics, 7/20/2002 - 300 participants expected in Morocco's 1st international cricket tournament
Chairman of the Moroccan royal cricket federation, Chakib Nejjar, told reporters the tournament prize is worth US$ 250,000. Morocco, Sports, 7/20/2002 - Morocco complains to Security Council about Spain's invasion of islet
Morocco called, in a memo to the UN Security Council, Spain's dawn invasion on Wednesday of the Mediterranean islet of Leila a "thoughtless and dangerous" act in a sensitive area in the Gibraltar strait. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/19/2002 - Morocco wants Spain out of invaded of islet
Benaissa likened Spain's occupation of the islet to "an act of war" and described the invasion as "a blatant violation of the form and essence of the Moroccan-Spanish treaty of friendship, neighborliness and cooperation, signed in 1991, and which provides for the respect of the independence of the two countries and for settling all disputes, whatever their nature and under whatever circumstances, through dialogue and peaceful means. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/19/2002 - Spain had accepted concrete efforts before invading Moroccan islet
Morocco said Spain had accepted, in phone talks, Moroccan offer to withdraw its six security agents deployed in the islet on the condition that Spain never sets foot again on the Islet soil. Few minutes later, Spain rescinded its commitment and invaded the islet. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/19/2002 - Libya wants to defuse Morocco's tension with Spain
Libya’s Leader of the Revolution Colonel Muammar al Qathafi has dispatched Secretary of the Gen. People's Committee for Foreign Liaison and International Cooperation, Abd al-Rahman Mohamed Shalkam, to Morocco and Spain in a bid to find a peaceful way out to the two countries' dispute over the Leila islet and avoid any escalation. Libya-Morocco, Politics, 7/19/2002 - Tunisia voices deep worry over Moroccan Leila islet situation
Tunisia has expressed this Thursday "deep worry" over the situation resulting from the occupation by Spanish forces of the Moroccan Leila islet. Tunisia-Morocco, Politics, 7/19/2002 - Washington contacts with Morocco and Spain for peaceful settlement of islet issue
The US Department of State said on Wednesday close consultations have been held with both sides (Morocco and Spain) over the Moroccan Mediterranean islet of Leila to reach a peaceful settlement. Morocco-USA, Politics, 7/19/2002 - Spanish representative acknowledges Morocco's right to claims on all territories occupied by spain
If Spain is claiming sovereignty over Gibraltar, it is logical that Morocco also lays claims on Sebta and Melilia and all other northern areas occupied by Spain, said Wednesday Spanish representative, Joan Puigcercos, of the opposition party Esquerra Republicana Per Catalunya. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/19/2002 - Senegal backs Morocco in dispute with Spain over Leila islet Morocco-Senegal, Politics, 7/19/2002
- King Mohammed congratulates Iraqi president on national day Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 7/19/2002
- Arab League chief heads to Madrid over Moroccan islet crisis
Arab League Secretary General, Amr Moussa, announced yesterday he would make a trip to Spain next Tuesday to discuss with Spanish officials the crisis over the Moroccan Leila islet. Regional-Morocco, Politics, 7/19/2002 - Historical proofs evidence Leila islet is Moroccan, researcher
There is an exchange of letters dating back to 1808, through which the British consul in Tangier was asking the Moroccan sultan's governor in Tetuan for authorization to let British ships put in in the island, said Bennouna, an expert in Moroccan-Spanish relations. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/19/2002 - 'Status quo' referred to by Spain is not mentioned anywhere, Says Journalist Zakia Daoud
The very geographical location of the Leila islet doesn't let room to any fallacy. The islet status is Moroccan. And given its very position in the sea, even a division of the territorial waters can not be raised, said Zakia Daoud, journalist and author of many books on the Maghreb. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/19/2002 - Tetuan governor: setting surveillance post in Leila islet is a mere security measure
The Islet is located in the administrative territory of Tetuan and more precisely in the rural commune of Taghramt, on the right bank of the Gibraltar strait inside Moroccan territorial waters, the wali said at a press conference. Morocco, Politics, 7/19/2002 - Moroccans protest Spain's invasion of Moroccan islet
Moroccans demonstrated this Thursday in capital city Rabat and in the northern city of Tetuan, to protest Spain's invasion of the Moroccan Leila islet. In Rabat, some 200 persons representing human rights, information and civil society associations demonstrated in front of Spain's embassy at the call of the Moroccan Human Rights Association (AMDH). Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/19/2002 - History confirms Leila islet is Moroccan territory, testimonies
Geographer Cala Galiano, head of the hydrographic department at the Spanish navy ministry, published on November 22, 1887 in the paper "Epoca" an article evidencing that the Leila islet was indeed Moroccan land. On December 3 of the same year, the Spanish Prime minister, Moret, made an unambiguous statement at the House of Representatives, that there was no doubt the islet was Moroccan. He reiterated the same statement before the upper house. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/18/2002 - Moroccan government condemns Spanish aggression of Moroccan islet
The Moroccan government strongly deplores and denounces the Spanish aggression on Moroccan territory and condemns the Spanish military deployment in front of Moroccan Mediterranean coast, said this Wednesday official spokesman of the Royal palace following an extraordinary session of the ministers council. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/18/2002 - King Mohammed sends message to Norwegian premier
Morocco's King Mohammed VI has sent Norwegian prime minister, Magne Kjell Bondevik, a message on the developments of the Sahara issue, mainly as regards the role of the UN Security Council. Morocco-Norway, Politics, 7/18/2002 - Annan concerned over evolutions in Moroccan-Spanish relations
UN secretary general, Kofi Annan, expressed concerns at the evolutions in Moroccan-Spanish relations. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/18/2002 - Spain's Llamazares: invasion of Leila islet smacks of colonialism
The Spanish left coalition "Izquierda Unida" on Wednesday openly condemned Spain's invasion of the Mediterranean islet of Leila as a move "resuscitating Spain's colonial and Africanist spirit of past centuries." Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/18/2002 - The Guardian: impossible not to side with the Moroccans over Leila islet
Commenting the latest developments of the Moroccan-Spanish crisis over the Mediterranean Leila Islet, British daily "the Guardian" said Tuesday "it is impossible not to side with the Moroccans, almost to the point of taking out temporary Moroccan citizenship." Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/18/2002 - Leila Islet Crisis: Paris calls for appeasement
France has voiced concern over "the current situation of tension" between Spain and Morocco, following the Spanish military intervention in the Moroccan Leila islet and expressed the wish for "appeasement." Morocco-France, Politics, 7/18/2002 - Speaker of Moroccan upper chamber meets Bahrain university president Morocco-Bahrain, Culture, 7/18/2002
- Moroccan and Algerian press over Moroccan-Spanish row over Leila islet
Moroccan daily "Al Ittihad Al Ishtiraki" criticized this Wednesday the Algerian media for having marked off from all other media in the Arab world, taking an anti-Moroccan stance in the Moroccan-Spanish crisis over the Mediterranean islet of Leila. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 7/18/2002 - Speaker of Belgian Walloon community parliament visits Morocco Morocco-Belgium, Politics, 7/18/2002
- Morocco's GDP up 6.5 percent in 2001,
The gross domestic product increased by some 6.5 percent following a 25 percent rise in agricultural production after two consecutive years of drought, said Seqqat when presenting to the sovereign a summary of the report. Morocco, Economics, 7/18/2002 - Athletics Stockholm Meet: Morocco's Goumri wins 5000 m race
Moroccan athlete Abderrahim Goumri won on Tuesday the 5000 m race at the athletics Stockholm meet, part of the IAAf grand prix. Morocco, Sports, 7/18/2002 - Islamic Development Bank loans Morocco $ 7.33 million
Morocco and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) signed Tuesday in Rabat two loan and guarantee agreements worth US$ 7.33 million (78 millions DH). Morocco, Economics, 7/18/2002 - Morocco expects Spain's immediate unconditional withdrawal from Leila islet
helicopters of the Spanish army supported by several gunboats, landed on the Moroccan islet of Leila, violating Morocco's air space and territorial waters. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/17/2002 - Spain calls back its ambassador to Morocco over Leila islet crisis
The Spanish government has recalled its ambassador in Morocco for consultations, announced on Tuesday night the Spanish foreign department. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/17/2002 - Leila Islet: Organization of Islamic Conference, Arab League Voice Solidarity with Morocco
Several Arab and Islamic organizations have voiced solidarity and support to Morocco in the crisis that broke out with Spain after Morocco opened a surveillance post on the Mediterranean islet of Leila. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 7/17/2002 - France can help Morocco, Spain settle dispute over Leila islet
France has "a vocation to play a moderating role" with Morocco and Spain "which are two very close friends of France," said Tuesday French foreign minister, Dominique De Villepin, in remarks about the dispute that erupted after Morocco set up a surveillance post on the Mediterranean Leila Islet. Morocco-France, Politics, 7/17/2002 - Morocco renews commitment to fair and lasting political settlement to Sahara conflict
Morocco has renewed commitment to negotiate "a fair and lasting political settlement" to the Sahara issue on the basis of the UN draft framework agreement. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 7/17/2002 - Association of victims of Polisario human rights violations opens branch in spain
The association of victims of human rights violations by the Polisario opened on Monday an office in Algesiras (extreme southern Spain). Morocco, Politics, 7/17/2002 - Moroccan psychiatrist wins Sigmund Freud international prize
Moroccan psychiatrist-psychoanalyst Jalil Bennani was awarded the prestigious Sigmund Freud psychotherapy international prize of the city of Vienna, at a ceremony in Vienna this Tuesday, a statement by Morocco's embassy in Austria said. Morocco, Local, 7/17/2002 - Leila islet case: Morocco convinced dialogue is best path
The Moroccan government said on Monday that the deployment of security forces since July 11 on the Moroccan Mediterranean islet of Leila is a mere surveillance operation in a sensitive area and that the deployment will be maintained for the time being, adding it is convinced that dialogue is the best path to build the future of Moroccan-Spanish relations. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/16/2002 - Official statement on Morrocan Leila islet
"The Islet of Leila has always been part and parcel of the Moroccan territory. History is indeed full of facts evincing that the Islet is Moroccan territory. After the signing of the Moroccan-Spanish peace treaty of 1860 (which does not mention at all the islet of Leila), there were some Spanish incursions in the islet that were counteracted by Sultan Hassan 1st, as testified in the letters sent by the Sultan Hassan 1st to the Pacha of Tangiers on 26/11/1887, 28/09/1888 and 25/11/1892. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/16/2002 - Morocco's trade deficit alleviated by 27.9%
Morocco's trade deficit between January and May 2002 was worth 13.79 billion DH (US 1.3 billion), a decrease of 27.9% compared to the same period of 2001. Morocco, Economics, 7/16/2002 - Hassan II Cinema Grand Prix: Daoud Oulad Syad's Aoud Rih Wins
Daoud Oulad Syad's movie "Aoud Rih" won on Saturday the Hassan II Cinema prize, held in Rabat July 6-13 as part of the Rabat international festival. Regional-Morocco, Culture, 7/16/2002 - TVM: Saudi prince opens center for Andalusian studies and civilizations dialogue in Rabat
The prince told the Moroccan TV channel (TVM) Islam, a religion of tolerance that God revealed for the good of humanity, clearly preaches the rejection of terrorism and violence, calling intellectuals in the Islamic world to endeavor for a better clarification of Islam. Morocco-Saudi Arabia, Culture, 7/16/2002 - El Pais: Morocco wants to use Leila Island to fight terrorism
The official told Spanish wide-circulation daily "El Pais" that Morocco is not occupying this island, a 13.5 Hectares wide-land located less than 200 meters from the Moroccan Mediterranean coast at 40 KM east of Tangiers, because it is already part of its territory and does not belong to Spain. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/15/2002 - Royal wedding: henna ceremony held at royal palace in finest Moroccan tradition
To the beat of music performed by folk bands, and amidst you-yous and invocations blessing this happy event, Princess Lalla Salma stretched her hands to be decorated with patterns of henna, a blessed plant symbolizing happiness and love. Morocco, Local, 7/15/2002 - Bastad tennis tournament: Morocco's El Aynaoui defeated at finals Morocco, Sports, 7/15/2002