Palo Alto man nominated to be U.S. Ambassador to Morocco
New US Ambassador Pledges to Consolidate Ties with "Strategic Ally" Morocco
US launches project to facilitate Moroccan entrepreneurs' access to US market
International prize for new energy technologies awarded to Morocco
Religious lecture for the first time given by a woman
Road Accidents Killed 3,700 People in Morocco in 2002
Innovative Campaign Aims at Eliminating Trachoma in Morocco by 2005
Surgeon extracts 15kg tumor from patient's belly
Latest rainfalls raises dams capacity.
Women MPS, associations support family law reforms proposed by Moroccan king
King of Morocco Calls for Fundamental Reform in Family Law.
King Mohammed dedicates inmates vocational training center in Casablanca
H.M. King Mohammed VI Dedicates Campus, Launches Social-Cultural Centers in Casablanca.
Violence against women has bad effect on development, minister Baddou
British Airways introduces more non-stop flights to Marrakech and Agadir.
Morocco resolved to implement agreement on information technology, ambassador
King Mohammed visits construction site of visually-impaired center
King Mohammed okays inception of justice and reconciliation commission
As Morocco cracks down on terrorism, human rights groups worry about abuses
Moroccan Twin Girls Sentenced for Terror.
There's more to Morocco than Casablanca
Time still not ripe for Moroccan banking mergers
Construction sector accounts for more than 6% of GDP in Morocco

Palo Alto man nominated to be U.S. Ambassador to Morocco
President George W. Bush has nominated Palo Alto resident Tom Riley to be U.S. Ambassador to Morocco. Riley currently serves as president of Mountain View-based Active Photo, a digital imaging company. He graduated from Stanford University and attended the Harvard Business School with Bush in the 1970s. Riley's appointment requires Senate confirmation. The Senate is expected to vote on the nomination in the next several weeks.
http://www.paloaltoonline.com/paw/paonline/news/2003_11_06.ambassador06.shtml
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New US Ambassador Pledges to Consolidate Ties with "Strategic Ally" Morocco
Washington, Nov. 05 - US ambassador-designate to Morocco has vowed to endeavour for the "continued strengthening of solid relations" between the US and Morocco, "a strategic ally and an old friend".

Thomas Riley, who was speaking Tuesday at a hearing by the Senate Foreign relations Committee, recalled that the kingdom of Morocco was the first country in the world to recognize the newly born American nation in 1777 as well the Friendship and Cooperation Treaty concluded between the two countries in 1787.

He said it was important for the United States to provide its support to this wise country of the Muslim World as it was among the first to condemn
the September attacks.

The American diplomat also welcomed the political, economic and social reforms undertaken "with courage" by Morocco under the leadership of H.M.
King Mohammed VI, mentioning in this regard "the successful local elections" held on September 12 in the kingdom as well the reform of the family code that gives more rights to women, and which he described as "a major and revolutionary law for the rights of women and children".

He also pledged to endeavour for the implementation of the free trade agreement being discussed by the United States and Morocco.

Riley was nominated on October 6 by president George W. Bush in replacement of Margaret Tutwiler, who will be heading the department of public
diplomacy. MAP 2003
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm
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US launches project to facilitate Moroccan entrepreneurs' access to US market
Economics, 11/6/2003
The U.S. launched, in Casablanca Tuesday, Morocco Fast Track Trade Project (MFTT) destined to facilitate Moroccan entrepreneurs access to the US market and maximize investment opportunities in the U.S.

The project is part of the U.S. Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), initiated by U.S. President George W. Bush in 2002 as a framework and a
funding tool for the U.S. to work together with governments and people in the Arab states to expand economic, political and educational opportunities for all.

Morocco Fast Track Project, launched Tuesday by the International Executive Service Corps (IESC), will focus on preparing export-ready Moroccan small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to take immediate advantage of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Morocco and the United States expected to be signed before end of the year.

Moroccan exterior trade minister, Mustapha Mechahouri, called on Moroccan small and middle-sized enterprises to join the project which "evidences our great interest in developing economic and trade relations between Morocco and the U.S." The project includes providing assistance to Moroccan SMEs in initiating export sales, acquiring new technology, and developing joint ventures and other strategic alliances with U.S. partner firms, Mechahouri said in a speech read out on his behalf.

For his part, IESC's exports director, Rudy Vogel, said Morocco Fast Track Trade project is destined to promote trade and investment by assisting
Moroccan entrepreneurs sign agreements with US companies and facilitate their access to US markets.

To this aim, he underlined, the International Executive Service Corps was assigned to help Moroccan entrepreneurs profit from trade and exports
opportunities in the United States.

IESC is the world's largest not-for-profit business development organization. Since 1964, it has been working to increase the competitiveness of entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized firms in the developing world and in emerging democracies.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/031106/2003110603.html
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International prize for new energy technologies awarded to Morocco
Morocco, Science, 11/6/2003
The Moroccan National Electricity Office (ONE) was awarded recently in California an International prize in recognition for its contribution in
developing thermal-solar energy technologies and supporting clean and sustainable energy.

The international recognition comes to reward ONE's efforts to develop a thermal-solar energy plant project in Ain Beni Mathar (Eastern Morocco)
using "Integrated Solar Combined Cycle (ISCC)" technologies, a mixture of solar energy and natural gas, and generating 220 MW power, said ONE's
release.

The prize was extended to ONE director general, Ahmed Nakkouch, by the European Association of thermal-solar production industries and the American Solar Energy Industries Association on the fringes of the international conference on solar energy market expansion.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/031106/2003110609.html
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Religious lecture for the first time given by a woman
Religion, 11/8/2003
For the first time in the history of Morocco, a woman has given a religious lecture at the traditional lectures organized every Ramadan (fasting month) by the king of Morocco.

Rajaa Naji Mekkaoui, a university teacher, presented her lecture before King Mohammed VI at the royal palace in Rabat, which serves as a venue for such event.

Her lecture before an audience of scholars and theologians from the Muslim World was entitled "The universality of the family structure in a world of
multiple distinctive features."

In her analysis, Mrs Mekkaoui congratulated the monarch for his "great role" in reforming the family code that gives women more rights.

The Ramadan religious lectures were instituted by the late king Hassan II in the eighties. They are attended by members of the government, high ranking military officials, foreign ambassadors accredited to Rabat and guests from the Muslim World.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/031108/2003110823.html
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Road Accidents Killed 3,700 People in Morocco in 2002
Rabat, Nov 4 - 3,700 people died and 14,900 others were injured in a total of 52,000 road accidents in 2002 in Morocco, said, here Monday, Moroccan Prime Minister.

Driss Jettou who was presiding a meeting of the inter-ministerial committee in charge of road safety, said that road accidents are costing the state
more than 11 billion DH every year (1.1 billion dollars), the equivalent of 2.5% of the Country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He described traffic
accidents as "a social problem and an economic hemorrhage" hampering the country's social and economic development.

The Prime Minister called on member of the committee to tackle this"plague" with a "comprehensive strategic vision" and urged the private sector and the civil society to get involved in this strategy. © MAP 2003
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm
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Innovative Campaign Aims at Eliminating Trachoma in Morocco by 2005
Steve Baragona, Casablanca
03 Nov 2003

Nearly six million people worldwide have been blinded by trachoma. The World Health Organization calls the disease the leading cause of preventable blindness, and estimates that it threatens one tenth of the world's population, almost exclusively in the developing world. But Morocco expects to be rid of the disease by 2005. The WHO hopes to use a strategy tested in Morocco to eliminate the disease worldwide within two decades.  Southern Morocco, on the edge of the Sahara Desert. Tiny, blocky villages of dried mud and straw are scattered sparsely across the vast, rust-colored emptiness.

Trachoma strikes hardest in remote places like these. Water for washing faces is scarce, and medical care is far away. Trachoma begins as a
bacterial eye infection. If left untreated, the infection scars the eyelid, turning the eyelashes inward. The lashes rub painfully up against the
eyeball with every blink. Over time, the rubbing scars the cornea, clouding vision and leading to blindness.  Abdullah, a 70-year-old farmer, has suffered with trachoma for much of his life. His right eye is visibly clouded with trachoma scarring. "Whenever it's hot, it pricks my eyeball and causes me a lot of pain," he said. "I'm a poor man, and I've let myself go."

Trachoma causes financial as well as physical pain. Loss of vision means loss of work, for the victims as well as their caretakers. The disease costs
the world an estimated $2.9 billion a year in lost productivity.  Trachoma is treatable. At local clinics throughout rural Morocco, like this one in Tata province, health care workers perform a simple, inexpensive surgery that gets the eyelashes off the eyeball. The procedure can prevent blindness if performed early. But ophthalmologist Mohammed Belmekki says the farmer Abdullah's right eye is too far gone. "He knows if we perform the surgery, he will not be able to see," he said. "But he will suffer less."

But thousands of people in Morocco have been operated on in time to save their vision. A bright spot in the global fight against trachoma, Morocco is one of three pilot countries testing a World Health Organization strategy designed to eliminate the disease worldwide by 2020.  Surgery is just one part of that strategy. Another part involves delivering antibiotics once a year to each resident in high-risk areas. Adults get tablets. Children get a squirt or two of cherry-flavored liquid.  Another element is improving water supplies, like these taps in a Ouarzazate province village.
Washing faces cuts the risk of trachoma. And water to flush solid wastes keeps away flies that can spread the disease. Four years ago, only 14
percent of Ouarzazate residents had access to fresh water. Now, three-quarters do.

Morocco's efforts to fight trachoma are paying off. In the hardest-hit province of Zagora, for example, active trachoma rates have fallen from more
than 50 percent in 1997 to less than four percent today. Morocco's trachoma elimination program director, Dr. Youssef Chami, points out that the country could not have done it without the solid support of the government. "One of the major assets is commitment and political will. Political will is, first of all, the commitment of the Ministry of Health," he said.  The WHO would like to see that same commitment to eliminate the disease in
45 other trachoma-stricken countries. But in many of these countries, trachoma will have to get in line behind other pressing health issues like
AIDS, tuberculosis, and meningitis. Morocco has more money to spend on trachoma than many poorer developing countries. And the disease was already on its way out when the current campaign began in 1997.

But experts say even countries without these advantages can learn from Morocco's efforts. Morocco gets a lot of help from international non-governmental organizations. According to Silvio Mariotti, with the WHO's blindness and deafness prevention program, the country's political commitment made these partnerships much easier.  "What is complicated is to bring in resources, international partnerships, when the political commitment is only expressed in speeches, and does not translate in transparency in the way the resources are used, consistency
with the expressed political commitment, and the investment countries do in their own health system," he said.

Dr. Mariotti also says that investors are willing to help in countries with good accounting practices which invest in health care. He adds that's how
Morocco has made such good progress in fighting trachoma.  And Dr. Mariotti says if other countries can muster Morocco's will to fight trachoma, their children may be singing the same song by 2020.
http://www.voanews.com/article.cfm?objectID=01AC2B31-9471-4C1E-A6D07BB16F6686EA
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Surgeon extracts 15kg tumor from patient's belly
Local, 11/5/2003
A surgeon at Oujda Al Farabi hospital (northeastern Morocco) succeeded after a three-hour emergency operation in extracting a 15kg (about 32 pounds) tumor from the abdomen of a patient aged 68 years.

Hussein Ramadani, the surgeon who performed the operation says the tumor size was impressive.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/031105/2003110518.html
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Latest rainfalls raises dams capacity.
According to the Ministry of Equipment, recent rainfalls increased dams capacity to 49%. In the same time, the ministry explained the capacity of a
large umber of dams surpassed 90%. The dam of al Wahda, which has a capacity of 3.9 billions cubic meters, was 70% full. Morocco counts over 90 dams with a capacity of 14 billions cubic meters supplying Morocco with 77% of its needs of drinking water. The rest is undergroundwater.
Source:Insight Weekly Economic Report. insight@success-in.com
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Women MPS, associations support family law reforms proposed by Moroccan king
Morocco, Politics, 11/1/2003
Several women associations and women parliament members have voiced support to the proposed family law (Mudawana) reforms announced by the Moroccan king on October 10, describing the amendments as "an initiative that would contribute to the edification of a modernist and democratic society."

These reforms put family under the joint responsibility of spouses, make polygamy almost impossible and re-organize marriage and divorce regulations.

The 35 Women members of the House of Representatives said in a message to the king the proposed reforms are a "landmark" that does justice to women, preserve men's dignity and protect children's interests.

The reforms reflect the king's resolve to promote the situation of women while respecting the principles of Islam, they said.

For their part, several women associations called the reforms a "victory" for Morocco and an evidence to a strong political will to halt the injustice
toward Moroccan women.

The new initiative giving more rights to both men and women will definitely have a positive impact on families, said the associations in a message
addressed to the king.

The national coordination commission of women associations said the reforms meet the aspirations of Moroccan citizens and enhance justice, equity and equality in conformity with the teachings of Islam and international conventions. The commission also hailed the sovereign's decision to refer the family law proposals to parliament
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/031101/2003110121.html
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King of Morocco Calls for Fundamental Reform in Family Law.
November 7, 2003
In an October 10, 2003 speech to members of the Moroccan parliament, King Muhammad VI introduced eleven fundamental reforms in a new Family Law proposed in Morocco. The following are excerpts from his speech: [1]  Men and Women are Equal Before the Law  1- "[We should] adopt a modern form of wording instead of that which undermines the dignity of women as human beings. Make husband and wife jointly responsible for the family, in keeping with the words of my ancestor the Prophet Sidna Muhammad (pbuH) who said that men and women were equal before the law, and also with the saying: 'Only an honorable man will honor them (women); and only an ignoble man will humble them.'

2- "Entitle the woman who has come of age to guardianship as a right, if she so chooses or if it serves her interest, in accordance with one of the
interpretations of the Koranic verse which stipulates that a woman shall not be forced to marry against her free will: '...place not difficulties in the
way of their (re-)marrying their husbands if it is agreed between them in kindness.' A woman may, of her own free will, entrust guardianship to her
father or to a relative.

3- "Ensure equality between men and women by setting the minimum age for marriage at 18 years for both of them, in accordance with certain provisions of the Malikite rite. [2] The judge may, however, lower the age for marriage in certain justifiable cases. Also ensure equality between boys and girls placed in custody, by allowing them to choose their custodian at the age of 15."

Polygamy is Almost Impossible
4- "Regarding polygamy, I have seen to it that the true, tolerant aims of Islam are duly taken into account, mainly with respect to justice. In this
regard, Almighty Allah allowed polygamy, but subject to compliance with strict conditions; He said: '...and if you fear that you cannot do justice
(to so many) then one (only).'  "Then the Almighty ruled out the possibility for man to do justice in this particular case: He said: 'You will not be able to deal equally between (your) wives, however much you wish (to do so).' He thus made polygamy almost impossible, from the Islamic legal point of view.  "Similarly, I have sought guidance from the pristine wisdom of Islam which makes it legally possible for a man to take a second wife, but only in circumstances beyond control. In addition, strict conditions must be observed and a judge's permission secured. Failure to allow for such exceptions by outlawing polygamy, may result in men being tempted to engage in unlawful polygamy.  "Hence, polygamy shall be allowed solely in the following cases and under the legal conditions below:
- "The judge shall not allow polygamy unless he ascertains that the husband will treat his second wife and her children on an equal footing with the
first, that he will provide the same living conditions for all, and that there is a clear and objective justification for polygamy...
- "The woman has the right to impose a condition in the marriage contract whereby her husband will refrain from taking a second wife. In this
connection, Omar Ibn Al-Khattab, may God be pleased with him, is quoted as saying: 'Contracts are tantamount to laws, for both parties.' If no such condition has been stipulated, the judge shall summon the first wife to secure her consent. Similarly, the second wife must be informed that her husband-to-be is already married. Her consent must also be secured. The first wife shall have the right to ask for divorce because of harm
suffered." 

Simplifying Marriage for Moroccans Living Abroad
5- "As a token of my special concern for my dear subjects residing abroad, and in order to reduce the hassle they face to get marriage contracts
processed, I have decided that the procedure shall be simplified. The marriage contract shall simply be drawn up in the presence of two Muslim
witnesses, in accordance with the procedures in force in the country of residence, and shall then be registered with the relevant Moroccan consular or judicial authorities. In this regard, the Prophet (pbuH) is quoted as saying: 'Seek ease, not hardship.'"
Equal Divorce Rights for Men and Women
6- "Make divorce, defined as the dissolution of marriage, a prerogative that can be exercised as much by the husband as by the wife, in accordance with legal conditions set for each party, and under judicial supervision. Thus, the husband's right to resort to repudiation shall be limited by specific restrictions and conditions designed to avoid misuse of this right. In this connection, the Prophet (pbuH) is quoted as saying: 'The most hateful to God, of all lawful things, is divorce.'  "For this purpose, mechanisms for reconciliation and mediation, through the family and the judge, shall be strengthened.  "Divorce is the prerogative of the husband; the wife may also avail herself of this prerogative by using the right of option (Tamleek).  "Whatever the case, and before the divorce is authorized, it shall be ascertained that the divorced woman gets all the rights to which she is entitled.  "A new procedure for divorce has been established, requiring the court's prior authorization. Divorce cannot be duly registered until all monies owed to the wife and children have been paid in full by the husband. Verbal repudiation, in exceptional cases, shall not be considered valid.
7- "Expand the woman's right to file for divorce if the husband fails to observe any of the conditions in the marriage contract, or if he harms his
wife through lack of financial support, abstinence, violence, or any other wrongful deed. This provision is in line with the general legal principle
which advocates balance and moderation. Its aim is to promote equality and fairness between husband and wife.  "A provision has also been introduced allowing divorce by mutual consent, under judicial supervision."
Defending Children's Rights
8- "Seek to further protect children's rights by making the provisions of the relevant international agreements ratified by Morocco, part of the
Family Law. Children's rights with respect to custody are also to be guaranteed by entrusting custody to the mother, then the father, then the
grandmother on the mother's side.  "Should this prove to be impossible, the judge will entrust custody to the relative in the child's family who is deemed most fit to assume that responsibility, keeping in mind the sole interest of the child.  "[The] requirement to provide suitable accommodation for custody children shall be considered separately from other alimony obligations. Alimony cases shall be treated swiftly, within a maximum period of one month.
9- "Protect the child's rights to acknowledgement of paternity in case the marriage has not been officially registered for reasons beyond control. The court shall examine the evidence put forth to prove parentage.  "A 5-year period shall be allowed for, in order to settle unresolved cases,
so as to spare children in this situation sufferings and deprivations."  Clarification of Financial Rights
10- "In keeping with the principle of Ijtihad [independent judgment in a legal or theological question], the granddaughter and the grandson on the daughter's side, just like the son's children, shall be granted the right to inherit from their grandfather, as part of the compulsory legacy.

11- "Regarding the management, by husband and wife, of the property acquired during marriage, and while confirming the principle of separate estate for each one of them, the couple may agree, in a document other than the marriage contract, on how to manage and invest the assets acquired jointly during marriage.  "In case of disagreement, they shall resort to the judge who shall base his assessment on general regulations of proof to determine the contribution of each of the spouses in fructifying the family's assets."  The New Family Law is Consistent with Islamic Principles  King Muhammad VI claimed in his speech that his goal was to ensure that these reforms were consistent with the following principles:

- "In my capacity as Amir Al-Muminin (Commander of the Believers), I cannot make licit what God has forbidden, nor forbid what He has made lawful;  - "It is necessary to be mindful of the tolerant aims of Islam, which advocates human dignity, equality and harmonious relations, and also to relyon the cohesiveness of the Malikite rite and on Ijtihad, thanks to which Islam is a suitable religion for all times and places. The aim is to draw up a modern Family Law which is consistent with the spirit of our glorious religion.

- "The Family Law should not be considered as a legislation devised for women only, but rather as a code for the family: father, mother, and
children. The proposed legislation is meant to free women from the injustices they endure, in addition to protecting children's rights and
safeguarding men's dignity. Would anyone of you want to see his wife and children thrown out of their home and into the street, or his daughter or
sister treated brutally?...  "As I am determined to preserve the rights of my faithful subjects of Jewish faith, I have seen to it that the new Family Law contains a provision which reaffirms that they shall continue to be governed by the Hebraic Moroccan Family Law...
"These provisions should not be regarded as flawless, nor should they be perceived from a fanatic angle. Instead, you should address them with
realism and clear-sightedness, keeping in mind that this is an Ijtihad effort which is suitable for Morocco at this point in time, in its endeavors
to achieve the development objective it is pursuing in a wise, gradual and determined manner..."
Strengthening Moroccan Democracy

"I am determined to carry on with all substantive reforms, with the participation of all the forces that count in the nation, particularly our
young people, in order to instill in them a sense of responsibility as citizens, and to involve them in the shaping of a democratic nation, firmly
committed to solidarity and development. "In this respect, I should like to reaffirm my determination to ensure that this year is devoted to
consolidating the main pillars of our nation, namely a stable family, a pioneering school system, and a community-based authority dedicated to
serving the public and to strengthening the foundations and institutions of a strong democratic [s]tate."
http://www.memri.org/bin/latestnews.cgi?ID=SD60403
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King Mohammed dedicates inmates vocational training center in Casablanca
Judicial, 11/1/2003
Morocco's King Mohammed VI dedicated here on Thursday a vocational training center in Casablanca to promote the integration of inmates.

The project, carried out by the Mohammed V solidarity foundation and equipped by the Mohammed VI foundation for the re-integration of prisoners,
necessitated 9 million Dirhams ($900,000) with operating costs estimated at 5.7 million Dirhams ($570,000). The two-floor center comprises specialized training workshops for woodwork, electricity, mechanics, handicraft, and music, three reading rooms and one for illiteracy.

Between 2002 an 2005, some 750 detainees, aged 16-20, will receive training in the center supervised by 64 educators.

The dedicating ceremony was attended by adviser to king Mohammed VI, Zoulikha Nasri, justice minister, Mohammed Bouzoubaa, secretary of state in charge of professional training, Said Oulbacha and members of the Mohammed VI Foundation for Detainees Reintegration.

King Mohammed VI also launched a pilot project of post-release re-integration with the assistance of psychologists and lawyers. He also
visited a handicraft show by inmates of different rehab centers, and attended a music performance by the center's musicians.

Such projects will be generalized in the kingdom to benefit some 6,223 inmates. The cost of training in all Moroccan centers is estimated at 35
million Dirhams annually (around $3.5 Mln). The state earmarked 10 million dirhams (1 million dollars) to finance and manage them.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/031101/2003110122.html
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H.M. King Mohammed VI Dedicates Campus, Launches Social-Cultural Centers in Casablanca.
CASABLANCA, Nov.03 - H.M. King Mohammed VI dedicated here Saturday the 'Annasim' campus, a students residence, and three social-cultural centers.

The 4,700m² residence, which cost 14.47 million Dirhams (around $1.4 million) was equipped by Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity with 600,000
Dirhams ($60,000).

It will enable good students of the region to carry on their studies in the best conditions.

The three-storey Annasim residence comprises 128 rooms, 253 beds, 9 reading rooms, a gymnasium, a health center as well as commercial and administrative spaces. It will be run by the Moroccan foundation for Youth, Initiative and Development.

The sovereign also launched the construction works of three social-cultural compounds in the Bechar El Kheir, Hay Adil and Hay Chabab districts, covering respectively 7,500m², 1,000m² and 4,000m².

The first will cost 5 million dirhams ($500,000), financed by the Mohammed V foundation for Solidarity. It comprises rooms and dependencies for different activities including illiteracy fighting. It will benefit the 100,000 population of Bechar El Kheir.

The Hay Adil and Hay Chabab centers, worth some 6 million dirhams (nearly $600,000), will benefit handicapped persons or children who have left school early. It comprises cultural, sports and vocational training dependencies.MAP 2003
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm
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Violence against women has bad effect on development, minister Baddou
Culture, 11/8/2003
Violence against women has a bad influence on the development process and on the integration of the woman into this process, said, here Wednesday, Moroccan Secretary of State in charge of the Family, Solidarity and Social action.

Yasmina Baddou who was presenting the broad lines of the national strategy of struggle against violence aiming women said this plan will improve the competence of all people involved in the fight against this phenomenon.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/031108/2003110825.html
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British Airways introduces more non-stop flights to Marrakech and Agadir.
Business, 11/3/2003
This winter, British Airways has introduced more non-stop flights to Marrakech and reinstated flights to Agadir in southern Morocco, according to
a press release published Friday.

The airline serves Marrakech from both London-Gatwick and Heathrow, Agadir from London-Gatwick and Casablanca from London-Heathrow.

As the winter schedule was unveiled, John Patterson, managing director GB Airways explained: "Agadir is a fabulous destination for a winter sun break and the twice weekly service gives the opportunity to stay for either a few days or longer."

He continued: "Morocco has become an increasingly popular short break destination, understandably so as the accommodation choice is vast with more upmarket and boutique style places to stay. The combination of great hotels, a friendly welcome, warm weather and delicious local cuisine makes a break in Morocco truly remarkable." All these flights are operated by franchise partner GB Airways which serves 27 destinations this winter in France, southern Europe and North Africa from Gatwick and / or Heathrow.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/031103/2003110326.html
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Morocco resolved to implement agreement on information technology, ambassador
Morocco, Economics, 11/8/2003
Morocco is determined to implement all provisions of the 1996 Agreement on Information Technology (ATI) to which it recently adhered, said, here
Wednesday, Moroccan Ambassador to the UN in Geneva.

Rachid Hilale who was addressing the Committee on the expansion of information technologies' products at the World Trade Organization (WTO)
headquarters in Geneva, said by adhering to this agreement, Morocco has "fully taken into accounts" the three basic principles of this agreement.

So far, 60 WTO member countries have joined this committee.

He said that Morocco's imports of products concerned by the ATI increased from 2 to 11 billions dirham between 1997 and 2001. Most of these products were imported from the European Union (EU).

"We feel that Morocco has a lot to gain from its membership to ATI," said the Moroccan diplomat adding that a suppression of customs duties on ATI products will have a positive impact..
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/031108/2003110822.html
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King Mohammed visits construction site of visually-impaired center
Morocco, Local, 11/8/2003
Morocco's King Mohammed VI visited Friday the construction site of a socio-educational center for the visually-impaired.

Launched in June 2002, the project is carried out by Mohammed V solidarity Foundation in partnership with the Alawite organization for the protection of the visually-impaired.

Construction works will end next December in the center that comprises 19 classrooms, two dormitories, a library with an audio-system for the blind, a sports room and other facilities.

The 7.24 million (US $724.000) center was built on 3,000 m2 area. It will benefit to the youth of Meknes and will host 120 boarding school students.

The sovereign was welcomed at the construction site by Princess Lamia Solh, chairwoman of the Alawite organization for the protection of the
visually-impaired, members of the Mohammed V solidarity foundation and government officials.
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King Mohammed okays inception of justice and reconciliation commission
Morocco, Politics, 11/8/2003
Morocco's King Mohammed VI okayed the creation of a "justice and reconciliation commission" recommended by the Human Rights Advisory Council
(CCDH) in its 20th session held last October 14, says a press release of the Royal office.

The release reports that the sovereign received this Thursday in Meknes (northeast of Rabat) the CCDH chairman, Omar Azziman, and secretary general, Driss Benzekri, who briefed him on conclusions of the Council's 20th session, especially the unanimously-adopted recommendation calling for the setting up of a "justice and reconciliation commission."

"The commission will be in charge of pursuing the out-of-court settlement of past human rights abuses related to forced disappearances and arbitrary detention. It will also have to complete, within an agreed time-frame, the just and equitable rehabilitation of victims," says the release.

The CCDH chairman was instructed by the sovereign to submit him proposals on the composition of the new commission and the way it will operate, in accordance with the provisions of Article 7 of the Dahir (Royal Decree) on the Council's reform.

The sovereign emphasized again the special attention he attaches to the Council and His eagerness to see it fulfil its new duties. He also
congratulated the council members for the quality of the work they have done to secure a final and dispassionate settlement of past human rights abuses, for the adequate preparations for Mohammed VI Human Rights Prize, and for the progress made in drawing up the Citizens Rights and Obligations Charter, called for by the sovereign in the throne speech (last July 30).
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/031108/2003110820.html
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As Morocco cracks down on terrorism, human rights groups worry about abuses
CASABLANCA, Morocco, Nov 07, 2003 (AP WorldStream via COMTEX) -- Like most 14-year-old girls, Imane and Sanae al-Ghariss giggle a lot, their lawyer says. He believes the twins don't quite understand what's happened to them: They've been convicted of terrorism.  The girls confessed to a religious leader that they wanted to blow up the liquor aisle of a supermarket. He turned them in. In September, the twins were sentenced to five years in prison.  The North African kingdom of Morocco has waged a tough anti-terrorism crackdown since May 16, when Islamic militants launched five near-simultaneous suicide bombings in Casablanca, killing 45 people, including 12 attackers. About 1,100 terrorism suspects have been arrested
since then.  Morocco, an important U.S. ally in the Arab world, wants to show it is doing its utmost to fight terrorism. But some observers, both at home and abroad, say the crackdown is trampling on human rights.  Trials are being held at rapid-fire speed, raising doubts about their
fairness.

Suspects are coming forward with tales of torture and secret detention, Amnesty International and the International Federation of Human Rights say.  Most terrorism suspects are young men being prosecuted in mass trials. Imane and Sanae have captivated Morocco's attention because they are girls.  "They are children," said defense lawyer Abdelfettah Zahrach, who says their plan was more teenage fantasy than a serious plot. "They are far from being what they were accused of."

Since May, the courts have sentenced more than 50 people to life in prison and 16 people to death. Morocco has not executed anyone since 1993, and it is unclear whether its policy may now change.  The iron-fisted crackdown is a disappointment for many supporters of King Mohammed VI, the 40-year-old ruler who came to power in 1999 pledging to improve human rights. Just last month, the king won international praise for measures to grant women more rights on marriage and divorce.  Amnesty International sees many overall improvements in the kingdom. But torture allegations prompted the group to send a delegation last month to Morocco, where it studied dozens of cases. Next week, it will present its findings to the U.N. Committee against Torture in Geneva.  Philip Luther, an Amnesty researcher on North Africa, says the alleged torture victims are suspected Islamic militants, but also activists who support independence for Western Sahara, a disputed territory on Africa's Atlantic coast that is claimed by Morocco.

"We have looked into a very disturbing return of what we thought were practices confined to the history books," Luther said.  Torture allegations in Morocco resurfaced after the Sept. 11 attacks, when the kingdom began to worry seriously about the possibility of terrorism at home.
Some suspects said they were held for weeks on end in secret detention, Luther said. Some told of being strung up and beaten with metal poles or
wooden rods to extract confessions. Others were raped with a bottle or club, he said. In some cases, agents told victims that their wives would be raped if they didn't cooperate.

Moroccan officials say the crackdown is being conducted within the bounds of the law. A new anti-terrorism law, which passed just days after the
Casablanca attacks, allows terror suspects to be held up to 12 days without being charged, among other measures.  Andre Azoulay, an adviser to the king, says human rights groups raising questions about the crackdown should "go and talk to families" of the Casablanca bombing victims.
"We have to protect our democracy," he told journalists last month.  The International Federation of Human Rights, based in Paris, is worried
about the anti-terrorism law, the allegations of torture and the speed of suspects' trials.  "They're tried in two or three days maximum, with lawyers ... who haven't had time to look at the files," said Driss El Yazami, the group's secretary-general. "Very often, they're convicted based on their statements to police, without material proof of their guilt."

Sanae and Imane are being held in a section for minors at a prison near the capital, Rabat. Their lawyer, who is also leader of the Rabat chapter of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights, has lodged an appeal. He hopes they will be freed, or at least sent to a juvenile rehabilitation center.
"They are teenagers," Zahrach said. "It was a very tough verdict."  By ANGELA DOLAND Associated Press Writer
Copyright 2003 Associated Press, All rights reserved
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm?id=311w3739&Section=Countries&page=Morocco&channel=All%20Morocco%20News&objectid=22403786-8F1A-11D4-867000D0B74A0D7C
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Moroccan Twin Girls Sentenced for Terror.

By ANGELA DOLAND
Associated Press Writer. Nov 7, 3:08 AM EST

CASABLANCA, Morocco (AP) -- Imane and Sanae al-Ghariss, 14-year-old twins, told a religious leader that they wanted to blow up the liquor aisle of a supermarket. The leader turned them in and the girls were sentenced to five years in prison.

Morocco, an important U.S. ally in the Arab world, wants to show it is doing its utmost to fight terrorism. But some observers say the crackdown is
trampling on human rights.

Trials are being held at rapid-fire speed, raising doubts about their fairness.

Suspects are coming forward with tales of torture and secret detention, Amnesty International and the International Federation of Human Rights say.

Most terrorism suspects are young men being prosecuted in mass trials. Imane and Sanae have captivated Morocco's attention because they are girls.

"They are children," said defense lawyer Abdelfettah Zahrach, who insists their statement was more teenage fantasy than a serious plot. "They are far from being what they were accused of."

The North African kingdom's crackdown began after May 16, when Islamic militants launched five nearly simultaneous suicide bombings in Casablanca, killing 45 people, including 12 attackers.

The courts have sentenced more than 50 people to life in prison and 16 people to death. Morocco has not executed anyone since 1993, and it is unclear whether its policy may now change. In all, about 1,100 terrorism suspects have been arrested.
The iron-fisted crackdown has disappointed many supporters of King Mohammed VI, the 40-year-old ruler who came to power in 1999 pledging to improve human rights. Just last month, the king won international praise for measures to grant women more rights on marriage and divorce.

Amnesty International sees many overall improvements in the kingdom. But torture allegations prompted the group to send a delegation last month to Morocco, where it studied dozens of cases. Next week, it will present its findings to the U.N. Committee against Torture in Geneva.

Philip Luther, an Amnesty researcher on North Africa, says the alleged torture victims include activists who support independence for Western
Sahara, a disputed territory on Africa's Atlantic coast that is claimed by Morocco.

"We have looked into a very disturbing return of what we thought were practices confined to the history books," Luther said.

Torture allegations in Morocco resurfaced after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the United States, when the kingdom began to worry seriously about the possibility of terrorism at home.

Some suspects said they were held for weeks on end in secret detention, Luther said. Some told of being strung up and beaten with metal poles or
wooden rods to extract confessions. Others were raped with a bottle or truncheon, he said. In some cases, agents told victims that their wives
would be raped if they didn't cooperate.

Moroccan officials say the crackdown is being conducted within the bounds of the law. A new anti-terrorism law, which passed just days after the
Casablanca attacks, allows terror suspects to be held up to 12 days without being charged, among other measures.

Andre Azoulay, an adviser to the king, says human rights groups raising questions about the crackdown should "go and talk to families" of the
Casablanca bombing victims.

"We have to protect our democracy," he said last month.

The International Federation of Human Rights, based in Paris, is worried about the anti-terrorism law, the allegations of torture and the speed of
suspects' trials.

"They're tried in two or three days maximum, with lawyers ... who haven't had time to look at the files," said Driss El Yazami, the group's
secretary-general. "Very often, they're convicted based on their statements to police, without material proof of their guilt."

Sanae and Imane are being held in a section for minors at a prison near the capital, Rabat. Their lawyer, who is also leader of the Rabat chapter of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights, has lodged an appeal. He hopes they will be freed or at least sent to a  juvenile rehabilitation center.

"They are teenagers," Zahrach said. "It was a very tough verdict."

Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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There's more to Morocco than Casablanca
NATION HAS TIES TO AFRICA, EUROPE; KING CONSIDERED PROGRESSIVE
Posted on Thu, Nov. 06, 2003
Morocco is rich in cultural and historical diversity, an Arab-Muslim nation with ties to Europe, only 10 miles to the north, and roots in the African
continent. The country is ruled by King Mohamed VI, considered one of the Arab world's most progressive rulers. He ascended to the throne in 1999. Slightly larger in geographic size than California, Morocco enjoys weather similar to the sunny climate of Southern California. Although California and Morocco share approximate populations, Morocco has a much smaller economy and many more citizens living in poverty.
In May, Moroccan government leaders were stunned by a terrorist bombing in Casablanca. It was reportedly carried out by Muslim extremists, most of whom grew up in the slums around the city. The suicide bombing, which killed 45 people, has placed a brighter spotlight on the political and social reforms in Morocco.
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/7196173.htm
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Time still not ripe for Moroccan banking mergers
By Souhail Karam
RABAT, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Sixteen banks chase just seven million customers in Morocco's crowded banking sector, but the market is still not quite prepared for significant mergers, analysts say.  The need for consolidation in one of Africa's most advanced banking sectors has been a recurrent theme since reforms modernised the industry in 1993, but there have been just four mergers in 10 years, none of the scale envisaged a decade ago.

The country's largest private bank, BCM , was said to be eyeing a merger with fifth-largest BMCI less than a year ago.  In turned out it was coveting a bigger fish, second-largest private bank BMCE Bank , but on Wednesday BCM dropped the project, saying it had decided it was just too big a risk and would damage its prudential and productivity ratios.  For its part, BMCE is now trying to get a foreign shareholder on its board to shield itself and its relatively vulnerable finances.  As recently as mid-September, credit rating agency Standard & Poor's repeated the perceived wisdom: "The Moroccan banking system is crowded and is experiencing increasing competition for limited good quality business opportunity." 

Financial analysts took it as further confirmation that Moroccan banks needed to merge to make a living from the country's rigid customer base,
particularly with the prospect of further foreign competition; Morocco and the European Union will totally dismantle trade barriers by 2012.
"There's a race for margins, and tough competition. Banks must make economies of scale, which means mergers. To survive you have to lay your
hands on other banks' customers," an analyst said. 

BAD DEBTS
Though the speculation continues, caution and weakness are proving effective barriers to a match, as are poor economic growth and unemployment.  Half a dozen of Morocco's banks are state-owned, all but one of them in the red, and they play a less prominent role than elsewhere in the Middle East and North Africa.  Private banks, most of them the result of privatisations in the 1990s, with considerable foreign equity input, have largely performed better, modernising their services and improving their ratios, but are still not ready for big deals.
"They still have quite a bit of cleaning up to do after the rush for market share hiked bad debts recently. This is what may prevent them from jumping at each other," one fund manager said.  Progress in reducing bad debts and improving productivity has not been uniform among the private banks.  Those controlled by international groups, like BMCI, which is in the stable of France's BNP-Paribas , have fared best, but are the hardest nuts to crack because of the protection of their foreign partners.  Analysts thought the merger earlier this year of France's Credit Agricole Indosuez and Credit Lyonnais would lead to the merger of their respective Moroccan partners, Wafabank and Credit du Maroc .  But sources close to the two Moroccan banks said approval never came from Paris for a deal that would have created the third-largest private bank behind BCM and BMCE.
Of the four minor mergers since 1993, the most important was the takeover in 2000 by BMCI of the Moroccan branches of Dutch bank ABN-Amro .
Moroccans with a bank account represent only 25 percent of a population of 30 million in a country where a large number of firms still pay their
employees' wages in cash.  "If Morocco's economic growth accelerates and creates more jobs, this will speed up the pace of mergers," the fund manager said.  "There is a huge amount of speculation on potential mergers, but this does not change the fact that to have 16 banks in a market of seven million is way too many," a senior broker said. ((Editing by Will Waterman; Reuters Messaging: souhail.karam.reuters.com@reuters.net; +212-37 720065)) http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm?id=1068038801nL05570997&Section=Countries&page=Morocco&channel=Features%2C%20Analysis%20and%20Opinion&objectid=13F83A62-8988-11D5-867E00D0B74A0D7C
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Construction sector accounts for more than 6% of GDP in Morocco
Morocco, Economics, 11/5/2003
With sales of more than 4 billion dollars a year, the construction sector in Morocco accounts for more than 6% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and provides over 300,000 direct jobs, revealed, here Monday, the Secretary General of the Moroccan Center of Exports Promotion (CMPE).

Ali El Alaoui, who is leading a delegation of construction companies to the 24th International Construction showcase "Batimat" being held in Paris, said that the construction sector with its 62,000 production units all over Morocco, ambitions to conquer the European market in the perspective of the free trade agreement between Morocco and the European Union, after having conquered African and Arab markets.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/031105/2003110517.html

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