Midelt - HM King Mohammed VI delivered a speech to the Moroccan people on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the Green March.
Here follows the full text of the speech:
Praise be to God. May peace and blessings be upon the Prophet, His Kith and Kin
My loyal subjects,
As we celebrate the thirty-fifth anniversary of the glorious Green March, we are firmly determined to give new meaning to this epic event through bold, participatory initiatives and ongoing democratic, development-oriented measures that enhance the nation’s unity.
The most important measure is the autonomy initiative, which has brought about a decisive shift and made it possible to go beyond the stage of national consensus and UN and international support. Not only has it elicited positive reactions across the board, but it has also been seen as a beacon of hope inside the Tindouf camps.
The autonomy initiative constitutes a break with approaches deemed inapplicable by the United Nations Organization. It has triggered a positive, realistic negotiating process under the aegis of the United Nations.
Whereas our country has always taken a clear, realistic stand and been committed to dialogue, the enemies of our territorial integrity have consistently sought to evade their responsibilities, resorting to endless maneuvers to foil the innovative, dynamic process set in motion by the autonomy initiative.
The international community, therefore, has to clearly and unequivocally say who is responsible for obstructing the negotiating process. Needless to say, Morocco’s adversaries are doing all they can to maintain the current state of inertia, obduracy and division, rather than promote dialogue and concord.
The era of shirking one’s responsibilities is over; now is the moment of truth, when the international community will see the repression, intimidation, humiliation and torture suffered by our sons and daughters in the Tindouf camps, in blatant violation of the basic principles of international humanitarian law.
In the face of such a tragic situation, my loyal subjects in the camps - men and women, young and old - are bravely and increasingly standing up to tyranny and oppression, as is clearly illustrated by their return to the homeland in great numbers, notwithstanding a merciless siege. They are responding freely and spontaneously to the autonomy initiative and the advanced regionalization project.
We want to draw the attention of the international community and of human rights organizations to the fact that it is neither admissible nor equitable to be indifferent to or complacent about a situation that is peculiar from the legal perspective, tragic from the humanitarian angle and unacceptable from the political viewpoint.
I also call on the international community and human rights organizations to shoulder their responsibilities, by bringing an end to such unprecedented behavior as Algeria’s ongoing violations of international humanitarian law, particularly its refusal to let the UNHCR conduct a population census in the camps or protect the residents there.
Let me point out, in this regard, that I shall never abandon my loyal subjects in the Tindouf camps, or wherever else they may be. We shall spare no effort to enable them to enjoy their basic rights to freedom of expression and movement, and their right of return to their homeland.
I condemn the shameful abuse of the freedoms afforded by our country. This is an attempt to undermine our territorial integrity, and we shall allow no one to challenge or disrupt the democratic process under way in the country.
My loyal subjects,
Morocco, which exercises full sovereignty over its entire territory and unequivocally upholds its international obligations, condemns the incorrect, misleading reference being made to “controlled areas” east of the line of defense. Surely, everyone knows the peaceful nature of that line, and the wise reasons behind its creation.
Our country will accept no violation, alteration, or questioning of the Moroccan character of these areas; nor will it tolerate provocative attempts to impose facts on the ground or upset the status quo.
Being committed to the nation’s best interests and to international legitimacy, Morocco will continue to cooperate, in good faith, with the UN Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy in order to achieve a final, political solution to this artificial regional dispute, on the basis of the autonomy initiative.
My loyal subjects,
Whatever positive developments there may be in connection with our national cause, we have to keep in mind that to capitalize on these changes and successfully rise to the challenge, we have to pursue the implementation of the integrated strategic action I outlined in last year’s speech commemorating the Green March.
First of all, there is the advanced regionalization project which I have launched and from which the Saharan provinces will be the first to benefit. It involves broader democratic management of regional affairs and the promotion of human rights through regional and local mechanisms. The Saharan provinces will also be benefitting from devolved governance, on a priority basis.
Secondly, there is the restructuring of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs. God willing, we shall soon be issuing the Royal Decree instituting the Council with its new membership; it will be set up in light of the following fundamental reform measures:
- the democratization of the Council’s make-up by restricting its membership to representative institutions, tribal leaders and key figures, making sure it is more open, in particular, to new elites, especially those representing local civil society, human rights institutions, young people, women and productive sectors, as well as representatives of our citizens who have returned to the homeland and of Moroccans living abroad;
- the introduction of good governance to ensure the Council has efficient bodies and uses rational working methods;
- the expansion the Council’s powers to include prerogatives relating, in particular, to representation, development, national and international mobilization, as well as steps to achieve reconciliation among all the sons and daughters of the Moroccan Sahara.
As regards the third course of action, concerning the restructuring of the Agency for the Development of the Southern Provinces, I have made the following two decisions:
the first one concerns the Agency’s jurisdiction in the Saguia El Hamra and Oued Eddhahab region, as well as the focus to be placed on implementing human development projects and local programs that create jobs for youth, foster social justice and facilitate the accommodation and integration of our fellow citizens who return to the motherland.
The second decision concerns the creation of a similar agency that will have jurisdiction over the remaining regions currently covered by the Agency for the Development of the Southern Provinces, as well as over other regions. The new agency will be entrusted with the task of pursuing efforts to develop these regions which are dear to my heart. In this connection, I ask the government to take the necessary measures to implement these two decisions as quickly as possible.
As for the main elements of the strategy designed to keep up the nation’s mobilization and support the untiring efforts of our diplomatic service, I should like to insist on the need to bolster our diplomatic action with bold, parallel initiatives to be undertaken by Parliament, political parties, human rights associations, civil society and the media with a view to defending our just cause.
I should like, in this respect, to reiterate our loyalty to the memory of the architect of the Green March, my revered father His Majesty King Hassan II - may he rest in peace - and our commitment to its everlasting oath. I also want to pay tribute to the martyrs of our territorial integrity, as well as to the military and security forces that are defending the territorial integrity of our nation. I pray that Almighty God grant us success in all we set out to do in order to maintain the unity of our country and promote the dignity of our citizens.
Wassalamu alaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh.
HM the King visits military field hospital in Agouddim (Midelt province)
Agouddim (Midelt) - HM King Mohammed VI visited, on Monday, a military field hospital in the rural commune of Agouddim in the province of Midelt.
- This in one of three field hospitals set up under HM the King's instructions to assist population in Azilal and Midelt provinces.
- The operation will offer the necessary health care for a population facing difficult climate conditions in remote mountainous regions.
The hospital was set up under HM the King's instructions to help and provide health care for the population in anticipation of the winter season and cold spells often accompanied by snowfall in the mountainous region, especially in the High Atlas mountains, which result in traffic problems suffered by local populations, in addition to the difficult climate conditions and the remotness of moutainous regions.
This is one of three field hospitals set up for the same reasons in the rural commune of Amoughar which, like Agouddim, comes under the authority of the province of Midelt, and in the rural commune of Ait M'Hammed (Azilal province).
The three hospitals include physicians and paramedics, operating blocks, and equipment for radiology, gynaecology, paediatrics, otorhinolaryngology, cardiology, dermatology, pneumology, traumatology and dentistry.
The large mobile medical units, operational for over a week now, have already carried out 13,527 medical check-ups.
The Agouddim military hospital serves eight villages and several adjacent communes including 20,000 inhabitants, while the Amoughar hospital offers services for 33,373 people. As for the Ait M'hammed hospital, it provides health care for 21,742 people.
HM the King enquires about urban upgrading programme of five communes in Taounate province
Taounate - HM King Mohammed VI enquired, on Tuesday, about the urban upgrading programme of five communes in Taounate province, to be completed for a total cost of 200 million dirhams (over $ 24 mln).
- The Sovereign was given details about two renovation projects of water supply and sewage disposal networks, worth 104 million dirhams.
- The projects aim to improve the living conditions of the population and enhance the city's attractiveness.
HM the King was briefed on the urban upgrading programme of the communes of Taounate, Karia Ba Mohammed, Ghafsai and Thar Souk, to be completed in December 2014.
The programme is meant to improve the living conditions of over 68,000 inhabitants, notably through setting up recreational and amusement areas, building sports infrastructure and youth reception centers in addition to enhancing communes' revenues.
In this respect, 104 million dirhams will be devoted to reinforcing the road network, 53.1 million dirhams to promoting social infrastructure, 22 million dirhams to upgrading the electricity and public lighting network, while urban and green spaces planning will receive 9 million dirhams.
On the same occasion, HM the King was provided with details on two projects relating to the renovation and reinforcement of the water supply and sewage disposal networks in the city of Taounate, worth 104 million dirhams.
In this connection, the Monarch was briefed on the renovation and reinforcement of the water supply network in the city of Taounate, to be carried out for a total cost of 30 million dirhams.
The programme will be completed next December benefiting 33,000 inhabitants.
HM the King was also given details on the sewage disposal project in the city of Taounate, to be ready in June 2012 for a total cost of 74 million dirhams.
The project is part of the purification programme of the Sebou basin which aims notably at setting up a 30km-long sewage disposal network and building a sewage pumping station, in addition to a water purification plant.
HM the King inaugurates youth centre in Taounate
Taounate - HM King Mohammed VI inaugurated, on Wednesday in Taounate, a youth center worth 2.7 million dirhams.
- The Sovereign enquires about projects initiated by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in the province of Taounate, at a cost of 22 million dirhams (about $ 2.6 mln).
The facility will serve as an open space for youth and local associations to enable them engage in various social activities.
Built on an area of 795 square meters, the center includes, among others, a pavilion for exhibitions, a multimedia room, educational workshops, a reception area and administrative offices.
The facility, which will reinforce the social and cultural infrastructure in the city, is meant to enhance social and educational supervision of youth associations and promotion of young people’s skills and talents.
On this occasion, the Monarch heard explanations on projects initiated by Ministry of Youth and Sports in the province of Taounate. The projects include the construction of a sports hall and an educational campsite.
HM the King was also informed about the projects underway in the province involving the creation of two educational campsites and several social and sports complexes.
HM the King enquires about INDH 2005-2010 results in Taounate province
Taounate - HM King Mohammed VI enquired, on Wednesday in Tissa (Taounate province), about the results of the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH) in the region for the 2005-2010 period, marked by planning 314 projects worth over 88 million dirhams ($10.7mln).
- A total of 314 projects worth over 88 million dirhams planned for the province.
- The Sovereign inaugurates female student residence (Dar Attaliba) in Tissa built for 5.2 million dirhams as part of the INDH.
- HM the King hands medical and pedagogic equipment purchased within the framework of the INDH.
The Sovereign was given details on the different INDH projects in the province, with a contribution amounting to over 59 million dirhams by the Initiative. These projects include a priority program (63 projects in 2005), a cross-region program (233 projects), and the program to fight poverty (18 projects) from 2006 to 2010.
The priority program’s projects, which have mobilized 1.5 million dirhams and benefitted 7.536 people, seek to improve access to basic equipment and services through land development, supporting income-generating activities and purchasing kiosks for street vendors.
The cross-region program, worth 73.6 million dirhams, is aimed at promoting schooling in rural areas and access to sports facilities, fighting school dropout and enhancing health services.
The program to fight poverty, totaling 13.4 million dirhams, includes building social centers, constructing and equipping female student residences and backing associations involved in combating poverty.
HM the King was also informed about projects supporting income-generating activities, carried out between 2005 and 2010, as part of the INDH cross-region program.
The number of these projects amounts to 101 for over 16 million dirhams and benefit 100 associations.
On the same occasion, HM the King inaugurated female student residence (Dar Attaliba) in Tissa built for 5.2 million dirhams as part of the INDH.
Stretching over a surface area of 635 m2, the new facility comprises a hall, an administration, a restaurant, a computer room, a reception lounge and dormitories.
HM the King handed three school buses, an ambulance and firemen equipment purchased within the framework of the INDH for 1.5 million dirhams.
HM the King to pay for burial of law enforcement officers killed in Laayun
Taounate - HM King Mohammed VI will pay for the burial of law enforcement officers who died during the operation of releasing citizens held captive in the Gdiem Izik camp, east of Laayun.
The Sovereign will also pay for the hospitalization of people wounded during the intervention.
The Monarch extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims who perished while fulfilling their national duty and sincere compassion to the injured, wishing them prompt recovery
HM the King sends message to participants in London exhibition Morocco
London - HM King Mohammed VI sent, on Wednesday, a message to the participants in the exhibition Morocco, organized by the Jewish Museum in London in partnership with the Moroccan-British Society, which is chaired by Morocco's ambassador to Great Britain, Chrifa Lalla Joumala Alaoui.
The exhibition includes evocative and vivid images that spontaneously recount the day-to-day life of the Jewish community in Morocco, its religious rites, its professions, its handicraft and its traditions.
Here follows the full text of the royal message which was read out by the King's adviser André Azoulay:
Praise be to God, May peace and blessings be upon His Prophets and Messengers
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I should like, first of all, to pay tribute to Shrifa Lalla Joumala, my Ambassador to the United Kingdom, to the staff of the Jewish Museum in London, as well as to the distinguished figures and institutions that have worked together to organize this exhibition of photographs on Moroccan Jewry.
This is no ordinary event; nor is it simply about sharing the emotions aroused by the aesthetic and artistic quality of the photographs on display.
Above all, ladies and gentlemen, this exhibition attests fervently and passionately to a historical, social and cultural reality which my country - its King and people alike - has always proudly and purposefully endorsed, and always will.
As Commander of the Faithful, I am particularly keen to follow in the footsteps of my revered ancestors, along the wise path they charted, ensuring that the rights and freedoms of my loyal subjects - Muslims and Jews alike - are protected on an equal footing, and that all the expressions and distinctive features of their heritage are properly safeguarded.
The Kingdom of Morocco boasts a richly diverse, multi-faceted history, successfully forged together by its people, who have managed, over the centuries, to build a deeply-rooted nation based on a commitment to lofty values and to a longstanding tradition of respect for the Other, and for everyone’s sensitivities.
It is this genuine, outstanding national consensus that makes the case of Morocco so unique.
This exception is not for convenience sake; nor is it about political or diplomatic posturing.
The distinctive features of the Moroccan identity stem from a deep respect for the revealed religions, including Judaism. Indeed, Moroccan Judaism - with a history of nearly three thousand years - is a key component of our identity, along with the other fundamental parts which, together, have forged a single Moroccan national identity that derives its vigour and wealth from the interaction of all these constituents.
This identity is unique because it is enriched by a close interaction between Islam and Judaism, which has always prevailed over the tribulations of the moment, enabling Moroccans to uphold their spirit of tolerance and open-mindedness.
Imbued with the values of religious tolerance and with the universal principles of genuine democracy, the Kingdom of Morocco has never allowed the bigotry and ostracism currently gripping much of the world to take hold in our country. Morocco has had the wisdom and foresight to resist the delusions of reclusiveness as well as the tragic temptation of the cultural and religious divide.
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This inherent self-preservation, in a climate of unity and concord, has always been shared and embodied by both our communities. It has shaped a lasting national sentiment which has always been echoed, throughout all continents.
In Europe, in the Americas, in the Middle East, in Africa and in Asia, everyone of us has, at least once in their lifetime, had the opportunity to feel, to hear and to share the emotion, the happiness and the pride of the many people who, generation upon generation, have been protecting, preserving and passing on their heritage, their traditions and their intense, impassioned attachment to the Moroccan motherland and to the Throne.
This is not empty rhetoric. This is the everyday life of hundreds of thousands of our countrymen who have fought back amnesia because they wanted to - because that is what they decided to do.
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This is an inspiring, beautiful story unfolding before our eyes today in London. I am pleased to note that similar, spontaneous events will be held simultaneously - or within a few weeks of one another - in New York and in Brussels, in Paris and in Geneva, to reflect the vibrant, perennial, resilient nature of our multifaceted society, and of our proud, deeply-rooted identity, which neither time nor space have altered.
This perennity and resilience are best echoed by a stunning range of cultural, social and musical events, which are staged regularly throughout Morocco, in towns steeped in history, so that our young generations can properly gauge the full scope of their history as well as the richness of their heritage.
New chapters of our history are therefore being written, reflecting the concord and harmony characterizing our society, and underscoring its openness to all civilizations.
We are showing, once again, that while it is seeking to preserve its national unity and territorial integrity, the Kingdom of Morocco has remained ever committed to the ideal of ensuring fruitful interaction with all cultures whilst respecting, at the same time, the distinctive characteristics of others. Our country remains keen to uphold the timeless values and principles of brotherhood, equality, justice, peace and solidarity. It is also deeply convinced of the need to preserve the sanctity of religions and the unity of nations, to promote human dignity and to protect human rights.
Thank you.