SPEECH OF H.E THE AMBASSADOR TO “FRIENDS OF MOROCCO”

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

First of all, I would like to express my very deep appreciation to the President of “Friends of Morocco”, Mr. Timothy Resch, for all his endeavors to promote and strengthen the bonds between Morocco and the United States of America at all levels. Upon my recent arrival here, I became immediately aware of the numerous commendable efforts you were undertaking to make Morocco known in this country and to work toward reuniting Americans with Moroccan experience. Your organization includes also Moroccans in America including immigrants and Moroccans temporarily working or studying in the U.S, all united to promote educational, cultural, charitable and social exchanges between the two countries.

In this regard, I also would like to express my thanks and gratitude to all the friends of Morocco especially those returned Peace Corps volunteers who served there with deep commitment and devotion.

I am glad and that my arrival in the United States coincides with the celebration of the 40+1 anniversary of Peace Corps volunteers and to have the opportunity to meet with and invite some of those who served in our country.

As I already had the pleasure to meet and discuss with Mr. Resch some issues of interest both to Friends of Morocco and to our Embassy, I look forward to the forthcoming meeting with Ambassador Dane Smith, President of the National Peace Corps Association to continue fostering the already excellent relations we have with Peace Corps.

Ladies and gentlemen, as you all know the exposure to different cultures, races and religions lead to mutual exchange and to better understanding, which, I am sure is your case. Because of the misperception some are having about Islam and the Arab world after September 11^th in this country, I am convinced that you are excellent Ambassadors of Morocco in your regions and States, doing all your best in clarifying any misconceptions there may be about Morocco and Islam as you have experienced it in our country.

As agreed with Mr. Resch, I am hoping to work with all of you personally and to get you more involved and work together while you are in your regions and local communities.

It is a blessing that our two countries are made of multifold cultures. Since the beginning of its history, Morocco was open to migration from different parts of the Arab Peninsula, from Black Africa, from Spain and Europe. This gave the natives of Morocco, the Berbers, a richness as to make of our culture, traditions and art a mixture of different civilizations.

It is this co-existence, this mosaic of expressions that forges a strong relationship, similarity and commonality between our two countries, for which country reflects this melting-pot best, if not the United States? A nation of migrants and of different civilizations it is this mixture and diversity which is the essence of the greatness of the United States.

Our countries are diverse but united in spirit, and you are not without knowing that owing to our multiethnic nature we are likewise nations of tolerance and understanding. The friendship that has characterized our relationship over the past two centuries is deeply embedded in our common values of liberty, democracy, and peace. But, as His Majesty the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, said in a recent message addressed to a Moroccan exhibition, taking place now in Indianapolis, there are messengers of darkness and evil who are attempting to set us against each other, culture against culture, religion against religion.

In this respect, I trust you will do all your best to continue explaining Morocco to your neighbors, to your friends and co-workers. I am also projecting to set up, with your support, a program of action in your States, cities and communities to promote cultural, educational and economic exchanges. I have the ambition to make Morocco known in all the regions of this great country starting from the conviction that United States is not only Washington DC.

I am hoping to establish contacts with your State authorities and representatives and to launch projects of exchanges with your universities, businessmen and corporations for the benefit of our two countries. There is a lot that can be done. The intention and the will are great, the task is not easy for the project is far-reaching and ambitious, but with your help and support I am sure we will be able to achieve some of these goals.

Thank you very much again for your presence and participation and my warmest welcome to all of you.

                                                            The Ambassador of His Majesty

                                                                        Aziz Mekouar