FOM Newsletter March 2004
Morocco Week in Review 
March 13 2004

US President Refers FTA with Morocco to Congress.
Spirit of Fez festival starts itinerary in 17 US cities.
U.S. Tour Operators Associations to Hold Council in Morocco.
Morocco seeks to attract more US tourists.
45% More Tourists Visited Morocco in January.
Large Swarms of Locusts Move from Mauritania to Morocco.
Christian Leaders Return from Surprising Visit to Islamic Morocco.
S&P says Morocco forex outlook positive.
Morocco's education ministry enters in partnership with civil society for human rights education.
Moroccan princess receives special prize from international Olympic committee.
World Conference on Women and Sport. 7 - 9 March 2004
Massive fish death in Sebou river due to lack of oxygen.
Morocco tough but Viggo Mortensen never complained.
FTA to increase US investments in "key ally" Morocco, Senator.
Washington Does Not Seek To Impose Reforms In Arab Countries, Ambassador.
FTA with US Not Part of Greater Middle East Initiative, Official.
FTA with US Was Not Imposed by Whomever, Moroccan Lead Negotiator.
New 5 Magnitude Quake Reported in Al-Hoceima Region
Government Adopts Decree Putting Quake-Orphans under State's Care
HM King Mohammed VI Visits School and Psycho-Social Support Center in Quake-Hit Imzouren
Belgium to Help in Building 200 Houses in Quake-Stricken Al Hoceima
WFP sends emergency relief to Morocco's earthquake victims.
Islamic Relief: Aid and School Reconstruction for Morocco Quake Survivors.
International Journalist Federation Relocates MENA Office in Morocco.
Moroccan speaker says Muslims paid high price following 9/11.
Morocco's January trade deficit at 4.0 bln dirhams.
Coastal fisheries receipts decrease by 11% end of October 2003.
Globalia to launch 2 weekly Fez-Madrid flights.

US President Refers FTA with Morocco to Congress.
WASHINGTON, Mar.09 - US president, George W. Bush, has referred the FTA sealed with Morocco last week to the Congress, consistent with the Trade Act of 2002, that requires that the US chief executive notices the congress within 90 days of plans to enter into free trade agreements with other countries.

"Morocco is one of the United States strongest friends in the Middle East. Increased trade will benefit Americans and help strengthen a tolerant, open, and more prosperous Morocco. Entering into an FTA with Morocco will not only strengthen our bilateral ties with this important ally, it will also advance my goal of a Middle East free trade area (MEFTA) within a decade", the US president said in statement released Monday.

"Consistent with the Trade Act, I am sending this notification at least 90 days in advance of signing the United States-Morocco FTA. My Administration looks forward to working with the Congress in developing appropriate legislation to approve and implement this free trade agreement", said President Bush.

After several rounds of negotiations since January 2003, Morocco and the United States concluded last Tuesday an FTA, which was first announced in April 2002 during a visit to Washington by HM King Mohammed VI.  The agreement was described by US officials as "a comprehensive and ground-breaking Free Trade Agreement (FTA) designed to strip away barriers and facilitate trade and investment between both countries." Morocco becomes the first African and the second Arab country, after Jordan, to conclude an FTA with the USA. © MAP 2004
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm
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Spirit of Fez festival starts itinerary in 17 US cities.
Morocco-USA, Culture, 3/9/2004

The annual Fez festival of sacred music premiered started on Saturday its 17-city outreach itinerary dubbed "the spirit of Fez" at the Library of Congress in Washington. http://friendsofmorocco.org/2004News/Jan04/fesschedule.htm

Part concert tour, part peace mission, the Spirit of Fez Festival is an ecumenical lineup of musicians from the Middle East and the United States who perform music from Muslim, Jewish and Christian traditions across 11 centuries. It also features women's voices: the Algerian Jewish singer Francoise Atlan, the seven-woman Hadra des Femmes de Taroudant from Morocco and the Anointed Jackson Sisters gospel singers from North Carolina.

The concert began with an invocation sung by Yacoub Hussein, a Palestinian musician living in the United States, and Gabriel Meyer, a rabbi's son from Argentina who now lives in Israel and directs the Sulha (reconciliation) Peace Project there. The concert's finale had all the musicians performing an American Indian song translated into English, Arabic, Hebrew and Spanish.  The Spirit of Fez tour was inspired by the annual Fez Festival of World Sacred Music, which takes place May 28 to June 5 in Fez, Morocco. That festival is now in its 10th year.

More than 30,000 people will get the chance to live an unprecedented experience of song and dance from the Christian, Jewish and Muslim traditions. Some of the world's most revered artists from across the globe will be present to promote the "Spirit of Fez."

The Festival of World Sacred Music held each June in the Moroccan spiritual capital city of Fez is designed to help people reach out across their differences to build bridges with diverse communities through the power of music and to produce evidence that in a world where globalization and politics are heightening tensions, which are rapidly destroying communities, art and culture are powerful catalysts for civic dialogue as they transcend geographic, cultural and social boundaries.

"Without peace, there can be no values," Royal advisor, Mohamed Kabbaj, told a conference held at the Library of Congress, before stressing the intrinsic link that exists between the cultural credo and the promotion of peace, economic and social development and governance. Kabbaj, who heads the Fez-Saiss association that spearheads the annual event, also highlighted the status of Morocco in facilitating dialogue.

For advisor to the World Bank president for development values and ethics, Katherine Marshall, the present period in human history is at the same time the best and the worst one, as two sides of the same coin are apparent: a side marked by concerns over insatiable profit-seeking and environment degradation and another side reflecting triumph over poverty, misery and diseases, the planet preservation and world peace. She stressed the importance of initiatives like the Fez festival of sacred music in the quest of a better future.

Introducing the festival goals, Faouzi Skalli, manager of the annual event, said it reflects the internal beauty of the world cultures and proposes to ponder on reason and heart in a way to make globalization more human.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/040309/2004030917.html
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U.S. Tour Operators Associations to Hold Council in Morocco.
WASHINGTON, Mar.06

The US Association of Travel agents (ASTA) will hold its administrative council March 9 in Marrakesh and the US Tour Operators Association (USTOA), which brings together the major businesses in the field, is scheduled to hold its council in Morocco in April.

Some 50 heads of regional associations of the travel industry across the US will take part in the meeting of ASTA, which musters over 2,000 members worldwide. The association's meeting will feature encounters and visits to be organized in partnership with the regional tourism council of Marrakesh. USTOA member-companies move more than 10 million passengers annually and account for an annual sales volume of more than $8 billion. The Moroccan tourism office hopes to place Morocco, with the two events, among the most privileged destinations in the US market. © MAP 2004
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/news/economy/eco_2111.htm
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Morocco seeks to attract more US tourists.
Mar 10, 2004 (Al-Bawaba via COMTEX)

The Moroccan Ministry of Tourism and the US Association of Travel Agents (ASTA) are drafting a new strategy to increase the amount of US tourist traffic to the Arab state, reported MAP. Morocco currently receives a mere 100,000 US tourists annually.  According to Morocco's Ministry of Tourism Adil Douiri, ASTA has chosen to hold its administrative council in Marrakech this week in order to promote Morocco as an ideal vacation spot. Some 2,000 members will attend the event.

Morocco received approximately 3.23 million tourists in the first ten months of 2003, a three percent drop compared to the same period last year. In a bid to attract 10 million tourists annually to Morocco by 2010, the government launched a media campaign in 2002 geared toward local and foreign companies, promoting a new initiative for the construction of six new seaside resorts along the Mediterranean and the Atlantic coasts. -
(menareport.com) By Mena Report Reporters  (C) 2004 Albawaba.com, All rights reserved.
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm?id=070w3630&section=Countries&page=Morocco&channel=All%20Morocco%20News&objectid=22403786-8F1A-11D4-867000D0B74A0D7C 
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45% More Tourists Visited Morocco in January.
RABAT, Mar.10

The number of tourists who visited Morocco in January 2004 reached 230,000, i.e. 45% more than in the same period of 2003, said the
Moroccan tourism department. The French top the list of arrivals with 67,000 tourists, which is a 38% rise in comparison with January 2003, followed by Spanish and German visitors (+49 and +6%).  The number of Moroccan expatriates who spent holidays in the homeland in
January reached 159,000, that is 78% higher than January 2003.
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/news/economy/eco_001.htm
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Large Swarms of Locusts Move from Mauritania to Morocco.
Local, 3/6/2004

Large swarms of locusts have been reported moving from Mauritania northward to Morocco, driven by strong south-west winds and some sparse individuals of the pest have been reported last February 19 in the north of the High Atlas, in El Jadida, Safi and Essaouira. Morocco's central coordination post of locust control says large swarms have reached the Draa valley (south) where they started laying eggs. The central coordination post also says it is carrying on prospecting and spraying operations against locust populations composed of groups of new
adults in the southern provinces (Laayoune and Dakhla).

Up to March 04, a total area of 119,000 ha was treated, including 111,600 by copters, in order to stop the advance of swarms and intercept them in desert zone so as to protect ecologically-vulnerable zones. The source also underlines that the used pesticides are among those recommended by the World Food and Agriculture Organization. The FAO had warned that several countries are experiencing an increasingly important upsurge of the locust activity, especially Mauritania and Morocco and more recently Algeria, Saudi Arabia and Sudan.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/040306/2004030615.html
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Christian Leaders Return from Surprising Visit to Islamic Morocco.
3/10/2004 Contact: Dane Rose of the National Clergy Council, 202-546-8329; E-mail:
danerose@faithandaction.org

WASHINGTON, March 10 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Rev. Rob Schenck, president of the National Clergy Council, returned Monday from a week-long visit to the Kingdom of Morocco where he was part of a delegation of conservative Christian leaders who met with high level Moroccan government officials on the question of religious freedom in the Islamic state. The delegation was hosted jointly by the Moroccan Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.  "We were delightfully surprised in many ways," said Rev. Schenck. "We addressed all the sensitive issues with candor and received unexpected responses from Moroccan officials. We also met with Muslim, Jewish and Christian religious leaders. Overall it proved to be a very positive experience." Rev. Schenck is available for further comment. http://www.usnewswire.com
/© 2004 U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=136-03102004
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S&P says Morocco forex outlook positive.
Posted: Monday, March 08, 2004

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said today it revised its foreign currency outlook on the Kingdom of Morocco to positive from stable. The
'BB/B' foreign currency and 'BBB/A-3' local currency ratings on Morocco were affirmed. The local currency outlook remains stable. "The revised foreign currency outlook reflects the strong improvement in Morocco's external liquidity, as well as an acceleration in structural reforms," said Standard & Poor's credit analyst Luc Marchand. Morocco's external position has been improving significantly in the past three years, thanks notably to a decrease in public sector external debt, sustained inflows of non-resident Moroccan remittances and privatisation receipts, and the stabilisation of the government's net borrowing requirement.

External liquidity has improved to a level that compares very favorably with peers. Central bank reserves in 2004 are expected to cover 930 per cent of the total gross external financing gap, compared with 105 per cent for the 'BB' median. The level of external liquidity is expected to be preserved thanks to a continuation of strong remittance inflows and economic recovery in the Eurozone, which is Morocco's main trading partner and main source of tourist receipts. Morocco's public sector is expected to record a net external asset position of 18 per cent of current account receipts in 2004, compared with a net debt position of 32 per cent for the 'BB' median.

The government has accelerated reforms that will reduce or partly offset key constraints on its credit standing, such as high (albeit gradually
decreasing) fiscal deficits and debt, a narrow economic base, and high unemployment. Most notably, reforms are targeting the restructuring of
public sector entities, economic liberalization, and measures to curb public expenditures. These reforms will permit a strengthening of fiscal consolidation and an acceleration of growth. As a result, the general government deficit is expected to decrease to about 4.0 per cent of GDP in 2004, compared with 4.3 per cent in 2003. The general government debt burden is expected to continue decreasing, to 73.7 per cent
of GDP in 2004, from 82.6 per cent in 2000.

Recent successes in privatisation, economic liberalisation and increased labour flexibility (through the adoption of a new labour code) should enable Morocco to maintain its external competitiveness. This remains crucial inorder to balance increased competition from the EU (with which Morocco has signed an Association Agreement) and from the US (with which Morocco is expected to sign a free trade agreement this year). The ratings on Morocco are also supported by its relatively stable political environment, which is undergoing liberalisation, and by prudent monetary policy. The positive foreign currency outlook reflects the prospects for a further decrease in public external debt, improved public sector expenditure control, and faster public sector reforms, which will accelerate fiscal consolidation and growth prospects.

The expected loss of tax revenues due to the implementation of the EU Association Agreement will need to be offset by equivalent spending cuts
(notably to fixed expenditures), improved tax collection, reduced subsidies, and accelerated privatisation. Standard & Poor's expects these policies to reduce the debt burden in the next few years. An upgrade is possible if proposed reforms significantly increase growth prospects and effectively reduce the still high proportion of fixed expenditures in the budget--in particular, the wage bill.
http://www.tradearabia.com/routes/sections/News.asp?Article=65521&Sn=ECO
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Morocco's education ministry enters in partnership with civil society for human rights education.
Education, 3/10/2004

The Moroccan education and youth ministry and a group of human rights-advocacy non-governmental organization signed a package of agreement
to promote human rights education in Moroccan schools. The signatory associations undertake to support the ministry's efforts to promote, within schools and vocational training institutes, education to the values of human rights, equality and citizenship. The government and associations will also collaborate in the training of teachers, schools staff and other pedagogical staff as well as in developing pedagogical clubs, considered as the appropriate framework for the practice of democracy and human rights respect.

Education and youth minister, Habib El-Malki, stressed that the government-civil society partnership is an indication to a renovated approach to the human rights and citizenship issues and an added-value to the government's strategy in the field. The minister also deplored that Moroccan school manuals are not yet adapted to human rights respect requirement called for setting up new mechanisms for the popularization of human rights values, stressing that schools should play their part in spreading democratic principles. The signatory organizations are AMDH (Moroccan human rights association), OMDH (Moroccan human rights organization), the Moroccan chapter of Amnesty International, the citizenship forum, the center of people's rights and the women association "Joussour."
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/040310/2004031018.html
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Moroccan princess receives special prize from international Olympic committee.
Politics, 3/8/2004

Morocco's Princess Lalla Amina, chairperson of the Moroccan Royal Federation of Equestrian Sports, received this Sunday a special prize from the
International Olympic Committee which is holding this March 7-9 its 3rd conference on "women and sports, new strategies and new commitments."

The princess, aunt of king Mohammed VI, highlighted in an acceptance address the brilliant performance of Moroccan female athletes in various athletics events, stressing that women "have thus achieved equality with men, a fact which has recently been enshrined by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in a modern Family Law which preserves, in an exemplary and unprecedented way, the rights of women and children alike." She also considered the honorary prize as "a tribute to the efforts made by Morocco for the advancement of sport, under the guidance of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, and thanks to his active support for all athletes, especially women."

The IOC conference held under the high patronage of King Mohammed VI is attended by IOC president, Count Jacque Rogge, president of the Moroccan Olympic Committee (CNOM), General Hosni Benslimane, president of the African Football Federation and IOC member, Issa Hayatou, and several other foreign and Moroccan figures. A record 44% of athletes will be women in the Athens Olympic games. The IOC expects an equal number of men and women to compete in future Games. "Our ultimate goal must be 50-50 participation," Rogge said in his speech.

Princess Lalla Amina underscore Sunday at an acceptance address of the International Olympic Committee's Special prize that "Morocco has become a key player in various international athletics events, thanks to many champions, especially in women's competitions, where Moroccan women have performed outstandingly."

Speaking at the IOC World Conference on Women and Sport held in Marrakesh this March 7-9, the princess who is chairwoman of the Moroccan royal federation of equestrian sports, stressed that Moroccan female champions reflects women's integration in all walks of life. "They have thus achieved equality with men, a fact which has recently been enshrined by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in a modern Family Law which preserves, in an exemplary and unprecedented way, the rights of women and children alike," she went on.

"I feel particularly proud that Moroccan women managed to come out of the shackles of exclusion and marginalization. They are now contributing to building a prosperous, modern and democratic Morocco, alongside their male fellow citizens, under the guidance of the glorious Alawite Throne, which has immensely contributed to the emancipation of Moroccan women from all forms of backwardness," said the princess.

The Moroccan princess also said "I also wish to express my gratitude and say how touched I was by the honorary prize kindly awarded to me." She added that the prize of "a tribute to the efforts made by Morocco for the advancement of sport, under the guidance of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, and thanks to his active support for all athletes, especially women."
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/040308/2004030815.html
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World Conference on Women and Sport. 7 - 9 March 2004

New Strategies, New Commitments More than 600 delegates and observers from 137 countries are participating between 7 and 9 March in Marrakech (Morocco) in the III World Conference on Women and Sport.  After Lausanne in 1996 and Paris in 2000, the major stakeholders involved in issues regarding the opportunities for girls and women in sport will gather at the Conference, which is striving for new strategies and new commitments.

In his opening speech, IOC President Jacques ROGGE paid a special tribute to HRH Princess Lalla Amina, who honoured the opening ceremony with her presence, for her important contribution in the promotion of sport in Morocco. HRH Princess Lalla Amina is the Chairwoman of the Moroccan Royal Federation of Equestrian Sports.

Rogge also seized the occasion to officially announce that the Women and Sport Working Group, "which for almost ten years has worked tirelessly to implement programmes that enable women and girls from around the world to feel part of the global move for women's promotion in and through sport," has been upgraded to a full IOC Commission. He particularly underlined the important role IOC member Anita DEFRANTZ, Chairwoman of the Women and Sport Commission, has played over the years.

The IOC President further committed himself to contribute to the promotion of Women in Sport. "The IOC will continue in the future, as in the past, to strive to do even better so that women occupy the place they deserve in the Olympic Movement. This Conference offers an excellent opportunity to encourage greater equality of opportunities for women in sports activities, whether as athletes or as sports leaders," he said. The IOC has already made great efforts towards increasing women's participation in the Olympic Games. Through Olympic Solidarity, the Olympic
Movement also lends its support to women in developing countries to reduce the gap between the countries, for greater universality.

In a few months in Athens, a record 44% of athletes will be women. The IOC expects an equal number of men and women to compete in future Games. "Our ultimate goal must be 50-50 participation", Rogge said in his speech.
http://www.sailing.org/Article_content.asp?ArticleID=6580
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Massive fish death in Sebou river due to lack of oxygen.
Environment, 3/6/2004

The massive death of fish in Sebou, one of Morocco's major rivers, which was reported lately, is due to the lack of oxygen and high concentration of phytoplankton, studies conducted by the national sea research institute (INRH) revealed. Analysis of water and fish samples showed there are no abnormal chemical tracks while the rate of dissolved oxygen is very low and salinity too high, due to the immixing of sea water, the institute said in a report, adding that fish death reported at the level of the town of Sidi Allal Tazi (north of Rabat) may be due to the propagation of a phytoplankton or the industrial waste of the plants surrounding the river.

The Sebou river suffers massive pollution, caused by populations and by flanking cities and factories, mainly sugar and paper plants. Another source of pollution is the Oued Fez river that carries waste produced by the city's traditional leather and olive oil plants.

Authorities in the city of Kenitra (40km north of Rabat) had announced emergency measures in mid-February following the surfacing of large numbers of dead fish on the banks of the river. A committee made up of veterinarians, port authorities, firemen, county police and experts from the water and forests department was set up to assess the situation and take preventive measures against the consumption or marketing of the dead fish.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/040306/2004030616.html
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Morocco tough but Viggo Mortensen never complained.
[from Contact Music http://www.contactmusic.com  Published March 9, 2004

Lord of the Rings star Viggo Mortensen was stunned by the beauty of the Sahara Desert when he shot his new movie Hidalgo there - but he found the conditions extremely tough to deal with.  The actor, who shot the movie near Ouarzazate, Morocco - where co-star Omar Sharif filmed Lawrence of Arabia in 1962 - admits the harsh conditions often made work on the horse project tough.  He says, "After the experience of filming Lord of the Rings, everything is kind of relative, I suppose, in terms of hardships and all of that.  "But being in the Sahara Desert was kind of tough. The surface was so hard, there was just the shock of it all the time. Dust was flying around all the time. It was sometimes blinding, and it would get in your lungs.  "Some people ended up in hospital, and some horses had trouble breathing because of it.  "But anybody that complained, I just said, 'You have no idea.' No matter how hard it got, every day you were still in an unbelievably beautiful place. And I do like horses, and I was on horseback all of the time. What's to complain about?"
http://www.wizardnews.com/story.200403091.html
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FTA to increase US investments in "key ally" Morocco, Senator.
WASHINGTON, Mar. 11

The chairman of the US Senate Committee of Finance said that the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Morocco concluded last week,
will increase the flow of investments in this country, a "key ally" of the United States. At a hearing, here Wednesday, on the US trade and economic policy in the Middle East, Senator Charles Grassley said he was convinced that this accord will provide new opportunities for trade between the two countries and also " a growing flow of foreign investments in Morocco" while "consolidating its economic situation."

Early this week, US president, George W. Bush, referred the FTA with Morocco to the Congress, in line with the Trade Act of 2002, that requires that the US chief executive notices the congress within 90 days of plans to enter into free trade agreements with other countries. "Morocco is one of the United States strongest friends in the Middle East. Increased trade will benefit Americans and help strengthen a tolerant, open, and more prosperous Morocco", the President said in a statement published on Monday. He added that this accord "will not only strengthen our bilateral ties with this important ally, it will also advance my goal of a Middle East free trade area (MEFTA) within a decade."

"My Administration looks forward to working with the Congress in developing appropriate legislation to approve and implement this free trade agreement", said President Bush. This accord was concluded on March 2 after seven rounds of negotiations that started on January 2003.  The agreement was described by US officials as "a comprehensive and ground-breaking Free Trade Agreement (FTA) designed to strip away barriers and facilitate trade and investment between both countries." Morocco becomes the first African and the second Arab country, after Jordan, to conclude an FTA with the USA.
© MAP 2004
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm
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Washington Does Not Seek To Impose Reforms In Arab Countries, Ambassador.
RABAT, Mar.12

The United States Administration does not seek to impose reforms on Arab countries, asserted, here Friday, the US ambassador to
Morocco. "Arab countries are sovereign nations that have their own interests", said Tomas T. Riley in an interview with the Moroccan weekly «La vie Eco».  The US diplomat who was commenting the reaction to the Bush initiative of "Greater Middle East", said his country is aware of the fact that "no plan can succeed unless the countries of the region find in it their interest."

Bush's initiative, largely criticized in the Arab World, consists of a broad "package" that encourages regional democratic, social and economic reforms in the region. The idea is to improve conditions across the region in an attempt to eliminate frustrations and social injustices that provide fertile ground for terrorism and extremist ideology.

Asked about the "silence" on resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict, the US ambassador said: "the support to democratic reforms is in no way a
substitute to the peace process in the Middle East." He explained in this regard that his country is carrying on efforts to reach a just and final
settlement to this conflict.

As far as Morocco is concerned, the US diplomat said his government is ready to support the kingdom's reforms "if the Moroccan side wishes to".
He said President Bush, Secretary of State Collin Powell as well as other high-ranking officials "consider Morocco as a leading country in the field
of reforms in the region."  © MAP 2004
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm
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FTA with US Not Part of Greater Middle East Initiative, Official.
RABAT, Mar.12

The free trade agreement recently concluded between Morocco and the US is a bilateral economic and trade pact that has nothing to de
with any other program, said Moroccan delegated minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Tayeb Fassi Fihri, in a clear allusion to the Greater
Middle East initiative floated by the US. In an interview posted by the Moroccan website Menara.ma, Fassi Fihri insisted that the FTA has nothing to do with anything that came into sight later, since the launch of talks to conclude the deal was decided during HM king Mohammed VI's April 2002 visit to the US, and negotiations started in January 2003.

Answering a question on concerns of European partners, the minister said "we are in touch with all our partners, Arab ones first, then the Mediterranean ones, to see how we will deal with the US initiative."

"The agreement, finalized March 2nd, is perfectly compatible with the association accord binding Morocco to the EU, he said, adding that
economically, we have done the necessary so that no there will be discrimination against European products, for Europe is important for us in
all fields." "We have spared no effort to improve, diversify and reinforce our relations with Europe which will remain a strategic partner for the kingdom."

Citing advantages of the FTA for Moroccan exports to the US, Fassi Fihri said 99% of Morocco's industrial products will benefit from immediate and
customs duty-free access to the US market in the first year following the agreement enforcement. "Only used and some very specific products will be banned from the US market such as electric wire and rubber-heeled shoes.  Concerning the agreement's impact on households, the official deems that consumers will benefit from lower prices, if operators decide to import them. MAP 2004
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm
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FTA with US Was Not Imposed by Whomever, Moroccan Lead Negotiator.
RABAT, Mar.06

Moroccan minister delegate of foreign affairs and cooperation and lead negotiator for a free trade agreement with the US, Taib Fassi Fihri, said the sealing of the deal "is the result of a double approach a Moroccan-Moroccan one and a Moroccan-American one, without being imposed by whomever." At the domestic level, said Fassi-Fihri, Morocco has been liberalizing for several years its economy and foreign trade, signing similar agreements with important partners, including Arab and European ones. To consolidate this reform process, it was deemed suitable to go ahead on the same path with the US, Fihri told Moroccan TV channel 2M.

Concerning the Moroccan-American part of the move, Fihri said to conclude a free trade pact with the US, one has to be member of the World Trade Organization, sign the TIFA agreement on trade and investments with the US and wait and see whether it is mature enough to engage in an FTA. Morocco concluded on Tuesday a free trade agreement, becoming the first African and the second Arab country, after Jordan, to have such a deal with the USA.

For the minister who conducted seven rounds of negotiators, while the first concern is to develop trade, especially exports to the US, HM the Kingdom expects a lot at the level of foreign investments, for the agreement undeniably makes Morocco a platform of interest to many operators.  To cope with a superpower like the US, it is necessary to exploit all the trade and employment opportunities we have, he said, adding that the deal will give access to over 99% of Moroccan industry, the main beneficiary being products subject to high customs duties and hard competition.

On US interest in signing the agreement with the Kingdom, the official said "Americans started a process that makes us top on the first list, but the most important thing for us is what we can get, achieve and win for our economy and society, and for job creation in Morocco."

Fassi Fihri went on that concerning the farming sector, which represents 15 to 20% of Morocco's GDP depending on rainfalls and represents 50% of Moroccan jobs alone, HM king Mohammed VI has set as major objective the safeguard of our assets and pursuing new ones by modernizing agriculture.

"We found ourselves confronted to a divergence in approaches in this field with the Americans, for whom any free trade agreement should result in zero duties and total opening of markets. We explained that this was impossiblefor Morocco and we have obtained that total farm liberalization be excluded," he added.

In the textile sector, Moroccan negotiators asked for a transitory period of 10 years because the rule of origin requires that all products be Morocco-made, including threads. The fact that we do not produce enough threads makes it impossible to meet this rule for the time being, the minister further explained. This flexibility creates immediate opportunities for Morocco and during the ten years to come, we will have to make important integration efforts to make our textile products 100% Moroccan, which can only be rewarding, he
concluded. © MAP 2004
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm
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New 5 Magnitude Quake Reported in Al-Hoceima Region
RABAT, Mar.12

A quake of 5 degrees on the Richter open-ended scale was reported this Friday at 5:21 pm (GMT and local time) in the same region devastated last Feb.24 by a powerful earthquake that killed 629 people, injured over 900 others and left over 15 thousands homeless. According to the Moroccan geophysics center of the national center of scientific and technical research, the tremor epicenter was located in the small locality of Imrabten, near the northeastern city of Al-Hoceima. Over one hundred aftershocks have been reported in the area since the deadly
tremor of Feb.24. MAP 2004

New 4.9 Magnitude Quake Reported in Al-Hoceima Region
RABAT, Mar.10 - A quake, of a 4.9 magnitude on the Richter open-ended scale, was reported this Wednesday at 4:22 am (GMT and local time) in the same region devastated last Feb.24 by a powerful earthquake that killed 629 people, injured over 900 others and left thousands homeless.

According to the Moroccan geophysics center of the national center of scientific and technical research, the tremor epicenter was located in the
small locality of Imrabten, near the northeastern city of Al-Hoceima.   Over one hundred aftershocks have been reported in the area since the deadly tremor of Feb.24. MAP 2004
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm
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Government Adopts Decree Putting Quake-Orphans under State's Care
RABAT, Mar.11

The government weekly meeting adopted this Thursday a decree to put children made orphans by the deadly quake that jolted last February
24 the northeastern region under state's care. The law will benefit children whose family provider died or was affected by disability. The Mohammed V solidarity foundation will take care of managing the orphans' rights, said government's spokesman, Nabil Benabdellah.  The legislation considers as main family provider, in addition to the father, any person who has provided for the child's needs after the father's death or during his life.

Under the law, the country shall see to the moral protection of these children and pay, entirely or partially, for living, food and schooling expenses, until the orphan comes of age or interrupts studies.  The quake-orphans will also be entitled to benefit from services extended by the Hassan II Social Works Foundation for former servicemen or former resisters, and guarantees those children priority in access to schools and to scholarships. 
The list of children under state's care will be set by an administrative committee.  HM King Mohammed VI had decided to grant the status of "Orphans in State Care" to all children who lost their parents or provider in last February 24 powerful quake that devastated Al Hoceima. MAP 2004
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HM King Mohammed VI Visits School and Psycho-Social Support Center in Quake-Hit Imzouren
IMZOUREN, Mar.10

HM King Mohammed VI toured this Wednesday a school and a pyscho-social support center in the town of Imzouren which was badly hit last February 24 by a 6 degree-quake in the northeastern region of Al-Hoceima. The powerful tremor has killed 629 people, injured over 900 others and left thousands homeless.  The sovereign had pitched camp in the quake-stricken city of Al-Hoceima to follow the rescue, aid supply and medical treatment extended to the victims.

On Tuesday, Moroccan minister of education and youth, Habib El Malki, has called pupils and education staff to go back to school and asked the
education staff to conduct activities to help pupils overcome post-quake trauma.  Although most schools were destroyed or badly damaged in the quake, classes have resumed in 90 to 100% of schools in the regions that were not affected and in 60% of schools in the quake-stricken regions.  The Al Hoceima-Taza-Taounate region counts 129 primary schools and 28 secondary schools, 61,100 primary school pupils and 17,702 secondary education institutions. The region has a registration rate of 100% in cities and of 92% in rural areas. The Abi Talib primary school, visited by the sovereign, was dedicated in 1959 by late King Mohammed V. It comprises 12 rooms for 591 pupils, supervised by 20 teachers.

In the psycho-social center pitched in a camp by the Mohammed V solidarity foundation, the sovereign toured the various spaces of this center set up to alleviate the psychological and social sufferings of adults and children traumatized by the tremor. The center is supervised by three psychiatrists, two psychologists, a doctor specialized in catastrophes, a pharmacist, six social workers and other specialized medics. MAP 2004
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm
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Belgium to Help in Building 200 Houses in Quake-Stricken Al Hoceima
RABAT, Mar.10

Belgium will be contributing in the building of at least 200 houses in the northeastern city of Al Hoceima for victims of the powerful
earthquake that jolted last February 24 the northeastern region, killing 629 people. "We have brought up the possibility of building at least 200 lodgings for persons now living in tents", said on Tuesday Belgian foreign minister Louis Michel after a session with Moroccan peer, Mohamed Benaissa.  The meeting, which the head of the Belgian diplomacy described as "fruitful" reviewed the US "great middle east initiative" and the EU new neighborhood policy with south Mediterranean countries.

The EU enlargement will push Europe to get more involved in a particular relation with south Mediterranean countries, said the Belgian FM who also
argued that this approach is necessary in order to maintain a more harmonious internal balance.  The Moroccan foreign minister praised the willingness of "Belgian friends to defend the vision on a more advanced status for Morocco in its relations with Europe -halfway between full membership and association- developed by HM King Mohammed VI during his official to France.

The Belgian official also praised, at the end of a meeting with prime minister Driss Jettou, the common views shared by Morocco and Belgium on
relations between Morocco and the EU. He also stressed that settling the issue of Moroccan debt will be a key element in Belgian cooperation, before voicing his country's resolve to deepen its ties with the Kingdom.  Michel, who arrived in Morocco on Monday for a two-day visit, was received by HM King Mohammed VI at the royal palace in Tangiers. On his agenda are also field-visits to Mohammedia and to Essaouira, where a
Belgian enterprise has been selected to build a resort compound. MAP 2004
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm
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WFP sends emergency relief to Morocco's earthquake victims.
Mar 9, 2004 (Al-Bawaba via COMTEX)

The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) has launched a $200,000 emergency operation to assist the victims of the earthquake that devastated the Al-Hoceima region in north-eastern Morocco in the early morning hours of February 24, killing almost 600 people, injuring hundreds and leaving many homeless.  WFP, working together with UNICEF and Moroccan government partners, will provide daily meals - consisting of high energy biscuits and locally-procured cheese and milk - to some 16,000 school children and one-month rations of wheat flour, sugar and oil to 1,300 families in the region most affected by the earthquake.  "Our aim is to encourage families to send their children back to school and help them to cope with their losses," said Programme Officer for WFP's assessment team in Morocco, Nicholas Oberlin.  Many of the victims were caught in their sleep when the earthquake, registering 6.5 on the Richter scale, struck the port city of Al-Hoceima and its surrounding villages. Several aftershocks have continued to affect the area, some 300 kilometers north-east of Rabat, and many people are still afraid to sleep indoors, despite the cold and wet conditions. Some 500,000 homeless survivors are living in tents.  Morocco's deadliest earthquake was in 1960, when 12,000 people were killed
after a devastating quake destroyed the southern city of Agadir. - (menareport.com)  By Mena Report Reporters  (C) 2004 Albawaba.com, All rights reserved
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm?id=069w1028&section=Countries&page=Morocco&channel=All%20Morocco%20News&objectid=22403786-8F1A-11D4-867000D0B74A0D7C
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Islamic Relief: Aid and School Reconstruction for Morocco Quake Survivors.
12 Mar 2004

Aid is pouring into northern Morocco in response to the devastating earthquake that hit the region in February. Vital supplies of medicine, hygiene kits and emergency shelter have been sent to the area of Al Hoceima. However, strong aftershocks continue to plague the region, forcing scared residents to spend the nights in the open. Currently over 15,000 survivors sleep in tents provided by the relief community. 

Aid Distribution
To ease the suffering of homeless survivors, Islamic Relief has distributed 4000 sleeping mats, 500 large tents and 7000 smaller tents, benefiting 9,500 people. IR has also distributed 11 tonnes of medication, clothing and hygiene kits, and supplied the Mohammed V hospital with 2 tonnes of medication. In partnership with the Mohammad V Foundation, IR has also distributed 2000 locally procured hygiene kits benefiting approximately 10,000 people.

Tent School
Plans are underway for IR to open tent schools in conjunction with the Moroccan Ministry of Education and the al-Hasan II Foundation.  Twenty community tents will be used as temporary schools. In addition, 60 smaller tents will be provided to house teachers who have lost their homes.  School Reconstruction  IR is making preliminary arrangements for the rebuilding of two schools in Imzourin, the Al-Qudis secondary school which had 780 pupils, and the Dar Al-Dahib primary school which had 1,000 pupils. 

Devastating Earthquake
An earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale shook the area of Al Hociema, Northern Morocco early in the morning of 24th February 2004. Six villages, including Imzouren and Bni-Hadifa, with a combined population of well over 300,000, were badly affected. The town of Ait Kamara, with its vulnerable mud-brick houses, was completely destroyed.  [ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/fromthefield/107910822952.htm
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International Journalist Federation Relocates MENA Office in Morocco.
BERLIN, Mar.10

The international federation of journalists (IFJ) has decided to relocate its regional office for the Middle east and North Africa to Morocco.  The decision was made over the week end at a meeting in Berlin of the executive committee of the Brussels-based largest organization of journalists.  The executive committee members explained that the relocation was decided as a recognition to Morocco's vitality in promoting freedom of expression and democracy, particularly reforms to the audio-visual sector with the recent positive evolution in the audio-visual landscape.

According to Younes Mjahed, secretary general of the Moroccan journalist union (SNPM), it is also a tribute to the SNPM's action as a bridge between press unions in the Mediterranean region. Mjahed is also member of the executive committee of the federation which represents around 500,000 members in more than 100 countries.   The IFJ MENA regional official will be relocated from Algiers, where it was established in 1990 as a sign of solidarity with Algerian journalists.  © MAP 2003
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/news/spo_cult/spor3002.htm
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Moroccan speaker says Muslims paid high price following 9/11.
Politics, 3/10/2004

Speaker of the Moroccan House of Representatives (parliament lower chamber), Abdelouahed Radi, said this Tuesday Muslim people have paid a high price in the wake of the 9/11 attacks in the USA. Speaking at the opening of the 3rd conference of the Parliamentary Union of member countries of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), Radi said that after 9/11, the Islamic world has experienced tragic events through which Islamic nations paid the price of these terrorist acts. A war has been waged in Afghanistan and Iraq, and in parallel, Israel was given the green light to continue its repressive policy against our Palestinian brothers, build more colonies, besiege president Yasser Arafat, build an apartheid fence and ignore all peace initiatives, said Radi. The speaker went on that threats against some Islamic countries such as Iran and Syria are among the signs of deterioration of the situation in the Muslim world.

The suffering of the brotherly Iraqi people, caused by anarchy, insecurity and the destruction of its infrastructure is another manifestation of the global crisis that the Islamic nation is undergoing, he said. "No economic, social or political reform in the Arab world can be undertaken efficiently unless it stems from the will of Islamic peoples," said Radi, alluding to the scheme called Greater Middle East initiative which the Bush administration is currently promoting.

"Reforms in the middle East shall go, inevitably, through a fair and comprehensive solution to the Middle East conflict, on the basis of international legality, the recovering of Iraqis of their full sovereignty and an end to the threats leveled at Islamic countries.

Speaker of the Senegalese National Assembly (parliament), Pape Diop, denounced the "campaign" waged against Islam in a world juncture topped by Iraq, the Arab Israeli conflict and terrorism. Instigators of this dangerous propaganda link Islam to terrorism, in a deliberate attempt to distort the image of Islam which is actually the religion of peace, justice and tolerance. The two-day conference, to wind up Wednesday, is examining main issues in the Islamic world such as Iraq, the Palestinian issue and world terrorism. The Parliamentary Union of OIC member Countries was created in Teheran in 1999.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/040310/2004031015.html
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Morocco's January trade deficit at 4.0 bln dirhams.
RABAT, March 8 (Reuters)

Morocco's trade deficit stood at 4.0 billion dirhams ($448.4 million) in January, down 9.1 percent from its level a year earlier, foreign trade regulator said on Monday.  Imports rose 3.3 percent in value to 11.7 billion dirhams for a 12.6 percent jump in volume while exports improved 11.2 percent in value at 7.7 billion dirhams for a 12.6 percent rise in volume, Office des Changes said in a report on its  web site.  The cover ratio of exports to imports rose to 65.7 percent from 61.1 percent in January 2003, it added.  The rise in exports stemmed mainly from phosphoric acid and fertilisers
while imports were fuelled by a four-fold jump in crude oil imports, after the recovery of the country's main refinery from a fire that ravaged it in November 2002.  The European Union accounts for two-thirds of Morocco's foreign trade. ((Reporting by Souhail Karam, Reuters Messaging: souhail.karam.reuters.com@reuters.net; +212-37 720065)) ($1=8.920 Moroccan dirhams)  Copyright 2000 Reuters Limited.
http://www.borsaitalia.it/fwa-cgi-bin/news.pl?id=1078752352nL08534416&tit=Morocco
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Coastal fisheries receipts decrease by 11% end of October 2003.
Economics, 3/11/2004

The sales of Moroccan coastal fisheries during the first 10 months of 2003 decreased by 10.9%, compared to the same period of 2002, authorities said. Overall catches went down by 4.4% in volume due to a fall in cephalopod catches, while canning-destined sea products increased by 11.4% and consumption by 19.9%.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/040311/2004031122.html
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Globalia to launch 2 weekly Fez-Madrid flights.
Business, 3/10/2004

Spanish carrier Globalia has recently concluded an agreement with a group of hotels in Fez to launch, as of May 05, two weekly flights linking Madrid to the Moroccan Spiritual capital. Under the agreement, the two parties commit to participate in the flights' risk insurance and Fez hotel managers undertake to offer one room for free out of each eight and advertise the group in their brochures. Globalia will fly two Boeing 737 800 planes for the destination, i.e. 9,672 visitors between May and October, the two parties' ambition being to reach 19,344 seats between 2004 and 2005.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/040310/2004031020.html