FOM Newsletter May 2004
Morocco Week in Review 
May 1 2004

Morocco "Solid Ally" to US in Counter-terrorism, US dep. Report
HM King announces new strategy to shield Morocco against terrorism
Over 1,300 AIDS cases reported in morocco by end 2003
100 to 180 cancer cases per 100,000 people in Morocco
Morocco eyes 8,000 handicapped athletes in 2005
Investments in Morocco rise by 7.5 percent
Moody's issues annual report on Morocco.
Morocco's Citrus Fruits Not Affected by Locust Invasion
FAO: Locusts pose serious threat to Morocco citrus crop.
Universal Music France opens Morocco branch

Morocco "Solid Ally" to US in Counter-terrorism, US dep. Report
WASHINGTON, Apr. 30

Morocco remains a "steadfast ally" of the United States in the war on terror, said the US state department in its annual report on Patterns of Global Terrorism. The report, published Thursday, recalled that Morocco faced "unprecedented terrorist activity in the Kingdom in 2003," referring to last May 16 terrorist attacks that hit Casablanca, killing 45 people, including the 12 suicide bombers, and injuring scores of others.

"King Muhammad VI has unambiguously condemned those who espouse or conduct terrorism, has been a consistent voice for tolerance and moderation, and has worked to keep Rabat firmly on the side of the United States against extremists," the release underlined. "Domestically, Morocco's historical record of vigilance against terrorist activity remained uninterrupted in 2003.

Despite these efforts, on 16 May, suicide bombers simultaneously detonated bombs at restaurants, hotels, and a Jewish cultural center in the seaside city of Casablanca," it went on. Moroccan authorities, the release said, "quickly identified the bombers as local adherents of the "Salafiya Jihadiya" movement," pointing out that "the attacks underscored the danger of terrorism from domestic extremists and their international allies, and Moroccan authorities reacted swiftly to reduce the threat."

The document recalled that "days after the attacks, the Moroccan legislature passed a law that broadened the definition of terrorism, proposed heavy sentences for inciting terrorism, expanded the power of authorities to investigate suspected terrorists, and facilitated prosecution of terrorist cases." "Throughout the summer and fall, authorities arrested hundreds of terrorist suspects and sentenced dozens to lengthy prison terms and, in some cases, execution," said the report. "Courts tried in absentia extremists located overseas who were suspected of facilitating the attacks in Casablanca and issued warrants for their arrest," said the report.  It also underscored that "Morocco is a party to 10 of the 12 international conventions and protocols relating to terrorism, including the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism."MAP 2004 http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/home_dep/home_dep09.htm
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HM King announces new strategy to shield Morocco against terrorism
Casablanca, Apr. 30

HM King Mohammed VI of Morocco on Friday announced a three-part plan designed to overhaul and revamp the domain of religious affairs in order to "shield Morocco against the perils of extremism and terrorism." In a speech before members of the Higher Council and Provincial Councils of Ulemas (Scholars), at the royal palace in Casablanca, the Monarch said this "comprehensive, multi-faceted and integrated strategy" is meant to "preserve the distinctive Moroccan identity, which is characterized by moderation and tolerance."

The institutional aspect of this strategy, he explained, involves the restructuring of the Ministry for waqf and religious affairs. To this end, HM the King promulgated a Dahir (Royal decree) setting up two directorates, one for traditional education, and the other in charge of mosques. Legislation on places of worship will also be reconsidered to ensure that "architectural requirements are complied with and that acts of worship are performed in a quiet, peaceful atmosphere," the sovereign said adding that, at the same time, the aim is to ascertain that places of worship are financed in a transparent, legal and sustainable manner.

Eager to "shield the domain of religion from the influence of some intruders acting outside the legal institutional framework," the monarch asked the Higher Council of Ulema to submit to him, in his capacity of "Amir al Muminin" (Commander of the Faithfull) and President of the Council, Fatwas (religious ruling) "on events and matters with religious implications, lest others resort to expedient ploys or seek to spread confusion and chaos."

HM King Mohammed VI also insisted in his speech on the supervisory role assigned to this body that will remain, according to him, purely formal in the absence of a "third pillar, a fundamental one, namely sound Islamic education and modern scientific training. The Monarch vowed to remain "at the forefront of the struggle against all destructive currents that are alien to our society, which remains unwaveringly committed to the moderation and purity of Islam." "This commitment applies to all Moroccans, including my loyal subjects who live abroad," he insisted.

The new Ulema Councils, he said, will be composed of learned persons known for their loyalty to the sacred institutions of the nation as well as for their erudition as religious scholars and their open-minded attitude to modern times. The Monarch urged their members to listen to the citizens, especially young people, and to protect their faith and minds against those who have strayed and those who distort the truth. "I also want the membership of these Councils to include women well-versed in religious matters. We would thus be doing justice to women and treating them on an equal footing with men." © MAP 2004

http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/home_dep/home_dep09.htm
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Over 1,300 AIDS cases reported in morocco by end 2003
Health, 4/26/2004

Some 1,316 cases of AIDS were reported in Morocco by December 31 2003, revealed a report on the epidemiological situation of AIDS in Morocco drawn up by the health ministry. The document, distributed by the anti-AIDS pan-African Organization (OPALS), points out that 63% of people suffering from AIDS are men and that 85% of cases are from urban areas. The report says that 44% of AIDS sufferers are aged from 30 to 39, 25% from 15 to 29, 18% from 40 to 49 and 3% are less than 15 years old.

On the ways of infection, the document underlines that 84% of AIDS cases were contracted through unsafe sexual intercourses, 3% through syringes by drug consumers, 3% via mother-to-child transmission and 1% during blood transfusion. The survey also notes an increase in sexually transmitted diseases that rose from 103,434 cases in 1992 to 349,427 in 2002.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/040426/2004042623.html
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100 to 180 cancer cases per 100,000 people in Morocco
Health, 4/30/2004

The rate of cancer in Morocco ranges from 100 to 180 per 100,000 people, health minister, Mohamed Cheikh Biadillah, said Wednesday. The minister, who was answering a question during the parliament's weekly question time, noted that breast cancer represents 15 percent of these cases. He announced that cancer care centers will be reinforced by the creation of two new specialized units in Oujda (east) and Al Hoceima (north). These projects will be carried out in collaboration with Mohammed V solidarity Foundation and the council in the region, he underlined.

Biadillah recalled that other cancer care centers were set up in other Moroccan regions, explaining that their creation will help sooth the suffering of patients living away from Rabat and Casablanca where most cancer care centers are located. He added that some programs were carried out at local levels to train general doctors on the early detection of this disease, deploring that the number of specialized doctors remains insufficient.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/040430/2004043023.html
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Morocco eyes 8,000 handicapped athletes in 2005
Sports, 4/24/2004

Head of the Moroccan committee in charge of handicapped athletics said Morocco aspires to spread the practice of sports among handicapped persons to reach 8,000 disabled athletes by the turn of 2005. Executive-director of the "Special Maroc Olympics," Mohamed Ktiri, told a press conference held to present the 5th national athletics games for mentally-disabled persons, said Morocco has developed promising actions that resulted in Moroccan disabled athletes making outstanding performances in various continental and international contests.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/040424/2004042422.html
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Investments in Morocco rise by 7.5 percent
Economics, 4/30/2004

Investments conducted in Morocco in 2003 increased by 7.5 percent compared to last year, finance and privatisation minister, Fathallah Oulalou, said Wednesday. Answering questions at the House of Representatives on obstacles hindering investment, Oualalou noted that these investments generated 126,000 jobs, adding that excess in liquid assets surplus is currently valued at 6 billion Dhs (9.19 Dhs = US $1). He pointed out, nonetheless, that the problem of investment is complicated because it is linked to various factors including, funding, know-how, economy upgrading, infrastructures, human resources and justice reform.

On banks' weak contribution to funding small and medium-sized enterprises, Oualalou said his department is currently trying to resolve the problems which young enterprises are confronting by extending loans reimbursement deadlines up to 15 years. In the same connection, the minister called on financial institutions to involve further in the funding of small and medium-sized enterprises.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/040430/2004043021.html
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Moody's issues annual report on Morocco.
Wed Apr 28, 2004 (The following statement was released by the rating agency) NEW YORK, April 28

In its annual report on Morocco, Moody's Investors Service says the kingdom's Ba1 foreign currency ceiling for debt, the Ba1 rating for government bonds, and its stable rating outlook are due to the improvement of public finance as well as the downward trend of public debt. The foreign currency ceiling for bank deposits is Ba2. "Public finances have improved over the last two years," says Moody's analyst Sara Bertin, author of the report. "Total debt was at 79.1% of GDP in 2002, down from 96.4% in 1997." Until 2000, she explains, the decline was mainly due to a surplus of the primary balance. "But, in 2001, the downward trend in the debt-to-GDP ratio was sustained because of privatisation receipts." The largest reduction in the debt-to-GDP ratio occurred in 2002 and 2003 when the country benefited from a GDP growth rate higher than that of the real rate of interest. "We are expecting a continuing decrease in the debt ratio with the pace depending on how the government reacts to political and economic events," says Ms. Bertin. While Morocco's large traditional agricultural sector contributes only 15% of GDP during good years, it employs 45% of the labour force, insuring that any weather-related volatility has a significant impact on GDP. In 2003, GDP growth was 5.5%, largely because significant rainfalls that followed four years of drought, and which have ensured strong growth in GDP and in agricultural output. "The performance of the real economy remains a concern," says Ms. Bertin. "Another concern is high unemployment, especially among the large population of young people." Morocco's heavy fiscal expenditures are also partly caused by a high wage bill, which the government is tackling by imposing new hiring limits. "A decrease in the volatility of real GDP growth would be a welcome sign that the economy is developing beyond the agricultural sector," says Ms. Bertin. "A sustainable and credible drop in public debt would also put upward pressure on the ratings." The rating agency's report, "Morocco: Global Credit Research," is a yearly update to the markets and is not a formal action to alter the credit rating of the issuer. http://www.reuters.com/financeNewsArticle.jhtml?type=bondsNews&storyID=4974933
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Morocco's Citrus Fruits Not Affected by Locust Invasion
RABAT, Apr.29

The Moroccan citrus fruit orchards were not affected by the locust invasion and all measures were taken to protect it and other plants, says a communiqué released at the end of a joint meeting Wednesday between the national coordinator of the fight against locusts and officials from the interior and agriculture ministries. Morocco has raised 170 million DH (US$ 18.8 million) in funds to the anti-locust control, in addition to international aid earmarked or pledged by friend countries and international organizations, including the FAO.

The communiqué was made public in reaction to information by the FAO warning that citrus crops grown in Morocco and exported to Europe and North America, with an estimated value of $400 million, could be at risk in the coming months, as a result of the "extremely serious" locust threat. The source also says up to April 26, an area of 3,000 hectares was infested by locusts in the region between Bouarfa and Oujda (eastern Morocco) The total treated areas reached 908,282 ha as at April 17. The last desert locust plague, in 1987-1989, took several years and more than $300 million before it was brought to an end. © MAP 2004 http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm
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FAO: Locusts pose serious threat to Morocco citrus crop.
Country faces worst situation in 10 years. By Agence France Presse Wednesday, April 28, 2004 ROME

The worst locust situation in 10 years in northwest Africa poses a serious risk to the citrus crop in Morocco, the Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned Tuesday. "Widespread laying, hatching and band formation are in progress in the spring breeding areas south of the Atlas Mountains in Morocco and Algeria," said Keith Cressman, FAO Locust Information Officer. "There are also large locust populations in northern Mauritania and some in Niger as well," Cressman said. "This is the most serious locust situation in the region for 10 years."

Despite efforts to control the locust population, citrus crops grown in Morocco and exported to Europe and North America, with an estimated value of $400 million, could be at risk in the coming months, the FAO said. "It is very difficult to find and treat all of the desert locust infestations because many of them are scattered in remote areas," Cressman said. "This is further compounded by insufficient resources being available in Mauritania and Niger, and a rapid drying up of funds in other countries." More than $17 million have been spent since October last year on locust control operations that have treated nearly 1.4 million hectares in the region. Most of the money was provided from national budgets within the affected countries. An equal amount is needed to continue the campaign during the spring and extend it to breeding areas in the Sahel in west Africa during the summer, FAO said. The last desert locust plague, in 1987-1989, took several years and more than $300 million to contain.
The desert locust, a grasshopper, is normally found at very low densities in the desert in about 20 countries between Mauritania and India. But with favorable breeding conditions, they can multiply and swarm, devastating crops.
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Universal Music France opens Morocco branch
Business, 4/30/2004

Universal Music France has opened a branch in Morocco to produce Moroccan artists and develop new supply and distribution networks, sources at the multinational firm said. Chairman of the group, Pascal Negre, said the Casablanca branch will serve as a platform for cultural and music distribution in north Africa. Moroccan artists will have a chance to enjoy the same marketing conditions as their western peers, he told a press conference. He added that artists will have access to the Casablanca "Platinium Music" studios and their rights will be protected. It will also sell to Moroccan music buffs the latest hits and novelties simultaneously as in Europe.

For the Manager of the Casablanca Platinium music, audio tapes will be sold at 24 DH (around 2.4 Euros) while CDs will be sold at a price ranging between 39 and 200 DH (3.9 Euros and 20), which is 30% lower than in international markets. He added that the new store will be selling its products through the agencies of Maroc-Telecom (Morocco's land and mobile phone operator). Some 20 million audio tapes (including 2 millions exported to Algeria) and 4 million CDs were sold in the Moroccan market in 2003.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/040430/2004043020.html

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