Morocco hopes for bumper cereal output, good rain
Death toll in Moroccan flooding rises to 13.
Drinking Water Supply Stops At Flash Floods-Stricken City
Girls die in Morocco workshop fire
Higher security for Morocco Jews
H.M King Mohammed VI Lays Foundation Stone of Female Dorms in Ouarzazate Province
H.M. King Mohammed VI Hands $580,000 Equipment to Hospital, Inquires about Development Projects in Ouarzazate
H.M. King Mohammed V Launches Construction of Associations Compound
Translation of the meanings of the Koran into the Amazigh Language
Morocco's cereal imports drop by 36%; 90 percent of tomatoes processed locally
4 000km of net ensnare Mediterranean dolphins
New reconciliation commission's mission is to establish truth in past human rights violations
Morocco Invites Investors to Conference in Rabat.
Oliver Stone ends filming in Morocco
Morocco To Increase Gas Use In Domestic Energy Mix
Morocco's report on fight against torture welcomed in Geneva, say experts
Laureus Sports awards: Morocco's El Guerrouj nominee
15 November: Day of the Press in Morocco - NVJ Requests Release of Moroccan Editor in Chief Lambaret.
Moroccan writer Mohamed Choukri dies
Morocco joins WTO's IT agreement
Spain, Morocco unite against illegal immigration
2010 Reasons to Host the World Cup.
Morocco denies Amnesty International allegations on torture in Morocco
Marwa To Open Casablanca And Rabat Stores
Moroccan MPS okay 2004 budget amid protests
Democracy cannot live without a free press, says minister
Past human rights breaches to be handled humanely, vows head of HR body
Moroccan Government, Spanish Group Sign Tourism Promotion Deal

Morocco hopes for bumper cereal output, good rain.
RABAT, Nov 21 (Reuters)

Farmers in Morocco might exceed this year's grain production target of six million tonnes if the weather remains as favourable as it has been at the start of the cereal-sowing campaign, a senior agriculture ministry official said. Farmers are hoping for another bumper harvest, which will reduce the grain import needs of Morocco, one of Africa's main cereal importers. The country has a target harvest of six million tonnes after last year's 7.8 million tonnes, which was the best in seven years after recurring drought. "The ministry has set a six million tonnes target. We're doing everything we can to reach this figure. If weather conditions remain auspicious, we'll go beyond it," a senior agriculture ministry official said. Morocco's average annual cereal consumption is between seven and eight million tonnes. A dry year can bring production to as low as 1.5 million tonnes.
Rain started at an earlier stage of this campaign compared to last year, falling just after farmers began ploughing, an official of Rabat's
Agriculture Chamber said. "The cereal-planted areas are enjoying a better degree of moisture," he said.

By November 17, the national average rainfall amounted to 103 millimetres, compared with 74 mm during a normal year. About 50 dams were 50 percent full against an average 44 percent last year, the agriculture ministry said in a report. "They (farmers) were praying for rain but did not expect the skies to be so generous. This has prompted them to force the pace of sowing," the ministry official said.

The area planted to cereals increased by 60 percent to 800,000 hectares by November 17 compared to the same period last year. Seed sales jumped by more than 25 percent to 31,200 tonnes and fertiliser sales rose 15 percent to 335,000 tonnes. The total area ploughed and not yet sown rose 22 percent to 2.2 million hectares. Morocco planted a total 5.1 million hectares for cereals last year, of which just over a third was soft wheat. Agriculture accounts for 14 percent of gross domestic product, while employing 50 percent of the workforce. ((Reporting by Souhail Karam; editing by Allan Seccombe; Reuters Messaging: souhail.karam.reuters.com@reuters.net; +212-37 720065)) http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm?id=1069418531nL2193134&section=Countries&page=Morocco&channel=All%20Morocco%20News&objectid=22403786-8F1A-11D4-867000D0B74A0D7C
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Death toll in Moroccan flooding rises to 13.
Fri Nov 21 RABAT (AFP)

The death toll in severe flooding around Morocco's northern cities of Nador and Al Hoceima this week rose to 13 Friday, officials said.  The bodies of eight people swept away by three rivers were found in Nador and five others in Al Hoceima.  An earlier toll had spoken of five dead and five others missing.  Torrential storms on Monday and Tuesday brought down 100 millimetres (four inches) of rain in 12 hours, according to the Moroccan Map news agency.  The flooding of river valleys, notably in the Beni Bufrah region, cut off many roads and hampered rescue operations. Helicopters ferried emergency and food aid to flooded areas.  Artificial lakes at the Mohammed V and Machraa Hammadi dams reached maximum capacity of 331 million cubic meters and 180 million cubic meters respectively.  The supply of fresh water was cut off in many urban areas in the region
Wednesday, including Al Hoceima, due to the high level of silt in the water supply.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1539&ncid=1539&e=5&u=/afp/20031121/sc_afp/morocco_weather_floods_031121191934

Drinking Water Supply Stops At Flash Floods-Stricken City
RABAT, Nov.19

Torrential rains that has been falling since last Monday in the northeastern region of Al-Hoceima have caused an interruption in the drinking water production facilities, entailing a drinking water cut at the city and some neighboring localities.   The Moroccan drinking water office (ONEP) said in a release the cut is due to an increase of substances in suspension, exceeding the processing capacity of the city's drinking water plant. ONEP adds that exceptional human and material means were mobilized to restore the supply of drinking water to the affected regions.   In the neighboring city of Nador, a four-member family died as torrential rains caused the swelling of a river.
© MAP 2003 http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm
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Girls die in Morocco workshop fire .
Friday 21 November 2003
Five teenage Moroccan girls have died in a fire that swept through a traditional slipper workshop where they were locked in to work through the
evening. The fire broke out in the workshop in Fez's old city on Thursday evening, fire service officials told the official MAP news agency on Friday. The girls were aged 16 to 18, official sources told the media.  During the month of Ramadan, the five worked into the night, embroidering
slippers and belts. "It appears that the workshop owner left them working there and locked the door," he said. There were no survivors, he added.  MAP said the fire was believed to have started when a bottle of gasoline caught fire. The flames spread to glue and other inflammable materials, the official said.
Tourist destination
Fez is a popular tourist destination and has a large artisan sector. Despite initiatives by UNICEF and the Moroccan authorities, hundreds of rudimentary workshops employ young people and children, some as young as seven, often in dangerous conditions.  Traditional slippers made in Fez are a well-known product on both the domestic and the tourist markets.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/EFF4AC32-ABDC-4F9F-AF9F-87D29BD9CEC4.htm
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Higher security for Morocco Jews
RABAT, Morocco, Nov. 18 (UPI)

Morocco stepped up security measures around Jewish centers Tuesday bracing for possible terror attacks following the bombing of two synagogues in Istanbul. Security sources told UPI "security was stepped up around Jewish cultural centers belonging to Morocco's Jewish community which has been targeted twice in the past by terror attacks." Suicide bombers belonging to Muslim extremist groups hit several targets in Casablanca last May 16, including a Jewish center and a cemetery and two Moroccan Jews were assassinated by unknown gunmen last September. Special anti-terror squads were deployed around key centers and in certain vulnerable spots, such as the city of Tatwan in northern Morocco, police barred traffic in front of the Jewish club and the synagogue.  An estimated 6,000 Jews live in Morocco, which was the home of a 350,000-strong Jewish community in the mid-1950s, Most have since emigrated to Israel as well as to the United States and Canada
http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20031118-082800-4013r.htm
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H.M King Mohammed VI Lays Foundation Stone of Female Dorms in Ouarzazate Province
OUARZAZATE, Nov.20

H.M King Mohammed VI laid here Thursday the foundation stone of girls dormitories, financed by the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity. The 1,500m² building has a 200 student capacity. It will cost 5 million dirhams (around $500,000) and will be completed in 15 months. The sovereign also launched construction works of a 1.4 million DH deaf and mute pavilion at a school in Ouarzazate, financed by the Mohamed V Foundation for Solidarity.

He had earlier inquired about construction works of the 843m² Dar Attaliba (females' dorm) of the neighboring locality of Tazarine, worth 2 million DH ($200,000). The project, financed by the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity and the association Tichka, will include five 20-bed pavilions, a
study room and various dependencies. H.M the king further inquired about progress in construction works of another female dorms in the nearby village of Taznakht. The building extending over a 995m² surface will cost 2.3 million DH (around $230,000). H.M King Mohammed VI was briefed on the project of a commercial space to market products of the region's women associations.  The 1.4 million DH project will cover 400m² including a covered surface of 350m². It will comprise an exhibition room, sales surfaces, offices and other dependencies.  Executives informed the sovereign on progress in construction works of a multi-purpose space for the Tarmikt youth. The project, aimed at encouraging literacy and cultural activities, will cost some 1.4 million DH ($140,000). It will also benefit some 30 associations.
© MAP 2003 http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm
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H.M. King Mohammed VI Hands $580,000 Equipment to Hospital, Inquires about Development Projects in Ouarzazate
OUARZAZATE, Nov.19

H.M. King Mohammed VI handed here Wednesday medical equipment worth 5,8 million Dirhams (580,300 US dollars) to the Sidi Hssein Bennacer provincial hospital of Ouarzazate (South).  H.M. the king also visited the paediatrics section of the hospital, recently refurbished for some 300,000 Dirhams ($30,000) provided by the USAID and the Sidi Hssein Bennacer Hospital, the regional blood transfusion center, refurbished for some 937,000 Dirhams ($93,700), and other healthcare facilities in the region. The sovereign later inquired about infrastructure and public services
projects in the region, including rural electrification and sanitationprojects. 
© MAP 2003 http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm
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H.M. King Mohammed V Launches Construction of Associations Compound
OUJDA, Nov.14

H.M. King Mohammed VI laid here this Friday the foundation stone of a compound aimed at providing the region's associations with
offices for their activities. The sovereign was briefed on the 5 million DH ($500,000) project, which includes, besides administrative areas, a multi-purpose room with a 300-person capacity, a conference room, a computers room, a library, two exhibition halls and a cafeteria. The 1,900m² building is funded by the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity.

H.M. the king also kicked off construction of a residence for Oujda's post-graduate students. The 5 Million Dirham (US$ 500,000) residence covers
2,330m² with 48 rooms and 96 beds. The sovereign visited offices of the Muslim Benevolent Association of Oujda, where F'tour (fast-breaking) meals are distributed to needy populations for free, during the holy fasting month of Ramadan. The operation is conducted by the Mohamed V solidarity foundation which has earmarked around 6 million dirhams ($600,000) for the eastern region. H.M. King Mohammed VI also handed equipment to seven local solidarity associations. The grant conists mainly of a bus, sewing and embroidering machines, PCs and furniture, worth 1 Million DH ($100,000), donated by the Mohammed V Foundation for solidarity.

The sovereign also launched a medical Caravan to extend health services to some 1,600 inhabitants of remote villages near Jerada province.
The team that includes 7 specialized doctors has a mobile surgery room and radiology equipment. He also inquired on a 3.5 Million DH project, covering 2,000 m², to provide housing to patients and relatives of an oncology hospital, before dedicating a 2,200m² stadium.
© MAP 2003 http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm
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Translation of the meanings of the Koran into the Amazigh Language
Houcine Jouhadi

Since an article was published in 1999 by the Economist, a weekly British magazine, the translation of the Koran into the Amazigh language had been put on the back burner, along with its author, Houcine Jouhadi, the indefatigable Suss scholar and his religious tradition written in Amazigh.
The recent changes in Morocco have enabled Jouhadi to come out of retirement and finally enrich the cultural world with a translation of the Coran or, as he prefers to call his work a "translation of the meanings of the Coran". Although this title is more prudent than "the attempt at translation" of Jacques Berque, reputed to be an expert on spoken and unspoken aspects of "Arab" Islam, Jouhadi's translation is pertinent enough to erode the sacred value of Arabic, the language of religion, and to institute a balanced competition between Morocco's opposing languages. (AF-WO) Biography of the translator bio-en.htm Houcine Jouhadi, "Translation of the meanings of the Koran" (tarjamat ma'ani al qur'an al karim illa llugha al amazighiyya) 2003, published by the author, printed at An-najah al-Jadida, Casablanca.
http://www.mondeberbere.com/civilisation/tradcoran/index-en.htm
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Morocco's cereal imports drop by 36%; 90 percent of tomatoes processed locally
Economics, 11/20/2003

Morocco's imports of cereals from June to October 2003 amounted to 1.08 million tons, dropping by 36% compared to the same period of last year, an official source said. Argentine is Morocco's first cereal supplier with 28% of imports, consisting mainly of corn, followed by France (23%), the USA (19%), Canada (17%) and Brazil (8%). Morocco's cereal reserves are estimated at 1.13 million tons, including 0.87 million tons of soft wheat.
Also, nearly 180,000 tons of tomatoes have been processed in Morocco in 2002, which represent almost 90 percent of the country's annual output.
With this quantity of industrial tomatoes, Morocco ranks third after Tunisia (560,000 tons) and Algeria (260,000), during the same period, reports the information bulletin of the National federation of the food industry.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/031120/2003112022.html
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4 000km of net ensnare Mediterranean dolphins
November 20 2003 Gland

The environmental group, World Widelife Fund for Nature (WWF), warned on Thursday that illegal driftnets cast by Moroccan, French and Italian fishermen continue to kill thousands of dolphins in the Mediterranean each year and urged European Union (EU) governments to implement a new law banning the practice. An estimated 3 000 to 4 000 dolphins are caught annually in the Alboran Sea off the coast of Morocco, which comprises just three percent of the Mediterranean, according to a new WWF report that named a fleet of 177 Moroccan fishing vessels as the most deadly for marine life in the area. A further 13 000 striped and short-beaked dolphins, which were recently placed on a list of endangered species, are ensnared around the Straits of Gibraltar and in neighbouring zones, the conservation group said.

"The evidence we have gathered on the Moroccan fleet brings us to think that illegal driftnet fishing currently happening in the whole Mediterranean results in a massive slaughter of vulnerable species," said Paolo Guglielmi, head of the marine unit at the WWF Mediterranean Programme.  'An estimated 3 000 -to-4 000 dolphins are caught annually' "More than 4 000km of illegal nets from the Moroccan, French, Turkish and Italian driftnet fleets are ensnaring all that gets in their way," he said in a statement.  The slaughter is occuring despite a ban on driftnet fishing by the EU on January 1 2002 and a United Nations moratorium on large scale nets from 1992.

Morocco is a non-EU country so was not included in the EU decision, but companies from the 15-nation bloc still supply vessels from the country with illegal driftnets, said WWF spokesperson Olivier van Bogaert. "It is illegal and that is what we are trying to denounce," he said. WWF called on the European Union to monitor and prosecute all the fleets of its member states using driftnets. 'The slaughter is occuring despite a ban'
And it urged the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean and non-EU countries to introduce legislation banning these nets. The WWF report was called "Biodiversity impact of the Moroccan driftnet fleet in the Alboran Sea". Sapa-AFP
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=143&art_id=qw1069331221121B213&set_id=1
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New reconciliation commission's mission is to establish truth in past human rights violations
Politics, 11/21/2003

Secretary general of the Moroccan human rights advisory council (CCDH), Driss Benzekri, said the newly-created Justice and Reconciliation commission will seek the truth in cases of disappearance, deaths and other human rights violations under a new approach that enhances transparency. Benzekri who was speaking in a TV show aired on Moroccan TV channel "2M" underlined that repairing damages is fundamental in this process which includes financial compensations in addition to reforming the legal and educational systems to avoid that such practices be repeated in the future, he said. The Justice and Reconciliation commission will try to "reconcile citizens with themselves as well as with society and the state," Benzekri went on. The secretary general recalled that CCDH is an advisory body that has been working since last December to draw up a strategic plan that guarantees human rights respect in various fields.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/031121/2003112120.html
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Morocco Invites Investors to Conference in Rabat.
11-19-2003 By Kim Tae-jong
The Moroccan government is organizing a conference under the patronage of the King Mohammed VI titled ``Investment, Cultures and Civilizations: Links and Impacts,¡¯¡¯ on Dec. 11 and 12 at the International Conference Centre in Rabat, Morocco.  It will inaugurate the new annual conference cycle on ``The Fundamentals of Investment,¡¯¡¯ ending in 2008, and will bring together over 400 politicians, academics and businesspeople to examine and analyze the relationship between different cultures and investment as an economic act.  Participants will also have the opportunity to present and become acquainted with the investment opportunities during sectors-oriented workshops.  Providing excellent logistical support and punctuated with breaks encouraging informal contacts, this annual conference organized by Morocco¡¯s department of investment is an essential meeting place for those who are strongly committed to the process of intelligent globalisation.  All participants are invited to attend the 32nd round of the famous Hassan II Golf Tournament at the Royal Dar Es-Salam golf course, one of the most prestigious courses in the world. For further information on the conference, call the Moroccan Embassy in Seoul on (02) 793-6249, send a fax to (02) 792-8178, or an e-mail to info@morocco.invest.com http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/special/200311/kt2003111916450111440.htm
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Oliver Stone ends filming in Morocco
RABAT, Morocco, Nov 16, 2003 (United Press International via COMTEX)

Movie director Oliver Stone has completed filming scenes of his film "Alexander the Great" in different parts of Morocco.  Morocco's King Mohammad VI provided the filmmaker with support, including 1,000 soldiers from the armed forces who operated as both security guards and actors.  The Moroccan government said it was pleased that Stone decided to film parts of his movie in the north African Arab country, especially after other
productions had suspended work in Morocco following a May bomb attack in Casablanca that killed 45 people and injured dozens of others.  With a $200 million production budget, "Alexander the Great," starring young Irish actor Colin Farrell, is due to premier in movie theaters in March.
Conquering 90 percent of the known world by the age of 25, Alexander the Great, who is played by Farrell, led his armies through 22,000 miles of
sieges and conquests in eight years.  Alexander, of Macedonia, led his armies against the Persian Empire, drove west to Egypt, and finally made his way east to India. Copyright 2003 by United Press International.
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm?id=320w7173&Section=Countries&page=Morocco&channel=All%20Morocco%20News&objectid=22403786-8F1A-11D4-867000D0B74A0D7C
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Morocco To Increase Gas Use In Domestic Energy Mix
Morocco plans to boost the role of gas in the country's energy mix so that it represents 25% of all energy consumed by 2020, according to Energy and Mining Minister Muhammad Boutaleb. "Up to 25% of our energy needs will be in natural gas or LNG by 2020," Mr Boutaleb said, adding that local private investors had indicated an interest in financing infrastructure such as LNG import terminals. The plan would increase use of gas from the present 500mn cu ms/year - most of which is supplied by the Maghreb-Europe Pipeline - to 1.1bn cu ms/year in 2006, 2.7bn cu ms/year by 2010 and 5.1bn cu ms/year by 2020, Mr Boutaleb said.

The increased use of gas for power generation would allow the country to export larger amounts of fuel oil and to reconfigure its main refinery to produce less fuel oil. The plan would involve the construction of a 3,500km gas pipeline grid, which will be tendered in 2004. The grid will allow desalination plants and other heavy gas users to be supplied from a combination of imported LNG and pipeline gas from Algeria. Morocco is in the process of reorganizing its energy institutions with the aim of boosting oil and gas exploration and lowering the country's oil import bill. In July, Moroccan MPS approved plans to replace the National Office of Oil Research and Exploration (ONAREP) with a new National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mining (MEES , 21 July). The move was aimed at boosting exploration through greater access to technology, and improving the quality of the country's geological surveys.

Meanwhile, the country's oil refiner Samir has rejected a government proposal to relocate its Mohammedia plant at a cost of over $1bn. The plant, which suffered a major fire in November 2002 (MEES , 2 December 2002), produces 80-90% of the country's domestic petroleum product requirement. Fires in 2002 cut refinery sales by 15% and reduced profits by 74% compared to 2001. According to Samir General Manager Abderrahmane Sa'aidi, the company is instead seeking to press ahead with a reduced investment program - now estimated at $550mn - that will allow the plant to upgrade its facilities and produce Euro-specification products. Samir prequalified bidders for the upgrade work in April 2002, but the program was put on hold after the late-2002 fire (MEES , 29 April 2002). Samir has also called for the government to introduce a new pricing system for petroleum products and reinstate import tariffs for products that were dropped in the wake of the November 2002 fire to facilitate imports. Tariffs were originally introduced in 1997 to protect Samir during its partial privatization.
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm?id=a46n46a24&Section=Countries&page=Morocco&channel=Features%2C%20Analysis%20and%20Opinion&objectid=13F83A62-8988-11D5-867E00D0B74A0D7C
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Morocco's report on fight against torture welcomed in Geneva, say experts
Politics, 11/15/2003

The Presentation by Morocco of its third periodic report before the Geneva-based United Nations committee against torture, was welcomed by
experts who described as "frank and constructive" their dialogue with the Moroccan delegation. Guibril Camara, expert of the committee and its rapporteur for Morocco, said he was impressed by "the political commitment expressed at the highest level of the state" in favour of human rights.
"When we see the Moroccan king grant such a keen interest to a committee in charge of rehabilitating former detainees, it is impressive," said Camara adding that he has "never seen or heard, around the world, of such high level of political commitment." Echoing him, the Committee Chairman, Peter Thomas Burns (Canada) said the dialogue with the Moroccan delegation "is certainly one of the best we have ever had" with a governmental delegation.

Presenting Wednesday Morocco's report, Omar Hilale, Ambassador to the UN, reaffirmed Morocco's commitment to ban all forms of torture and carry on the democratic process. "While acknowledging the difficulty to weigh up sometimes with accuracy the extent of the phenomenon of torture, I can assure you that Moroccan authorities will continue to exert necessary efforts to tackle all forms of torture, inhumane or degrading treatments," said Hilale. He also recalled the measures taken by the Moroccan government related to custody, questioning and detentions conditions under the new law on prisons.

"These measures, he explained, aim at improving conditions of detentions, incriminating acts of torture and attempts to practice such acts, as well as regulating expulsion and extradition" of foreign illegal immigrants.  Touching on terrorism, Hilale recalled last May 16 terrorist's attacks in
Casablanca stressing that the fight against terrorism must not "derail us from the democratic path." "The fight against terrorism, however legitimate, cannot conceal Morocco's attachment to the basic principles of human rights," said the Moroccan ambassador to reassure the committee's experts who said they were worried by the new anti-terrorism law enacted just after the May 16 attacks in Morocco. In this regard, the delegation explained the general conditions that led to the adoption of such a law just like many other countries around the world to deal with the threat of terrorism
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/031115/2003111517.html
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Laureus Sports awards: Morocco's El Guerrouj nominee
Sports, 11/15/2003
The four times 1,500 m world champion, Moroccan Hicham El Guerrouj is a nominee for the world sportsman award that will be extended next May 2004 in Estoril (Portugal) by the Laureus Sports Awards foundation. In addition to El Guerrouj, four other candidates are nominated for the
award of the world sportsman of the year, including the formula one champion, Germany's Michael Schumacher, and cycling champion, American Lance Armstrong.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/031115/2003111519.html
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15 November: Day of the Press in Morocco - NVJ Requests Release of Moroccan Editor in Chief Lambaret.
(Toronto) November 14, 2003

Not only is the 15th of November the 'Day of the Press', but in Morocco it is also the day of the 'Grand Prix National de la Presse'. Reasons for the
NVJ to call upon the Moroccan authorities to release the journalist Ali Lambaret, by contacting the Moroccan ambassador in the Netherlands.
In May this year, Lambaret, editor in chief of two satirical magazines, has been convicted to three years in jail for offending 'the person of the
king'. A few weeks ago, Lambaret was threatened in jail by two men with the message that a substantial amount of drugs would end up in his cell if he continues to publish in Le Monde and in Courier International.

The Moroccan community in our country is also very interested in the fate of Lambaret. Last May, during the trial against Lambaret, the NVJ and several organizations from the Moroccan community in our country, organized a demonstration in front of the Moroccan embassy. The press code in Morocco dates back to 1973 and contains prohibitions to bring news on certain subjects. A number of sanctions, like prison sentences, were weakened - but not completely removed - by a new press law in 2002.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200311170004.html
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Moroccan writer Mohamed Choukri dies
by Associated Press RABAT, Morocco

Mohamed Choukri, a Moroccan writer whose tales about his experiences with drugs and homosexuality were banned at home, has died. He was 68.  Choukri died of cancer Saturday in the northern coastal city of Tangiers, the Union of Moroccan Writers said Sunday.
A friend of Jean Genet, Paul Bowles and Tennessee Williams, Choukri was considered one of Morocco's greatest contemporary authors. His best-known work was "For Bread Alone," which told of his difficult adolescence.  Published in Paris in 1981, the book was banned in his North African nation until 2001. Bowles, who lived in Morocco for about 50 years until his death in 1999, translated the book into English.  Born into an impoverished family in the northern Rif mountains, Choukri moved to Tangiers in 1943, where he lived as a vagabond before learning to
read as an adult and becoming a teacher. Until his last years, Choukri presided over literary discussions at an American-style bar in Tangiers.
Posted November 17, 2003
http://www.gay.com/news/article.html?2003/11/17/5

Obit-Choukri
RABAT, Morocco, Nov 16, 2003 (AP Online via COMTEX)

Mohamed Choukri, a Moroccan writer whose tales about his experiences with drugs and homosexuality were banned at home, has died. He was 68.  Choukri died of cancer Saturday in the northern coastal city of Tangiers, the Union of Moroccan Writers said Sunday.  A friend of Jean Genet, Paul Bowles and Tennessee Williams, Choukri was considered one of Morocco's greatest contemporary authors. His best-known work was "For Bread Alone," which told of his difficult adolescence.  Published in Paris in 1981, the book was banned in his North African nation until 2001. Bowles, who lived in Morocco for about 50 years until his death in 1999, translated the book into English.  Born into an impoverished family in the northern Rif mountains, Choukri moved to Tangiers in 1943, where he lived as a vagabond before learning to read as an adult and becoming a teacher. Until his last years, Choukri presided over literary discussions at an American-style bar in Tangiers.  Moroccan Writer Mohamed Choukri, 68, Dies
Copyright 2003 Associated Press, All rights reserved
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm?id=320w7915&section=Countries&page=Morocco&channel=All%20Morocco%20News&objectid=22403786-8F1A-11D4-867000D0B74A0D7C
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Morocco joins WTO's IT agreement
Last week Morocco joined a World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreement on removing all tariff barriers to information technology (IT) products such as personal computers and telecoms equipment. The committee of participants on the expansion of trade in IT products approved the participation Morocco, which became the 61st member of the WTO's Information Technology Agreement (ITA).

Morocco's Ambassador Omar Hilale presented his country's membership request to the committee on November 5, 2003, saying that Morocco's imports of IT products have been rising in recent years due to tariff cuts, adding that Rabat intends to eliminate most of these tariffs by April 1, 2004 under the ITA.  Ambasador Hilale said that joining the ITA would make prices of IT inputs in Morocco more competitive and send the right signal to foreign investors.  From the 29 participants that negotiated the ITA during WTO's First Ministerial Conference in Singapore in December 1996, membership has now risen to 61 that account for about 97% of world trade in IT products.  Participation in the ITA means that the country must eliminate tariffs and all other duties and charges on covered IT imports from all WTO members.
http://www.miningweekly.co.za/min/news/today/?show=44009
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Spain, Morocco unite against illegal immigration
MADRID, Nov. 18

Spain and Morocco agreed on Tuesday to high level cooperation to combat illegal immigration, crack down on smugglers and stop the human tragedy in which unknown thousands of migrants perish at sea The two countries, neighbours across the Mediterranean, set aside long-standing differences over illegal immigration and agreed to exchange police officers and hold monthly meetings of top Interior Ministry officials, starting on December 3.  ''In order to stop the trafficking of human beings and the disdain for human life and personal dignity that goes with it, cooperation (between Spain and Morocco) is indispensable,'' Spanish Interior Minister Angel Acebes told a joint news conference.  Moroccan Interior Minister Mustapha Sahelsaid the new commitment came in addition to measures taken last week by King Mohammed to create a new government department and police force for border and immigration matters.  Sahel also said Morocco was enacting new laws specially tailored to stop
illegal immigration, including additional penalties for public servants such as police or customs agents caught cooperating with traffickers. The moves come less than a month after at least 36 people drowned when attempting to cross from Morocco after their vessel sank off the Spanish
port of Cadiz.

Immigrants' rights groups say more than 200 would-be immigrants to Spain have either drowned or been reported lost at sea this year, and that some 4,000 have died since 1997.  Many of the details, such as how many police officers would be exchanged, have yet to be worked out. The monthly meetings would be held under the auspices of a permanent, bilateral agency.  Acebes also said the two countries have been in contact with France, Italy, Algeria and Libya about extending cooperation to more countries of the Mediterranean. 

Illegal immigration has been a point of friction between Madrid and Rabat, with Morocco arguing that financial aid from the European Union would allow it to tackle it more effectively.  Acebes said Spain was willing to help in any way it could but did not specify financial aid.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior
written consent of Reuters.
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2010 Reasons to Host the World Cup.
Morocco, November-4 Volume 23. 18.11.2003
While hosting a World Cup is no mean feat, trying to win the rights to host the world's most important tournament is even harder. Morocco has already tried once before, with the ordeal leading many to believe it foolish to try again. Yet this time round, with the country officially declaring its
candidacy to host the 2010 finals mid-week, initial wariness is being replaced by renewed optimism.

The mobilisation effort has been impressive. Forget T-shirts and hats and champagne for foreign dignitaries - though there has been plenty of all
three. This time round, the World Cup campaign has been a well-organised effort by the government, the Maroc 2010 coordinating team and the
population at large.

The government has committed itself wholeheartedly to the project, with the prime minister coordinating efforts. State support has taken the form of infrastructural aid, such as road and port construction, and plans to build stadiums. Of the latter, three already exist and need minor upgrading, three are already under construction, and building of three more will begin should Morocco win the race.

Finance is important. Around EUR4bn has already been budgeted in the period 2004-10 for the infrastructure work and over 80% of the required financing has already been identified. The government has gone so far as to place EUR140m in a Swiss bank account to cover any potential shortfalls. The international football association, FIFA, always loath to bail out a host, is bound to be impressed.

Talking of FIFA, as its prime source of revenue during the World Cup is from the media, the association is very stringent vis-à-vis the providing of
media infrastructure. FIFA regulations demand large centralised media and international broadcasting centres. Again, Morocco was able to come up
trumps, with an exhibition centre already reserved for the purpose in Casablanca.

The coordinating team is benefiting from its new business-friendly approach, giving it a more result-oriented environment. The team has also used both national and international marketing professionals to great effect. The task: re-branding the Morocco image. That notwithstanding, it has also
relied on its cultural resources to great effect: exotic Marrakesh apparently went down particularly well with the FIFA visitors. 

As did the Raja-Wydad match, the local Casablanca derby, and the semi-finals of a local cup. Local derbies around the world tend to simmer with tension, and many might have thought it a risky business to introduce visiting dignitaries to the boiling cauldron of the stadium that day. Yet the head of the FIFA team said he was impressed with how sporting the rivalry was - whistling and singing rather than bottles and punches.

It may of course be a different question when it comes to hooligans of the Germanic variety, but it can only be hoped that they either get barred by efficient police work, or get transformed into docile lambkins by the warm reception of gentle locals.

So, with the technical bid and visit done, the next round of lobbying is the most decisive: how to convince 13 of the 24 FIFA voters that Morocco stands out from the crowd. In its favour, the 2010 World Cup has been promised to Africa, reducing the number of contenders to just Morocco, South Africa, Egypt, Tunisia and Libya. Most feel that only Morocco and South Africa are serious players, with the latter the early favourite for two reasons: firstly it was robbed cruelly of the 2006 World Cup thanks to New Zealand skulduggery. Secondly it is the only 'black' African country - an asset for a continent that is externally perceived in darker skin-shade terms.

However, as in the words of King Hassan II, "There is no African without a black blood origin." Furthermore, Morocco has developed close political and economic links with francophone West Africa. On the football front it has been a continental leader: first African country to qualify for the finals (1970), first to get to the second round (1986), and in Raja, Morocco also has a team that regularly whips the continental competition.

So lobby they must. To the European football association, UEFA, Morocco can show its proximity and money-spinning opportunities. To the Latin American CONMEBOL, Morocco can show its passion for football. To the Asian association, AFC, Morocco can show... well, its Manchester United supporters (you'll notice the shirts amongst Wydad fans at least).

Football is certainly in the Moroccan blood. Watching 80 000 contented Raja supporters leave the stadium on October 10, 2003, having beaten a
Cameroonian team to reach yet another final, one gets the impression that this is exactly what the country needs
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Morocco denies Amnesty International allegations on torture in Morocco
Politics, 11/19/2003
Morocco has rejected Amnesty International allegations over a sharp rise of human rights breaches in Morocco. Moroccan communication minister and government spokesman, Nabil Benabdellah, said in an interview aired Monday in the BBC, Morocco is acting in accordance with the legislation in force.  Asked about AI's report to the UN human rights commission in which it notes "a step backwards in what has otherwise been a positive trend on Morocco," the official said the organization has failed to counter check the information it obtained with Moroccan authorities. He further explained that Morocco has adopted the anti-terrorism law in order to preserve its democracy.

Amnesty International said "The first is a sharp rise in the number of reported cases of torture or ill-treatment. Amnesty International has
recorded scores of allegations of torture or ill-treatment in the past two years alone. While cases of torture or ill-treatment continued to be
reported throughout the 1990s and first two years of this millennium, Amnesty International had welcomed the fact that significantly fewer were
recorded in that period than in previous decades."

It said "The second development of concern is the promulgation on 28 May 2003 of a new law on 'combating terrorism', which amends the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code by adding new provisions and amending others... In particular, the law extends the legal limits for garde a vue
(pre-arraignment detention), when - as discussed in subsequent sections - detainees are most at risk of torture or ill-treatment." Morocco denied the existence of torture in Morocco and pointed out that "it is customary that people prosecuted for terrorism charges claim that their confessions have been obtained by force."
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Marwa To Open Casablanca And Rabat Stores
17 Nov 2003. Source: just-style.com
Newly-established textile company Marwa will open stores in Casablanca and the capital Rabat in mid-December. The new outlets, to be named Maarif and Label Vie respectively, will sell women's and girls' apparel bearing the Marwa label. The company, founded by president Karim Tazi with an investment of US$3.2 million, employs domestic and foreign designers with a roster of about 50 staff. Tazi said plans were under way for the creation of 12 additional stores in 2004, with the option of a franchising system, and a view to begin exporting to Tunisia in 2005. He added that a men's fashion line, Marwane, would begin production in the second half of next year.
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Moroccan MPS okay 2004 budget amid protests
RABAT, Nov 17 (Reuters)

Morocco's lower-house of parliament on Monday approved the 2004 budget bill, amid opposition criticism that it increased foreign debt burden and weakened investment.  A parliament spokesman said 88 of the 325-member house approved the bill while 35 voted against and two abstained, with no major amendments introduced.  The Moroccan bi-cameral parliament is rarely full because of high absenteeism rates among MPs. The bill will now move to the upper-house for approval before the end of the year.  "This budget was a real disappointment on all fronts," Economist and top
opposition MP Lahcen Daodi said to justify his no vote.  State investment budget in 2004, for instance, should have been under the five-year 2000-2004 plan at 28 billion dirhams ($3 billion) and foreign debt is set to rise 24 percent compared to 2003, he argued.  "Debt servicing under this government exceeded by two-fold investment budget...Investment has stagnated for another year at 19 billion dirhams," the moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) member, told Reuters.

Analysts said the government, through this budget, was not seeking to boost investment and therefore aggregate demand and growth.  "Initial plans to boost demand, such as cutting income tax and value added tax, were scrapped to concentrate on the new priorities: housing and security," a financial analyst said.  Security and housing have become top priorities after the May 16 attacks in Casablanca, in which 45 people were killed, including 12 suicide bombers, almost all of them lived in shantytowns. The budget forecasts 3.0 percent economic growth in 2004 from 5.5 percent in 2003 and an unchanged inflation rate of 2.0 percent. ((Reporting by Souhail Karam; Reuters Messaging: souhail.karam.reuters.com@reuters.net +212-37720065))
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Democracy cannot live without a free press, says minister
Politics, 11/18/2003
Moroccan minister of communication has emphasized the role of the press in the democratic process saying that democracy cannot live without a free press.

It is absolutely important to consider that democracy cannot live without a free but also responsible press, said Nabil Benabdallah who was quoting the message addressed, last year, by king Mohammed VI to the press on the occasion of the "Media Day" celebrated every November 15.

"Everybody must be aware of the role of the press in pursuing our democratic project," said the Moroccan minister who was addressing journalists at a ceremony held here Saturday to award the "National Press Grand Prix" (GPNP). The prize was instituted by the Moroccan king on November 15, 2002, to give, as the minister put it, "a new impetus to the national media." It will also have an extremely important role in building democracy in Morocco, he said.

The Four recipients of this year's prize aimed at rewarding best efforts in the media (Radio, TV, Newspapers etc.) voiced satisfaction and pride for
this initiative which constitutes "a new tool to support the press" as was emphasized by the minister who noted that the number of candidates vying for this prize has reached 117.

In an interview Saturday with the Daily "Assahra Al Maghribya," Benabdallah shed light on the project of liberalizing the audiovisual sector saying that a number of criteria have been set to prevent "excess," insisting that no political party will have the right to own a TV or radio station, nor will
it be allowed to create a religious station.

On the new Press Code, the minister noted that the only issue that "irritates" journalists is the aspect of prison terms provided for in this code against those who violate some provisions related to the sacred nature of religion, monarchy, constitution and territorial integrity. He said he preferred there were no such punishments while insisting on the necessity to defend society in all its components and its institutions
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Past human rights breaches to be handled humanely, vows head of HR body
Politics, 11/20/2003
Chairman of the Moroccan human rights advisory council, Omar Azziman, said cases of past human rights breaches will be handled humanely on the basis of justice and equity in order to repair moral, psychological and social harm done to victims. Azziman, who was guest to a program broadcast Tuesday by Morocco's TV channel "TVM," vowed that the newly-created Commission of Justice and Reconciliation will spare no effort to repair harms done to victims and to shelve once and for all the file in a fair and equitable way.

After he explained that reconciliation has a large and comprehensive dimension as it reconciles citizens with their history, their past as well
as with the state, Azziman pointed out that the reconciliation process has already started in Morocco since the royal pardon decreed in 1994 for
political prisoners, the return of all those who were in exile, and the settlement of the administrative situation of former political prisoners.
The process was carried on when the issue of forced disappearance and arbitrary detentions was opened in 1998, leading to the creation of the
reconciliation and equity commission that was created early this month to shelve the issue once and for all, he stressed.

Debate and dialogue is still going on to build on gains and bring about amendments and improvement, said Azziman who also recalled that the
recommendation to create the commission was approved unanimously by the CCDH members, including representatives of political parties, trade unions and human rights organizations. He also explained that the body does not represent the state nor the victims, and that it is not an elected body but a body that has a technical, humanist, cultural and historical dimension.
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Moroccan Government, Spanish Group Sign Tourism Promotion Deal
RABAT, Nov.20

The Moroccan government and the Spanish Group of Tourism promotion, Globalia, signed here Wednesday a partnership agreement during a
ceremony chaired by prime minister, Driss Jettou. Under the agreement, Globalia's airliner, Air Europa, will start operating a regular and direct Madrid-Marrakesh flight.. Air Europa, founded in 1986, has since 1991 focused on becoming one of the leading airlines in Europe. It operates a fleet of 30 Boeing airplanes on a network that includes most of the Spanish territory. It has European destinations such as Paris, Milan, Rome and London, as well as transatlantic destinations including Salvador de Baha, Havana, Santo Domingo, Caracas, Cancun and Punta Cana.

Air Europa has already signed collaboration agreements with Aeropostal, Air France, Air Luxor, Alitalia, Continential Airlines, KLM, Malev, Southern
Winds and Tunisair. Globalia will also co-invest with the Moroccan tourism office (ONMT) in an advertising campaign aimed at promoting the Morocco destination in the Spanish market. This is the second accord of the kind signed by the Moroccan government after the one with "TUI", a leader of integrated tourism. The agreement was signed by equipment and transport minister, Karim Ghellab, tourism minister, Adil Douiri and Globalia's CEO, Juan Jose Hidalgo. © MAP 2003 http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm

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