Morocco : A Country Of Contrast

Morocco : A Country Of Contrast

Morocco is a North African country overlooking Europe. As late King Hassan II once said, Morocco's roots are in Africa and its branches are in Europe.



The people of Morocco, from early ages until now, have been influenced the political, economic, cultural and artistic environment of a mixture of various ancient civilization, this reality has sometimes even gave birth to new forms of thinking and expression.

I wish somebody else will write about Morocco, but I will write myself about my charming, scenic, and picturesque country, one of the most stable, wonderful and beautiful countries in the world. I always call it The Magic Kingdom.

Morocco, for me, as well as for many other foreigners I have met, visitors of Morocco and readers of Morocco Today, is a real country of contrast.

I know this, and this is a reality. I lived, studied and worked in Morocco before I become a globe trotter journalist, I have seen so many countries in Europe and on the Atlantic Ocean far coasts, and I can say, my country, Morocco, is unique.

Morocco is a nation with all the features this term implies: historic legality, geographical unity, historical continuity and cultural traditions.

Official name of the country : The Kingdom of Morocco

Capital : Rabat
Surface: 710.850 square km

Population: Over 29 million inhabitants, of whom more than half are under 20 years old

Head of state: His Majesty King Mohammed VI

National days: November 18th, Independence Day

Language: Moroccan, French, Berber (Tamazight), Arabic, English and Spanish

Religion: Islam is the religion of the state. His Majesty the King is also the spiritual leader and bears the title of Amir Al Mouminine, i.e. Commander o the faithful.

Currency: the unit of currency is the dirham (DH) which is subdivided into 100 centimes.

Main towns: Casablanca, as economic capital, Rabat, the country and administrative capital, Sale Conurbation, Fez, spiritual capital, Agadir, tourism capital, Laayoune, Sahara capital, Marrakech, Meknes, Tangiers, Oujda, Taroudant,, Ouarzazate, Tan Tan and Smara.


Morocco- Spain War Will Not Take Place

On Leila Island

Is It Over?

Perejil/Leila Island
The tree that hides the forest

Editorial, By H. B. Qounin

It has been an exciting few days on this stretch of Morocco's Mediterranean coast. Inhabitants of the neighboring area scratch their heads over the trouble caused by their island while Morocco locals were really amused over the row, and the event created a real shockwaves in the media all over the world.

We read in the news that "10 Moroccan soldiers invade Spain and occupy its territory" ??? Well, this is exactly the impression one can have when he listens to the news, news that become an intense glare of the international spotlight, from Brussels to Moscow. And when we hear from Brussels that "Leila is territory of the European Union", then we can understand than these 10 Moroccan soldiers have invaded the whole Europe.

Two tents, two flags and 10 soldiers which define Morocco's hold on their islet Leila is the latest salvo in a dispute with Spain which has simmered for centuries. The whole world witnesses that Spain responded to this Moroccan legitimate act with naval ships, warships frigates, planes, helicopters and even a submarine. The media all over the world considers the two countries at a step closer to military confrontation.

It seems that the Spaniards are determined to keep their toe-hold on the African continent. If this is really the case, then we can consider the tiny uninhabited Perejil/Leila Islet incident as the tree that hides the forest, specially if we know that Leila Islet is just 150 meters from Moroccan shore, and 13 kilometers from Spain. After Moroccan independence in 1956, Madrid retained various bits of its former protectorate in the North African littoral, notably the enclaves of Ceuta, Melilla on Morocco's north coast and the Chafarinas Islands.

Perejil/Leila had been "liberated" in 1956, when the Spanish protectorate came to an end. Ceuta and Melilla are on the Moroccan territory at the heart of the North African side of the Continent and the Chafarinas Islands' status has remained ambiguous.

Perejil, which means parsley in Spanish, and known as Leila Island in the North African country "Morocco" is about 200 yards off the Moroccan mainland and has no strategic value. The islet had been home for some Moroccans who sometimes go there for fishing or camping, others take their goats for grazing on this rocky outcrop no larger than a football pitch.

Relations between the two countries have deteriorated over the past year and bilateral relations were already at a low ebb. The main bones of contention are the non-renewal of a fishing treaty allowing Spanish fishermen access to Moroccan waters, disputes over the control of trade in illegal immigrants and drugs, oil exploration in disputed areas, and the sovereignty of Ceuta and Melilla. Then, last month, Morocco has been successful to arrest members of al-Qa'eda who planned to launch an attack on British and US shipping in the Strait of Gibraltar, Spain said there was no evidence that attacks would have been launched from Spanish soil.

We all know that Morocco and Spain shouldn't be wrestling over a little bit of land like Leila, therefore, where is the truth? Well, Morocco sent its "men" to the Island to set up an observation post as part of the fight against terrorism, clandestine emigration and smuggling trade, a request repeatedly made by the neighboring Spanish government to Morocco many times. Morocco is carrying its duty not only for Spain, but for the International Community as well and as requested by international legitimacy.

Terrorism is a treat to the whole world. clandestine emigration is a treat to humanity and smuggling trade is a treat to Moroccan national economy. Morocco is doing its job. Now, ask anybody in the neighboring area of Leila, have you ever seen in your life a Spaniard on Leila, he will reply: "I have never seen a single Spaniard on Leila."

So, what is happening?

Some Moroccans and their pals used to go out there on Leila and play out or camp there for few day, just them and the goats. There has been always had a military post on the Islet. The island was always an advanced post against drug trafficking and smuggling, and now and from September 11th, an observation spot for unpredictable movements of terrorist groups who would like to operate from anywhere to attack U.S interests in the Spanish territory and the Strait of Gibraltar, Morocco wants to prevent them from starting their "concealed strategy and plans" from here.

Yes, it has been an exciting few days on this stretch of Morocco's coast. But when even Russia, with all its networks of intelligence, gets in on the act, saying it is worried about the growing tension between Spain and Morocco, you begin to feel a bit over-exposed.

To be continued in the next issue of Morocco today

Morocco's proximity to Europe has played a major role in the country's ability to not only create and encourage a more liberal media environment, but also to keep pace with the technological revolution spreading across the globe as the country enters the 21st century.

Realizing the importance of communication, the Moroccan government stressed in March 1999 the "ongoing efforts" to reform the state-owned press organizations and maintained that communication development is a national "priority" with a "new, independent media system" in emergence. The entrance 35-year-old King Mohammed VI also promises to bring progressively more liberal changes to the country.

Print media have recently seen a "deep mutation" from previous years, marked by the renewal and modernization of equipment, the hiring of young executives and the revamping of articles and design of the newspapers themselves. The sector has become a "full-fledged component of the industrial and commercial fabric" of Morocco, with continuing initiatives to increase professionalism and advertising in light of the sector's move toward privatization. The country has also seen an increase in specialized newspapers, dealing with such things as economic, computer, sport and women's issues, which have "enriched" newsstands around the country.

However, observers remain "optimistic about the steady growth of pluralistic media" in Morocco, others remain concerned about the highly partisan character of the news itself. About 1780 domestic and foreign papers, magazines and journals are now in circulation in Morocco. But while newspapers and weeklies "across the political spectrum" publish freely, with views ranging from socialist to nationalist to Islamic, about 80 percent of the papers are highly politicized with allegiance to 1 of the 14 political parties. Thus, it is sometimes nearly "impossible to find out what is really happening unless you read several newspapers".

Print Media
The nation's official press agency, Maghreb Arab Press, is a government-owned agency, inaugurated by the late King Mohammed V in 1958. In 1977, it became a state-owned corporation with autonomous legal and financial status and has since become one of the largest Arab, African and Islamic news agencies in the world. The agency now harbors 10 regional offices and 17 international offices in such cities as Madrid, Paris, London, Washington, DC, Cairo and Moscow. Its motto remains "News is sacred, comment is free." The government also owns an Arabic daily and supports two semi-official dailies, one in French-and the other in Arabic.

The government has traditionally played a major role in the media sector, providing subsidies to the rest of the press through price supports for newsprint and office space. While a 1958 decree grants the government the right to register domestic papers and journals, the government generally does not attempt to censor the media and "generally tolerates satirical and often stinging editorials" in opposition party dailies. Further, while "The Press Code" empowers the Minister of Interior to confiscate publications deemed offensive to the government and allows the Prime Minister to order the indefinite suspension of a publication, these powers are also rarely enacted.

A number of organizations stand to protect the rights of media workers throughout the country. The National Union of the Moroccan Press, for instance, was established in 1963 with the aim of "defending the profession and the code of ethics" in journalism. The group receives an annual state subsidy. Other groups include the Press Club, the Association of the Higher Institute of Journalism Graduates and the Moroccan Association of Professional Journalists, the latter of which focuses on the role of women in Moroccan media.

Electronic Media
Morocco's electronic media sector seems to be at a "turning point," adapting to fit the global "revolution" of technological developments. Radio and TV networks now cover a majority of the country, and the number of radios and TVs has increased dramatically, with 1 radio per every 3 people and 1 TV per every 6. Further, the number of satellite dishes has "mushroomed", as dish antennas have become relatively cheap and permit free access to a huge variety of foreign programs. The government does not impede access to foreign broadcasting.

Radio
The government owns the Moroccan Broadcasting Network (RTM), which broadcasts in Arabic, French, English, Spanish and three dialects, tarifit, tamazight and tachelhit. With one main station and nine regional stations, the network is able to access nearly the entire country.

Medi I is a private station run by a Moroccan company and was established in 1980 as part of a Moroccan/French partnership. The station serves as a general bilingual station of international news and entertainment and can be received in parts of Spain, France and Italy.

TV
The government owns the only television stations in the country, which can be received in most areas without the help of decoders or satellite antennas. In 1996, the country's only private station, 2M, was purchased by the government when its attempt to bring "pay service" television to the country failed. In order to save the station from bankruptcy, the government bought out a 68 percent share of 2M's stock, but says it plans to resell 2M to the private sector as the trend toward privatization increases. Moroccan TV programs are broadcast daily on EUTELSAT 2 and seen by millions around the world.

Morocco's proximity to Europe plays an important role in the Moroccan economy, as well as its continued move toward commercialization of the communications industry. Advertising has recently "conquered the national media space", and the Autonomous Advertisement Service (SAP) was established to make sure that TV ads remain in line with the basic goals of the national economy.

Internet
Morocco boasts one of the largest telecom sectors in Africa. While most of its operation is currently supervised by the state-owned National Post and Telecommunications Board, an increased tendency toward privatization and openness have seen new companies emerge to challenge its monopoly.

According to residents, the government does not restrict or censor Internet access. Accounts can be easily obtained from dozens of private service providers, and citizens can access the unfiltered World Wide Web from home, the office or cyber-cafes around the country.

Despite these freedoms, however, the Internet has grown slowly because of high costs and the lack of a focused national policy to promote its development. In early 1998, for instance, access costs ranged from US$ 40-50/month, which allowed for only 15 hours of service and cost an additional connection fee of US$ 2/hour. By 1999, the price had dropped considerably to US$ 20/month for unlimited access, but the connection fee remained US$ 2/hour.

Future of Moroccan Media
Morocco's "geo-strategic" position is probably one of its best assets in facing the 21st century, as its close association with Europe continues to provide a critical link in Moroccan trade and business, as well as a model of independent communication systems within the country. A multiparty system and a tradition of tolerance have also helped to create a more liberal atmosphere for the country's emerging press corps, which will most likely see continued development and progress through the next decade. The new king's affinity for new technologies and emerging entrepreneurs will also add to Moroccan development.

Strategically located at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea, Morocco has for several centuries served as one of the main trading points between Europe and Africa. Since the mid-1980s, the government has implemented a successful reform program characterized by the substitution of external debt for internal debt; this measure has effectively reduced the public debt exposure to fluctuations in the international financial markets.

Ambitious longer term development initiatives include a program to invest US$7 billion in tourism assets over the next 10 years in order to attract 10 million tourists annually and bring the sector's percentage of GDP to 20 percent versus 7.7 percent currently.

Morocco is also endeavoring to electrify 1,500 villages per year over the next decade. Morocco's domestic energy reserves are negligible, but its promising hydrocarbon potential has begun to materialize with a major oil discovery at Talsint a year ago. Current exploration activity involving a number of multinational firms is brisk, particularly offshore.

Renovation of the Rabat airport and modernization of the highway system has begun. Output from the electronics sector has doubled over the last five years due to incentives to attract foreign investment.

In 1993, the government began opening up to private sector participation the country's key infrastructure sectors: telecommunications, transportation, utilities and energy generation and distribution.

The process of privatization has also reached the financial sector. While only a portion of the banks has been privatized, the government has made great strides in the abolition of direct credit control and liberalization of interest rates. Still, further privatization efforts are needed to reduce the large percentage of the economy controlled by public enterprises, representing 13 percent of GDP as of 1997.

Closer integration with the European Union (EU), through the Association Agreement, provides an important opportunity for regaining economic momentum, but also raises challenges in terms of increasing external competitiveness and modernizing social and economic institutions.