FOM Newsletter September 2002
Morocco Week in Review September 21 2002 

Out of an overall 14,023,604 electors, women stand for 49% (6,877,000), Moroccan weekly "La Vie Economique" said, quoting the ministry of the interior. Some 62% of the electors are unemployed, and 43% never went to school, the weekly added.  On the Moroccan electors age, the paper said more than half are under 40, while 3,575,881 are between 20 and 30 years old. Some 3,780,741 are aged between 31 and 40, 2,913,704 are 41-50 years old, and 3,753,278 are aged above 50.  The campaign will kick off Saturday at midnight to end on September 26 at the same hour.

-US Congress Group Holds 1st Meeting on Free-Trade Agreements with Foreign Countries

WASHINGTON, Sept.20 - As negotiations between Morocco and the USA for the creation of a free-trade zone are set to start next fall, the newly-set up congressional oversight group held on Thursday its first meeting to look into negotiations of free trade agreements with Morocco and some central American countries.  US trade representative, Robert Zoellick, came to the Capitol to meet with the Group, a panel created in the 2002 trade bill to allow House and Senate members to consult with the administration on trade negotiations.  In a letter sent last August 23 to the Congress, Zoellick said it is crucial to move forward in setting in place panels in charge of assisting the administration in the negotiations process.  The project to conclude a Morocco-US free trade agreement was officially announced last April during a visit by King Mohammed VI to Washington. Similar agreements with Singapore and Chile could be signed in the beginning of 2003, said Zoellick.

President Bush Voices Gratefulness to Morocco for Valuable Contribution to Anti-Terror Fight

RABAT, Sept. 19 - President George W. Bush has voiced the gratefulness of the American people to H.M. King Mohammed VI and to the Moroccan people for their "valuable contribution to the campaign to free the world of terrorism." This came in a message of thanks President Bush sent to H.M. King Mohammed VI on the occasion of the commemoration of the first anniversary of the tragic terror attack of September 11.  "The American people are profoundly grateful to you and the people of Morocco for your valuable contributions to the campaign to free the world of terrorism. Our two nations have strong bonds of friendship. These bonds have been tested and strengthened over many years, and now, we join together to fight a network of trained killers," wrote the US President.  "Morocco's decision to ally itself firmly with the cause of tolerance and understanding means we will work together to build a world that values its people and gives them a future of freedom and hope," President Bush stated. "The United States was directly attacked last September 11, but terrorism threatens the people of Morocco as well as Americans. We are particularly grateful for your contribution to peace, freedom, and prosperity. With perseverance and courage, we can reach these shared goals together." © MAP 2002

The number of pupils newly enrolled in public schools for the 2002-2003 school year reached 707,000, marking a 5% rise compared to the 2001-2002 school year, Morocco's ministry of education said.  The number of pupils enrolled in public schools in rural areas reached 413,987, scoring a 7% rise in comparison with last year while in cities, the number of newly-enrolled pupils grew by 3%.  Concerning private schools, some 47,000 pupils enrolled in the first year, scoring a 5% rise in comparison with 2001-2002. To ensure universal access to schooling , the ministry of education said some 4,255 primary education classrooms and some secondary education 528 classrooms were added. In addition, some 40,000 existing classrooms were refurbished.  The ministry goes on that education programs have been revised and adapted, and the evaluation and orientation systems developed, with a special emphasis on language teaching. Every school will have a classroom connected to the internet and some 600 connected rooms will be added annually, the ministry said.

Morocco and FAO sign US$ 300,000 Convention for Bovine TB Control

Morocco and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) signed on Friday a USD 300,000-worth convention to help Morocco set forth a nationwide strategy to control bovine tuberculosis. The FAO will help the Moroccan government draw and implement a strategy to fight bovine tuberculosis. An official from the ministry of agriculture, rural development, water and forests stressed at the signing ceremony that the FAO assistance will help assess the epidemiological situation of the disease in the country, improve data analysis technical capacities, reconsider the present bovines identification system and propose means to improve the ability to trace affected animals. It will also help improve the technical capacities of diagnosis, research and veterinary services and promote breeders' awareness on the disease and preventive measures.  The FAO funds will be used to hire an international consultant specialized in bovine tuberculosis surveillance and control and an expert in diagnosis in addition to buying equipment and paying for training fees.  Morocco and FAO have signed this year a total of six conventions worth US$ 1.7 million.

According to Al-Hayat newspaper (September 12, 2002), the World Bank announced allocating $20 million to support small and medium-scale enterprises in 3 north African states: Morocco, Algeria and Egypt. A statement released by the World Bank showed that this aid, which is also contributed by the International Financing Corporation , aims to improve the financing conditions of the small and medium-scale enterprises. These enterprises constitute 80% of the economic infrastructure of North Africa. These enterprises suffer from financing difficulties. Copyright 2002. All Rights Reserved.

Nairobi - Foreign investment flows to Africa almost doubled in 2001 to $17bn, mainly due to large deals in Morocco and South Africa, a UN report released on Tuesday said. "Most of that increase is due to a few large investment deals in South Africa and Morocco," the annual United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report said.  "For many other countries on the continent inflows fluctuated only slightly, although they were higher than in the early 1990s." Africa attracted $9bn in 2000. The world's poorest continent ran counter to the global trend in 2001, where Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows fell by 51% to $735m, largely due to widespread recession in industrialized countries. Flows to north Africa jumped by 83% to $5.3bn. The lion's share went to Morocco, where flows rose to $2.3bn from $200m last year, mainly due to the sale of local telecom operator Maroc-Telecom, the report said. The firm sold a 35% stake to France's Vivendi Universal. In sub-Saharan Africa, investment flows overshot the $10bn mark for the first time ever, reaching $11.8bn. "This is largely the result of an unbundling of cross-share holdings involving London-listed Anglo American and De Beers of South Africa," the report said. "Angola, with $240m in petroleum-related FDI, saw by far the largest jump, to more than $1.1bn, keeping its ranking as the largest recipient among African LDCs (Least Developed Countries)," the report said. Cote d'Ivoire received $257m, while Mozambique, Uganda and Tanzania all topped $200m. Kenya, the largest economy in east and central Africa, was not listed in the report but UN officials who issued the report told reporters FDI inflows to the country remained stable at 0.2% of the continent's total inflows.  Investment flows to Africa are traced from the United States, France and the United Kingdom, the report said. More than 60 percent of US flows went into the oil sector, while UK firms were active in banking, trading and finance.

http://www.news24.com/News24/Finance/Economy/0,4186,2-8-25_1258896,00.html 

RABAT, 17 Sept. - The Moroccan agriculture department has announced a package of measures to ensure the unfolding in sound conditions of the new agricultural season. The measures embrace a wide range of sectors, including irrigation, livestock, fertilizers, financial support to farmers, mechanization and others. The measures are meant to comfort moves made over the two past years to curb the effects of drought and help alleviate the over-indebtedness of farmers, the department said.  Agriculture is a backbone of the Moroccan economy, contributing nearly 20 percent to the country's GDP and employing half of a ten-million workforce.  The sector is handicapped by a recurrent drought that has become almost a structural problem.

MARRAKESH, Sept.17 - A Euro-Mediterranean conference on "Large scale integration of renewable energies in South and East Mediterranean Countries" will take place in Marrakesh this September 20. The conference will ponder on results scored by the concerned countries in matters of renewable energies and will examine measures and actions to be made to promote the integration of renewable energies in energy policies mainly in the countries of the southern shore of the Mediterranean. The conference, initiated by the Mediterranean Energy Observatory (OME), The European Commission and the Moroccan center for the development of renewable energies (CDER), will bring together in addition to delegates of partner countries, projects promoters, high-level decision-makers and representatives of financial institutions such as the European Investment Bank, the world Bank and private banks.

CASABLANCA, 19 Sept. - The German Financial Institution KFW has loaned the Moroccan Power Company (ONE/state-owned) 50 million Euros to co-fund a 60 mw wind power park in Essaouira, 450 km south of Rabat. A tender will be launched in 2003 for the construction of the park that will cost 82.5 million Euros. It will start operating in 2005. Morocco already operates two wind power plants in the north. Located in Tangiers, the plants have a 140 mw and 54 mw capacity each. The Essaouira plant will bring Morocco's wind power capacity to 250 mw, which will contribute to increasing to 5 percent the share of wind power to the country's power production. © MAP 2001

Morocco at the Vanguard of Arab World Democratization, US Academics  

Morocco at the vanguard of the process of democratization in the Arab world, said US experts from the Washington State University, also executives of the Center for Women and Democracy (CWD). Morocco is a model for the Arab world which is "following closely what is happening in the kingdom", said head of the CWD, Christine Di Stefano, and the center's political advisor and board member, Cathy Allen. In a statement before flying to Morocco, where they will monitor the September 27 polls, the academics emphasized the transformations the country is undergoing under the leadership of its "reformist sovereign", King Mohammed VI. The CWD executives granted a particular importance to the seats reserved by political parties to women. © MAP 2001

Morocco is a model of democratic transition and of stability in the Maghreb and in the Arab world at large, said Monday Ms. Maryam Montague, Resident Director of the National Democratic Institute (NDI).  The elections Morocco will hold on September 27 are "very important" and "crucial," she said at the opening of a five-day workshop for Moroccan TV and Radio journalists on election coverage, sponsored by the NDI and the British embassy in Morocco.  Ms. Montague, who called for the Moroccan journalists to fully play their role in fostering the citizens' awareness, said the workshop seeks to consolidate the democratic values in Morocco. "The Moroccan media are today stronger, more professional and more robust," said British ambassador to Morocco, Haydon Warren Cash, who added "they are proving to be an important tool for consolidating democracy." The workshop, which runs until September 20, is tailored for Radio and TV journalists and is looking at how to make election-related news stories accessible and relevant. Experts from South Africa and Canada are working with journalists from RTM, 2M and other stations on effective presentation of stories. The workshop is focusing on reporting of the election campaign and is using women candidates as practical case studies.

AGADIR, Sep.16 - The project of the Argan Bay Station was presented Saturday to a delegation of journalists from Morocco and abroad. Minister of economy, finance, privatization and tourism, Fathallah Oulaalou, briefed journalists on the US$ 180 million project. The compound will include 35 hotels, with 19,760 beds. A third of the hotels will be five stars, another third four stars, and the remaining third will be made up of villas and residences that will offer 5,100 beds. Some 260,000 m² will be dedicated to entertainment and shopping areas. The station is divided into 6 villages, "The Casbah with its Magic Lake", "The River with its Dunes and Palace", "the Blue Lagoon and its Lakeside Village", "the Marina and its Suspended Gardens", "the Golf Hill and its Residential Villages" and "the Golf Hill and Argan Tree Museum." The project will be completed over six years. Works will start next June 2003.  Once completed, the station will generate 20,000 direct and 200,000 indirect jobs. The promotion campaigns will mainly target European markets, Oulaalou said. Morocco has set a target of annual 10 million tourists by 2010. The press and tour operators who visited the future compound station come from Germany, Austria, Belgium, France, Britain, Poland, Netherlands, Russia, Switzerland and Czechoslovakia.

RABAT, Sept.14 - A total of 1.32 million Moroccan expatriates have spent their summer holidays in Morocco, with some 83% preferring to drive and take a ferry boat back home, says the Mohammed V solidarity foundation which has been supervising the operation running between June 14 and September 10. The foundation said in a statement released Friday that H.M. King Mohammed VI has once again evidenced his solicitude towards the Moroccan community settled abroad by personally visiting one of the foundation's sites and inquiring about preparations to welcome them and extend them the needed services and assistance. Out of the 1,320,000 Moroccans who came to spend their summer holidays in Morocco, 2/3 arrived in July. Over 83% preferred to take one of the daily ferry boats that link Morocco to European ports while the number of vehicles rose by 7%. The rest came to Morocco by plane.  The increase use of the maritime route is ascribed to the new line servicing Tangiers (Morocco) and Genoa (Italy) and the additional shuttles in the existing lines, with daily arrivals reaching some days a peak number of 40,000 persons. Regarding the breakdown according to arrival ports, Tangiers ranks first with 50% of arrivals, followed by the ports of Nador and Bab Sebta which received an equal number of expatriates (more than 200,000), while 50% of expatriates who chose to fly landed in the Casablanca airport in which the foundation opened for the first time a center.  

The foundation which has centers both in Morocco and in Europe (Sete, Almeria and Algesiras) has for the first time opened a center in Genoa (in Italy) and has also improved its network in Morocco with a new rest area near Asilah, in addition to the existing rest areas of Tangiers, Nador, Casablanca, Bab Sebta, Larache and Taourirt. A total of 714 agents were mobilized, including 422 social workers, 62 medical doctors, medicaids and other volunteers. Some 20,783 persons benefited from the foundation's assistance which consisted in medical care for 4,250 persons, financial support to families that were robbed or that lost their money, evacuation of injured people, repatriation of corpses and support to families following road accidents, assistance in transport for people following buses breakdown and assistance in administrative procedures.  These actions were supported by an information campaign that consisted in holding meetings with the Moroccan community living abroad, distribution of guides, brochures, posters, newsletters in several European countries and the broadcasting of TV spots.  Some problems marred this operation as a result of the non-professionalism of some Moroccan and foreign land transport operators and a peak reached in the second week of August as people wanting to return to their host country exceeded the capacity of ships servicing the route, the release said.

RABAT, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Morocco's trade balance continued to improve in July registering a deficit of 21.27 billion dirhams ($1.97 billion), down 21.4 percent from a year earlier. Exports at the end of July rose 10.9 percent in value to 50.97 billion dirhams for a 7.8 percent rise in volume. Imports inched down 1.1 percent to 72.24 billion dirhams for a 1.6 percent rise in volume, the state foreign trade regulatory Office de Changes said in a report.  The cover ratio of exports to imports rose to 70.6 percent from 62.9 percent in July 2001.  The office attributed the rise in exports to phosphates, its by-products and foodstuffs, and the drop in imports to a 14 percent decline in energy imports bill.  The volume of crude oil imports at the end of July remained almost stable at 3.77 million tonnes, it said.  The European Union is Morocco's main trade partner accounting for nearly two-thirds of its foreign trade.  ((Rabat newsroom, +212-37 720065 fax +212-37 722499, rabat.newsroom@reuters.com )) ($1=10.804 Moroccan dirhams)

A total of 5,865 candidates included in 1,744 lists are running for this September 27 elections to renew the House of Representatives, lower chamber of parliament, said Saturday interior minister, Driss Jettou. The lists represent 26 political parties while candidates who are not member of any political party are included in five lists. Only two political parties are not running for elections while two parties, the USFP -- socialist union of popular forces -- and the Istiqlal party have candidates in 97 electoral constituencies, he said. Of women's participation, the minister said the number of women candidates stands at 226, accounting for 5% of candidates. A total of 47 women are running as heads of lists. Some parties included men in "national lists" which are meant to ensure at least a 10% presence of women in the house of representatives. Those are the social democratic movement (8 men), the national democrat party (5 men), the constitutional union (3 men) and the democratic union (6 men).  Out of the 5,865 candidates, 47% have a university education, 27% a high school level and only 3% did not receive any education. For women candidates, the percentage of candidates with a university degree stands at 64%, 27 have a high school education level, 6% have attended primary school and 3% do not have any education. In the age breakdown, over one third of candidates are aged less than 40 years, while over 50-year olds represent a little more than 25% and 75 % are aged between 23 and 50 years.  A total of 253 candidates are political personalities, including 7 party leaders and 9 ministers. While the smallest number of lists was recorded in the constituency of Assa-Zag (8 lists), the constituency of Meknes-El Menzah is the one with the largest number of competing lists with 27 lists.

Names and history of 26 Parties running for September 27 polls

26 parties are running for the September 27 polls to elect the 325 members of the House of Representatives (lower chamber of the Moroccan). Some of these parties are nearly 60 year old while others are new born. Three out of the 26 parties on the lists were set up before the country's independence in 1955. The first of these is the Moroccan Communist Party (PCM) that was set up in 1943, banned in 1952, before reemerging in 1969 under the name of "the Party of Liberation and Socialism" (PLS). The party was legally authorized in 1974 under the name of "the Party for Progress and Socialism" (PPS).  Coming next is the Istiqlal Party (PI) that was set up in 1944 and then the Choura and Independence Party (PDI) created in 1946. Twelve parties were created between 1956 and 1999 while eleven parties came into being with the advent of the new millenium. Seven out of these eleven were created less than a year ago while one party was set up two months ago. The first party to have been set up after the independence is the Popular Movement (1959). It will be followed eight years later by the Popular Democratic and Constitutional Party (1967) that will be later on renamed Party of Justice and Development" (PJD). Besides the PPS that was legally authorized in 1974, three parties were born in the seventies. These are the Action Party (PA/1974), the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) that stemmed in 1975 from the National Union of Popular Forces (UNFP/1959) and the national Rally of independents (RNI/1978).

Three new political parties came into being in the eighties, namely the National Democrat Party (PND) in 1981, the Constitutional Union (UC) in 1983, and the Party of the Social Center (PCS) in 1984. Four other parties were set up in the nineties. These are the National Popular Movement (MNP) in 1991, the Social Democrat Movement (MDS/1996), the Socialist Democratic Party (PSD/1996), and the Party of the Democratic Forces Front (FFD/1997). The four parties created in 2001 are the Democratic Union (UD), the Party of Citizen Forces (PFC), the National Ittihadi Congress (CNI) and the Party of Reform and Development (PRD). 2002 was marked by the creation of six new parties the Alliance of Freedoms (ADL), Citizenship Initiatives for Development (ICD), the Party of Renewal and Equity (PRE), Al Ahd Party, the Party of Environment and Development (PED), and The Moroccan Liberal Party (PML). The Party of the Unified Socialist Left (PGSU) is the most recently created party which is only two-month old. It is the result of a fusion between the Organization of Democratic and Popular Action (OADP), the Movement of Independent Democrats (MDI) and the Movement for Democracy (MPD). Only sixteen parties had participated in the latest polls held in November 1997. With the exception of the MPD, all the participating parties gleaned seats at the House of Representatives, their number ranging between one seat for the Choura and Independence Party to 57 seats for the USFP. Seven out of these parties (USFP, PI, PPS, RNI, MNP, PSD and FFD) formed in 1998 a socialist-led coalition government, bringing to power a center-left cabinet after some 40 years of right-wing rule.

Minister hails initiative to create elections watchdog association

Moroccan interior minister, Driss Jettou, hailed at a press conference Saturday the initiative taken by a group of non-governmental associations to set up an association to follow up elections as "an excellent initiative likely to lend more credibility" to this September 27 elections.  He told reporters he held recently a meeting with member of this association to exchange "in total frankness" viewpoints on preparations for the elections.  The association briefed the minister on its activities and working methods and requested arrangements to fulfill their observation duty. After he pointed out that elections observation is regulated by legal provisions, he voiced readiness to examine any proposal in order to reach with the association a formula that does not breach the law.  He went on that this meeting reflects the keenness of the administration, political parties and the civil society that elections be transparent and credible.  The association was set up by a group of some twenty associations active in local development, women, youth and culture to foster citizens' awareness and involvement in the electoral process

RABAT, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Morocco launched a Web site on Monday with information about next week's parliamentary elections to promote greater openness in a country with a history of flawed polls. Web site http://www.elections2002.ma  . The elections will be the first under reform-minded King Mohammed and are seen as a test of the conservative Muslim country's cautious moves towards democracy. "It's the first time that the Interior Ministry has opened such an electronic window in Arabic and French on election proceedings," a ministry official said.  He said the Web site would have information on parties and candidates, and other data as well live results of the September 27 polls. The North African country has conducted six legislative elections since independence from France in 1956 with the last one in 1997. The opposition and human rights groups say all the polls were tainted by fraud.  King Mohammed, 39, was crowned in 1999 after the death of his father King Hassan, who ruled the country with an iron hand for almost 38 years. "Such a Web site signals the authorities' will for transparency and fairness in the elections in order to improve Morocco's image abroad," said political analyst Mohamed Darif.  Morocco has about two million Internet users, according to official figures About half the country's 30 million people are illiterate. The polls will see 14 million registered voters elect 325 members of the lower house of parliament. Twenty six parties have fielded a total of 5,865 candidates.

Morocco launched a Web site on Monday with information about next week's parliamentary elections to promote greater openness in a country with a history of flawed polls. The elections will be the first under reform-minded King Mohammed and are seen as a test of the conservative Muslim country's cautious moves toward democracy. "It's the first time that the Interior Ministry has opened such an electronic window in Arabic and French on election proceedings," a ministry official said. He said the Web site <http://www.elections2002.ma.> would have information on parties and candidates, and other data as well as live results of the September 27 polls. --Reuters

BORDEAUX, France, Sept 15 (AFP) - French police said Sunday they had arrested nearly a dozen people at the weekend in connection with smuggling cocaine and cannabis from Morocco through Spain to southwestern France. Eight people were detained in the southwestern French city of Bordeaux, including at least three drug dealers and middlemen, while three others were taken into custody in the southern Spanish city of Malaga. Among those detained in Spain was the alleged ringleader, a 50-year-old Bordeaux resident who escaped from a prison outside the French city in 1996. The Franco-Spanish police operation, which had been investigating the drug ring since the start of the year, netted 150 kilos (330 pounds) of cannabis resin, one weapon, false identity papers and a large sum of cash. The drugs came from Morocco, were smuggled through Malaga and ended up for sale on the streets of Bordeaux. Police noted that more arrests could follow in connection with the operation, which they said had been up and running for two years.

RABAT, Sept.18 - The 2nd Marrakesh film festival opened this Wednesday becoming a major annual event highlighting the values of openness and tolerance and poised to become a space of encounter and dialogue among various artistic and cultural trends. Morocco, which already hosted the shooting of such renowned movies as Orson Welles' Othello, David Lean's Lawrence of Arabia, and Scorcese's Kundun, wants to promote its beautiful scenery and breathtaking landscape to attract more international movie productions. At the same time, efforts are made to develop Morocco's own motion picture industry.  "The festival is a privileged space for creativity, debates and pedagogy," Prince Moulay Rachid, who chairs the festival foundation wrote in an editorial of the official catalogue. The festival extends and expands this firm option of positive confrontation of ideas and enrichment through dialogue, the Prince said.  A host of artists are present in the festival, including Francis F. Coppola, who directed the famous trilogy (the Godfather I and II, Apocalypse Now) and David Lynch whose Elephant Man, Blue Velvet and Twin Peaks were highly ranked on the international cinema productions.  Scorcese, who was also scheduled to be present, will not attend as he is busy with the editing of his latest "Gang of New York". He has, however, promised to be in Morocco for the movie premiere. 

The ochre city is also welcoming other cinema stars like Egypt's Youssef  Chahin, who was already present in the first festival, Israeli Amos Gitai, Irish Neil Jordan and French Patrice Cehreau and Benoit Jacquot. A special tribute will be paid by the festival to the Iranian cinema and to Indian Aamir Khan, who produced and starred in "Laagan" which will be screened as part of "a view on Bollywodd" event. French actress Jeanne Moreau will be chairing the jury of the movies contest between movies from China, Bangladesh, Brazil, Japan, the UK and the USA. The jury of the short-movie contest will be chaired by Tunisian movie director Moufida Tadlali while Yamina Benguigui who obtained last year's grand prize for her "Inch'allah Dimanche" chairs the jury of a special contest held by the Francophone TV station "TV5" for the best movie of the south (Morocco, Tunisia, Chad, Lebanon, Algeria, Mauritania, Burkina Faso and Senegal).  The festival further schedules two colloquia on "powers and responsibilities of cinema", chaired by French writer and philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy, and "national cinema between creation and industry" to be chaired by Nicolas Seydous, CEO of Gaumont production company. © MAP 2002

BRUSSELS, Sep.17 - European Union's commissioner of education and culture, Viviane Reding, lauded Morocco's attachment to tolerance and peace, and the richness of its cultural heritage. In a statement she gave before flying to Marrakesh where she will attend the International Film Festival to open Wednesday, Reding underscored Morocco's efforts to promote international dialogue between the two shores of the Mediterranean, especially after the 9/11 events.  "In the same drive, Marrakesh International Film Festival offers a new opportunity for dialogue between civilizations, which is so important in the current juncture," the European official said adding that "what unites us is much deeper than what separates us."  Morocco is one of the rare countries in the Maghreb to have a genuine political will to back the motion picture industry, aware that it is an important tool of cultural diversity enrichment, Reding said. The EU, which shares the same values of openness and cultural diversity  "needs the Moroccan voice", she said, adding that this is the message she will reiterate in Marrakesh.  Viviane Reding will also give a speech at the festival opening ceremony of the colloquy on "national cinema between creation and industry."

Morocco Calls for International Support to African Development Initiative

NEW YORK, Sept.17 - Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, called on Monday the international community to extend increased support to the New Partnership for African Development Program (NEPAD) and urged the UN to play a central role in its success.  Speaking at the UN general assembly's top level meeting on the program, the head of the Moroccan diplomacy said the initiative, geared toward social, economic and political development of the continent will depend on "the political will of each African country to reflect it in its own national policy and prepare an environment conducive to sustainable development". 

The major challenge lies in adapting the world body's instruments and mechanisms to the programs and national priorities of concerned countries, he noted before stressing that international and regional financial  institutions which have cooperation and assistance mechanisms in the continent should also coordinate their efforts with the United Nations Organization. While, financing the program is a crucial aspect, he said, the major task of the United Nations is to defend Africa at fund-donors, enterprises and Ngos to promote new cooperation models based on partnership and shared responsibility.  For Morocco, he went on, the success of the NEPAD depends on international economic cooperation and improving African countries' access to the markets of rich countries in order to raise funds for economic and social development activities. Also, he insisted, the debts of most-heavily indebted countries should be written off or swapped into investments, as debt servicing continues to soak considerable funds of African countries. Benaissa commended the backing and commitment expressed by the G-8 (most developed nations), the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, hoping that this will reflect in new forms of cooperation and partnership.  Regarding Morocco, he said Morocco is committed to Africa's development and stability and has been contributing to the development and stability in Africa and to the peaceful settlement of conflicts. He cited, in this regard, the decision of King Mohammed VI to write off the debt of most-heavily indebted African countries and open the Moroccan markets to their market.  

Opening the debate on Monday, UN secretary general Kofi Annan stressed that the initiative could not be successful unless the continent achieves such goals as reducing poverty and hunger, as well as controlling HIV/AIDS.  After he welcomed the decision by the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) to adopt the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as the centrepiece of Africa's development agenda, Annan stressed "I believe there is a symbiotic relationship between NEPAD and the MDGs," while Africans will determine Africa's future, Annan said, the continent will also need the support of the developed world in an effort grounded in a sober and realistic assessment of what needs to be done. "In this age of globalization, even the richest and most powerful countries ignore the challenges and crises of other parts of the world at their own peril," he said. "At the same time, opportunities for growth and innovation exist everywhere - and all of us can benefit from each other's successes." © MAP 2002 

http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm 

RABAT, Sep.17 - Some 200,000 participants are expected at the 16th plenipotentiary conference of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), to be held in Marrakesh September 23-October 18. The participants, including telecom ministers from the 189 member countries and professionals from all over the world, will decide the future role of the organization, draw up a 5-year strategic and financial plan and elect a new leadership for the union. The meeting, held every four years, will feature September 28-30 an international forum on "information society: stakes and consequences", and a fair showcasing the latest innovations in new technologies as of September 23. Moroccan state secretary of posts, telecommunications and information technologies, Nasr Hajji, stressed at a press conference here Monday the importance of the international event, especially for Morocco, "the first Arab country to host the UIT's plenipotentiary conference." During the conference, the official said, Morocco will sign several partnership conventions with international firms for the set up of the Bouznika techno-pole. "The decisions to be made in Marrakesh will have direct or indirect repercussions on world consumers, which evidences the importance of the event", he said. The ITU was set up in Paris in 1865 as "Union Internationale des Télégraphes". It took its current name on January 1, 1934. The union, based in Geneva since 1948, works on normalization and development of telecommunications and radio-communications. © MAP 2002

RABAT, Sept 18 (AFP) - A Moroccan painter who is running in legislative elections on September 27 has decried the logos chosen by political parties to make it easier to identify them as "horrid" and "an insult to good taste", a newspaper wrote Wednesday.  Morocco's 26 political parties have selected a variety of logos -- ranging from animals to plants, the moon, a teapot and different body parts -- to make it easier for voters to recognise them. Half of the north African country's 14 million voters are illiterate. In an interview published Wednesday in Aujourd'hui Le Maroc, painter Abdellatif Zine, who is running for a seat in Mohammedia, 60 kilometers (36 miles) south of Rabat, described his own conservative National Democratic Party's logo -- a long key -- as "horrid. "But it's not the only one," the blighted artist said. "All the logos of our political parties distinguish themselves by insulting good taste," he lamented. "We seem ashamed to admit there are any artists in this country," said Zine. Moroccan artists are "marginalised," said Zine, vowing to "return them to the place in society they naturally deserve." He also promised voters that he would put his own artist's creativity at their service, without elaborating on how he would carry through on that promise. Campaigning began Saturday for the Moroccan election, in which voters will choose 325 lawmakers to sit in the lower House of Representatives of the country's two-chamber parliament.

RABAT, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Morocco has awarded a consortium led by U.S. management consultants McKinsey a tender to prepare the liberalization of the country's electricity sector, which generates an estimated annual turnover of $1.0 billion. A senior official at the energy ministry said the consortium, which includes Moroccan consulting firm Wafa Trust, would have to achieve two missions within six months. "The first mission aims at defining the sectoral plan of the liberalization with an agenda of the process and the second one aims at defining state utility ONE's new role under the new context of liberalization and assess its competitiveness," the official told Reuters. He was unable to say if authorities have set a deadline for the liberalization of the sector. State power monopoly ONE covers 100 percent of urban areas and aims to reach by 2006 an 83 percent electrification rate in rural areas from the current rate of about 50 percent by investing a total 7.2 billion dirhams ($673.3 million). ((Rabat newsroom, +212-37 720065 fax +212-37 722499,rabat.newsroom@reuters.com ))($1=10.693 Moroccan dirhams)

Francis F. Coppola receives gold star distinction at Marrakesh film festival

Leading American film director, Francis Ford Coppola, received on Wednesday "the Golden star" at the fanciful opening ceremony of the 2nd Marrakesh film festival which opened on Wednesday in this central Moroccan city. Coppola who directed such big movies as the Godfather (I, II and III), Apocalypse Now, Dracula and others received the award from French legendary actress Jeanne Moreau who is also chairing the festival's feature film jury. Welcomed on stage by a cheering audience, Coppola said he was very happy to return to Morocco "a country he loves" and thanked King Mohammed VI for this tribute paid to him in Morocco.  Designed to be the African version of Cannes Festival, the festival is also poised to become a major annual event highlighting the values of openness and tolerance and a space of encounters and dialogue among various artistic and cultural trends.  Morocco, which already hosted the shooting of such renowned movies as Orson Welles' Othello, David Lean's Lawrence of Arabia, and Scorcese's Kundun, wants to promote its beautiful scenery and landscape to attract more international movie productions. At the same time, efforts are made to develop Morocco's own motion picture industry.  In addition to Coppola, other Hollywood big stars are expected, including David Lynch whose Elephant Man, Blue Velvet and Twin Peaks were highly ranked on the international cinema productions. Scorcese, apologized from coming and said he is busy with the editing of his latest "Gang of New York." He has however promised to be in Morocco for the movie premiere. The ochre city is also welcoming other cinema stars like Egypt's Youssef Chahine who was already present in the first festival, Israeli Amos Gitai, Irish Neil Jordan and French Patrice Cehreau and Benoit Jacquot. A special tribute will be paid by the festival to the Iranian cinema and to Indian Aamir Khan, who produced and starred in "Laagan" which will be screened as part of "a view on Bollywood" event. The jury of the short-movie contest will be chaired by Tunisian movie director Moufida Tadlali while Yamina Benguigui who obtained last year's grand prize for her "Inch'allah Dimanche" chairs the jury of a special contest held by the Francophone TV station "TV5" for the best movie of the south (Morocco, Tunisia, Chad, Lebanon, Algeria, Mauritania, Burkina Faso  and Senegal).  The festival further schedules two colloquia on "powers and responsibilities of cinema," chaired by French writer and philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy, and "national cinema between creation and industry" to be chaired by Nicolas Seydous, CEO of Gaumont production company.

NEW YORK, Sept. 19 - Morocco was unanimously elected Thursday here President of the Group of 77 (G-77) plus China for 2003. The election was made upon a recommendation of the African Group at the United Nations. Moroccan Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister, Mohammed Benaissa, took the floor after the election to thank the African Group and other U.N. member countries for their trust and voiced Morocco's pledge to safeguard the unity of the G-77 and endeavor for the promotion of the Group's strategic interests.  During its mandate, Morocco will lead and speak on behalf of the Group within the U.N. on all issues pertaining to economic, social and environmental development.  Morocco will also defend the Group's interests with the international community and the Group of 8 (G-8).  The Kingdom takes up the Presidency from Venezuela. A ceremony for the passing over the Presidency will be held January 2003 at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The G-77 was established in 1964 by seventy-seven developing countries signatories of the "Joint Declaration of the Seventy-Seven Countries" issued at the end of the first session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva.  Although the membership of the G-77 has increased to 133 countries, the original name was retained because of its historic significance. As the largest Third World coalition in the United Nations, the Group of 77 provides the means for the developing world to articulate and promote its collective economic interests and enhance its joint negotiating capacity on all major international economic issues in the United Nations system, and promote economic and technical cooperation among developing countries. © MAP 2002

Scorsese: I regret not being able to come to Morocco, my favorite destination

US filmmaker Martin Scorsese voiced "deep regret" not to have been able to take part in the International Film Festival of Marrakesh, emblematic city of a country "which is incontestably my favorite destination." In a video message, cast Wednesday on the sidelines of a colloquy on "powers and responsibilities," Scorsese said he would have loved to be among "this distinguished gathering of world cinema people." Speaking on the theme of the encounter, "Taxi Driver" director stressed the "imminent role" of cinema people, whose "power," he said, consists of being "able to deal with crucial social-economic and political" issues with great "influence on the public opinion." Martin Scorsese could not take par in the second Marrakesh festival, being busy with the editing of his latest work "Gang of New York."

Return to Friends of Morocco Home Page