Virtual Magazine of Morocco on the Web
Morocco Week in Review 
August 7, 2005

France renews support for Morocco's 'process of modernisation'.

French President, Jacques Chirac, renews in a message addressed to HM Mohammed VI on the throne Day (July 30) France's support for the reforms and modernisation that morocco is undergoing under His Majesty's leadership, reported MAP. Chirac emphasized in his message the importance of the National Initiative for Human Development that king has personally launched on May 18.

"Morocco is pursuing with determination, under your leadership and motivation, an important process of modernisation and liberalization, despite the difficulty of the juncture," said the French President in the message. "The constant exchanges and contacts, both at the governmental and social levels, between the two sister countries give our dialogue and bilateral cooperation a peculiar momentum," he added.

"While Morocco is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its independence -which France is glad to share with the Moroccan people- it is crucial that our two countries remain united through an exemplary partnership. Both countries have to carry on playing their locomotive role in a troubled international context in order to reinforce the euro-Mediterranean ties, which are in fact their common future," he said.

On this occasion, several other heads of state and the UN Secretary General, kofi Annan Have extended their congratulations to HM king Mohammed VI. The Throne Day marks this year the sixth anniversary of the king's accession to the throne on July 30, 1999, succeeding his late father, King Hassan II.
http://www.moroccotimes.com/news/article.asp?id=8534
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Documentary Film About the City of Ouarzazat Being Shot in Morocco.
31/07/2005

A documentary film about the city of Ouarzazate is currently being shot in Morocco. The film is produced by Robert Halmi, producer of the television miniseries "The Ten Commandments." The current piece aims to present the natural elements of Ouarzazate that fascinate Halmi so much.
Omar Sharif, a famous Arab and international actor who is playing Aaron in "The Ten Commandments," will be the narrator for the Ouarzazate film.
http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/homepage/
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Moroccan Citizenship now Allowed for Children of Moroccan Mothers.
31/07/2005

Moroccan King Mohamed VI announced on Saturday (30 July) that a child born to a Moroccan mother will now have the right to obtain Moroccan citizenship. The decision is part of the Family Code revisions that aim to achieve equality between men and women, with the king saying he was motivated by a desire to protect children, preserve the cohesion of families and protect their authentic national identity. Until now, only men had been allowed to transmit Moroccan nationality to their children and grandchildren. The rule was problematic for Moroccan women married to non-Moroccans and their children.
http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/homepage/
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Morocco's king happy with reforms.
Sunday, 31 July, 2005

TANGIERS: Six years after succeeding his autocratic father to Morocco's throne, King Mohamed VI said here yesterday he was happy with the kingdom's progress towards democracy, while calling for the reform drive to continue. In a speech broadcast on radio and television to mark the country's royal holiday, the Moroccan monarch said his kingdom had been "lifted to the ranks of a citizen monarchy" and hailed the achievement of democratic reforms. The 41-year-old monarch added that progress for Moroccan citizens was still incomplete and needed economic and social support as well as protection for morals and ethics.

In the field of social reforms, the king announced that children born to Moroccan mothers would now be granted Moroccan nationality, a change from previous laws where nationality was given only through the father. The reform was in response to pressure from international women's organisations which declared Morocco's laws as unfair towards women, especially those who are married to foreigners. Mohamed VI also called for finding a negotiated solution to the long-running conflict over Western Sahara. - AFP http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=46528&version=1&template_id=37&parent_id=17
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FREPE holds meeting in Marrakech for the promotion of employment.
Aug 1, 2005 (Al-Bawaba via COMTEX) --

The Regional Launching of the Funds for the Promotion of Employment (FREPE- Le lancement du Fonds Regional pour la Promotion de l'Emploi) has recently held a meeting with the objective of fighting poverty through generating projects in local communities. E-marrakech reports that the FREPE works within the framework of a partnership signed in May 2004 by the Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz Council, the Ministry for the Social Development and the Agency of the Social Development (ADS). During the meeting, Mounir Charibi, the wali (governor) of the Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz has noted that this initiative is taken within the scope of a national development program, which is launched by the King Mohammed VI. "This initiative is first of its kind in Morocco and it represents the spirit of solidarity in the Moroccan society," said Charibi.
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sid213w6440/secCountries/pagMorocco/chnAll%20Morocco%20News/obj22403786-8F1A-11D4-867000D0B74A0D7C/
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Partners in Learning brings benefits of IT to hundreds of thousands of students in the Arab World.
Jul 31, 2005 (Al-Bawaba via COMTEX) --

Ten education ministries across the Arab world have now signed up for the Partners in Learning initiative to improve the use of information communications technology in schools, Microsoft announced today. The Partners in Learning initiative creates partnerships between education ministries and Microsoft, to develop a wide range of different programs that address the need for IT in education in these countries.
Partners in Learning agreements have been signed in many countries in the region, including Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Yemen.

Amna Al-Nakhi, Academic Programs & Community Affairs Manager Microsoft Corporation, Microsoft explained: "Hundreds of thousands of students in the Arab world will have better access to ICT skills training and better opportunities in education thanks to our Partners in Learning agreements with education ministries across the region. Partners in Learning is a long-term commitment, and we are very glad that we have been able to forge partnerships with so many ministries across the region. These partnerships are expected to make a difference in the lives of the next generation of adults in the region."Partners in Learning, launched globally in September 2003, recognizes the educational value of technology in schools. Global in scope and local in implementation, this initiative provides a significant investment of software and more than US$253 million in cash grants worldwide over the next five years to deliver ICT skills training, tailored curriculum development, technical support, and research funds as well as resources to students and teachers.

The initiative also includes significantly lower prices for Microsoft's core educational desktop software for students and teachers. Partners in Learning is implemented in conjunction with government agencies, local businesses and local trade associations in each country, as appropriate, to ensure that the program meets the needs of local communities.

"As an industry leader, Microsoft has a responsibility to help schools to access the benefits that technology can bring to education. Through feedback from our government customers and educators, Microsoft developed the Partners in Learning initiative, with emphasis on sustained investment in technology and training to help students focus on learning and teachers focus on teaching. We are very excited about working with the governments and educators," Abdullatif Al Mulla, General Manager of Microsoft South Gulf said. "Partners in Learning is central to Microsoft's vision of helping individuals, businesses and institutions realize their full potential through the use of technology."

About Microsoft Corporation Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. Microsoft opened its Dubai-based Middle East office in 1991. Microsoft today has five subsidiaries in the Middle East region: Microsoft South Gulf which oversees Microsoft activities in the UAE, Oman, Yemen and Pakistan, Microsoft North Gulf which oversees Microsoft activities in Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar, Microsoft Arabia covering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Microsoft East Med covering, Lebanon, Jordan, Cyprus and Malta and Microsoft Egypt. Microsoft Corporation's address on the World Wide Web is: www.microsoft.com Microsoft Middle East's Web site is: www.microsoft.com/middleeast
(C) 2005 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
By Al-Bawaba Reporters
(C) 2005 Albawaba.com, All rights reserved.
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sid212w5401/secCountries/pagMorocco/chnAll%20Morocco%20News/obj22403786-8F1A-11D4-867000D0B74A0D7C/
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Cinematographic projections in Morocco for the benefit of children.

Cinematographic projections, the profit of which will go to the children in summer camps within the framework of a program titled "Vacation for All,"
are underway until September 2. E-marrakech reports that the event that started on July 2 is organized by the Moroccan Center of Cinematography (CCM) in conjunction with the cinematographic clubs affiliated with the Council of Youth Activities. This initiative also lies within the scope of a program titled "The Youth Cinema," which was launched in October 2003.
http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/Morocco/187145
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Nationality: Recognising Morocco's children.
8/2/2005B by Houda Filali-Ansary.

HM King Mohamed VI's Jul. 30 announcement that Moroccan women will be able to transmit their nationality to children born of non-Moroccan fathers should bring much needed relief in Morocco and abroad, despite criticism that the reform, once again, had to come from the King, not the government.

In 1992, Rita* and her children fled the rising terror in Algeria to start a new life in Morocco. A Moroccan, she felt a strong urge to return to her native country after the death of her Algerian husband. They quickly found a house, and her daughter found a job. A few days later, the police were at their door: they were expelled from Morocco in the wake of the Marrakech terrorist attack.

Rita was not the one targeted by the expulsion orders, but she had to stay with her children who did not have Moroccan nationality.

Rita's story is only one of the numerous tragedies generated by Moroccan women's legal incapacity to transmit their nationality to their children.

All these women saw their horizon brighten when HM King Mohamed VI, announced his decision Saturday in Tangier, on the occasion of the sixth anniversary of his accession to the throne.

"To illustrate my keen, constant desire to address the real concerns of Moroccans - in Morocco and abroad - and to fulfil their legitimate, understandable aspirations, I have decided, in my capacity as King and Amir Al Muminin (Commander of the Faithful), that a child born to a Moroccan mother shall have the right to obtain Moroccan citizenship," he said.

Until then, Moroccan nationality could only be transmitted by the father, except when he was unknown, but then, the word "bastard" is written on their official documents.

Even those who tried to apply for Moroccan nationality found it very hard to obtain it. In addition to having to stay in Morocco for five years, applicants had to put up with extremely slow administrative procedures.

P.M. Perez applied for the Moroccan nationality in 2000. Obtaining it should have been easy for him as his family has been living in Morocco for three generations, but all he was told over the years was that the commission in charge of delivering nationalities had not met yet.

His daughters' situation was much worse. "We were very worried about our daughters," said Soraya, his Moroccan wife. Since her husband could not transmit his British nationality to them as the UK law does not grant the British nationality to the fourth generation of Britons living abroad.

Neither child could have their father's British nationality, nor could they have their mother's.

The couple had to wait until their daughters' 18th birthday to apply for the Moroccan nationality.
Now, they are awaiting the official publication of the new nationality law in order to apply for the Moroccan nationality.

In the meantime, the only document stating their existence is a birth certificate. Therefore, they are deprived of basic rights, such as having a passport or going to university.

Things are just as difficult for those who inherited their father's nationality as they cannot study in university or even marry without an official authorization from their embassy.

As for those living abroad, their main problems would start when travelling to Morocco. Mothers would need an authorization from their country of residence to take their children to Morocco. Children would also need a separate passport - since they could not be registered on their mother's, and a visa. Once at the frontier, they would have to queue at the foreigners' windows...

The situation of the children of Moroccan mothers is already difficult in itself. It can become much worse in case of problems between the parents:
some divorced women find themselves helpless when their husbands decide to go to another country with their children: the children being foreigners, the Moroccan state can do nothing about them.

Other cases are just as tragic. For years, Fatima* has been living practically as a prisoner in a farm near Strasbourg (France). She wanted to return home to Meknès, but did not want to abandon her children, who had French nationality. Her husband would tease her, saying: "I know that you will end up leaving me anyway, but your children will stay here."

Despite the fact that there is general agreement on the importance of HM King Mohamed VI's decision, many criticize the fact that, once again, this crucial ruling had to come from him, and not from the government.

But then, the agonizing time it took the Moroccan Commission in charge of the reform of the Moudawana under the El Youssoufi government showed how undecided Morocco's political class can be when it comes to such sensitive issues.

The Commission, appointed by the late king Hassan II, went through ups and downs since 1998, and the debate was not really facilitated by the fact that most of the Commission members were...men.

Finally, the debate became extremely heated, leading to a confrontation between female activists and members of the conservative parties.

The final decision was taken by HM King Mohamed VI in 2003. Being "Amir Al Mouminine", he had the religious and the temporal powers to take the final decision.

*The names of these women have been changed to protect their identity.
http://www.moroccotimes.com/paper/article.asp?idr=11&id=8571
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Human Rights: Cartoons to promote new family code.
8/2/2005

"Raconte-moi la nouvelle Moudawana" (Tell Me about the New Family Code) is the title of the first Moroccan cartoons in Arabic dialect and French to promote the new family code. President of "Women Leadership", Rachida Afilal told a press conference, on Monday, the new cartoons aim to familiarise people, notably the youth with the new code provisions through daily life activities.

The new family code, applied by courts since February 2004, aims to improve women's situation in Morocco, protect children's rights and preserve men's dignity, by giving them all rights and duties. The Arabic dialect collection was printed in 8,000 copies and the French collection in 7,000. The French version targets mainly young Moroccans living abroad. Initiated by the World Learning Organisation and international NGOs, "Women Leadership" is a project that works to promote women rights.
http://www.moroccotimes.com/news/article.asp?id=8578
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Building on a solid foundation.
The Daily Star <http://www.dailystar.com.lb> Middle East | Daniel Epps Beirut

The Kingdom of Morocco has been called the jewel of the Maghreb, the North African region of Arab influence. While that title is no longer fitting, the kingdom is on a path that may lead to prosperity. Morocco is by no means free from the challenges faced by virtually every African nation - poverty, political unrest, poorly developed infrastructure - but it seems better positioned to overcome these obstacles than countries like neighboring Algeria.

Morocco's economy is not yet strong, but it has a solid foundation. The kingdom's industries are already fairly diversified. Agriculture is the largest employer, with 40 percent of the workforce working in farming or food processing. Manufacturing is a strength, especially chemicals, textiles and construction materials. Hand-crafts, such as carpets, leatherwork and ceramics provide a healthy source of revenue as well. And while Morocco lacks the rich oil and gas reserves found in other MENA counties, the kingdom has the world's largest supply of phosphates. More industries need to be developed, but Morocco is in a better position than countries that currently base their economies almost entirely on oil alone.

Furthermore, Morocco has a strong tourism sector, with a record number of visitors in 2004. Tourism should continue to grow; combining exotic locales with proximity to Europe, Morocco will become even more desirable a destination as foreign investors build new hotels and resorts.
Political indicators, while not overwhelmingly strong, are positive. The country's ruler, King Mohammad VI, has been a force for modernization and reform since taking the throne in 1999. While he retains broad powers under the constitution, the king has encouraged democratic reforms, including a freer press, more independence for political parties, and greater rights for women. The king has also worked to address his father's poor human rights record, creating a national reconciliation committee The country's economic policies are on the right track. Morocco has been a member of the World Trade Organization for more than a decade, and recently signed a free trade agreement with the U.S., eliminating 95 percent of the tariffs between the two countries. An association agreement with the European Union was signed in 2000 and will further reduce trade barriers between Morocco and the EU, the country's main trading partner. King Mohammad has gone ahead with privatatization and other financial reforms.

But there are still reasons for concern. While the king's reign has been relatively peaceful, underlying political tensions remain. Separatists in the Western Sahara, a region over which Morocco claims sovereignty, have been fighting for autonomy for years, and under a UN resolution Western Saharans will vote in a referendum on independence in the next few years.

Morocco has also seen its share of terrorism by Islamic extremists, as highlighted by the 2003 Casablanca bombings that killed 33 people.
Despite earning the moniker "guardian of the poor," King Mohammad has had limited success in fighting poverty. Basic services in rural areas have improved of late, but not much has changed for residents of dangerously poor slums like Sidi Moumen, near Casablanca. Without better education for the urban poor, extremist groups will likely continue to find followers among illiterate, unemployed young Moroccans.
Observers also criticize rampant corruption in Moroccan society. Problems with the legal system in particular are commonly cited as a hindrance to business development. As the king moves toward a more democratic society, he should also work to improve government transparency and efficiency.

While there is much work to be done in Morocco, the challenges ahead are not insurmountable. King Mohammad needs to continue his efforts to make his country attractive to foreign investors. Reduced trade barriers are a good start, but a better functioning bureaucracy and legal system are necessary as well. A better educated workforce should also be a priority, so that foreign companies won't be tempted to hire non-natives.
Last and most important, maintaining the security situation is essential for economic stability. While the tourism industry weathered one set of attacks, a prolonged bout of terrorism would convince most potential visitors to go elsewhere. To ensure peace, Morocco should relinquish its claim on Western Sahara before the situation deteriorates.

If King Mohammad focuses on these goals there is little he will be unable to accomplish. Moroccan prosperity cannot be expected to come overnight, but it may not be decades away. If economic liberalization and democratic reform continue apace, Morocco could soon be called the jewel of the Maghreb once more.
Vital statistics
Population: 32,725,847
GDP: $134.6 billion
Unemployment: 12.1 percent
FDI: $399 million (net)
http://www.iht.com/getina/files/265921.html
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Morocco first among African countries attracting FDI.

According a recent report on global investments, Morocco is classified as first among African states attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) with a clear increase in recent years. Yabiladi reports that the total amount of the foreign direct investment recorded in 2003 rose to 24 billion dirham thanks to enhanced incentives for foreign investors and to the developments in the basic infrastructures.
According the report, Morocco attracts a great deal of foreign direct investments from the Mediterranean countries, 41% of which comes from France and 27 % comes from Spain.
http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/Morocco/187194
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