Hoggar Posted 2008-03-24

In my humble opinion, I have always thought that an open and direct dialogue between Algeria and Morocco necessary, now more than ever. As a French Algerian, I have had the privilege of moving freely between Algeria and Morocco. I have mostly met with economic actors in the two countries. And, it is true that the bosses of Moroccan businesses are very demanding—perhaps even more demanding than their Algerian counterparts—when it comes to the relations between the two countries being fluid and allowing a real business climate. I have also always thought that the solution to the problem with the Sahara would first come through a direct dialogue between Morocco and Algeria. I do not believe in these American conference rounds; they only delay the risk of this conflict’s explosion for both parties involved. Alas, military confrontation is not such an impossibility. The truth is that it seems rather stupid to me that the people who are supposed to be the diplomats and intellectuals travel thousands of kilometres for a discussion lasting a few hours when only a few dozen kilometres separate them. So, indeed, it is easy to say that Algeria is at fault for this deadlock, but it seems to me - if you believe the press — that Algeria is making several demands in addition to the current one in order to resolve things with its neighbour. I am not a specialist in international relations—rather I am used to negotiating commercial contracts—but I would say that the final solution between Algeria and Morocco must necessarily come with both sides making concessions, of which Western Sahara will be one. And, I will end here by saying that this may include an opportunity for the Sahrawis—but perhaps not all of the Sahara’s—independence. As the lawyers say, “A bad trial is better than no trial at all”.

miki mouse Posted 2008-03-24

We will not be opening the borders, thank you very much. We are good where we are. We do not need anything here. Thank you

Bouloulou Posted 2008-03-24

The Algerian Fennec Fox and Rabat’s Zoo. Construction on Rabat’s new zoological park will begin in July and finish in 2010. This Zoo will be built on 50 hectares, behind the Moulay-Abdallah football complex in Rabat. The total cost of its construction is estimated at 800 million dirhams. So far, everything seems normal. But, the catch to this story is that one of the zealots in charge, who is working in a company created especially for this project, is already opposed to an Algerian fennec fox being housed in this future zoo. This is a shame for the average Moroccan citizen who would certainly like to be able to appreciate this little Saharan fox.

bl.l'algérien Posted 2008-03-24

Hello, With all the commentaries scrolling along all these pages, I would like to say stop stupidly insulting and reproaching one another. I will also add that if we want to have a Grand Maghreb, hand in hand, we need to ask the King for this; he is the one who has the power to do this. And, enough already with all these insults on all sides. I am tired of this. Thank you

Jamal Morelli Posted 2008-03-24

My heart just missed three beats in a row. If this is realized in the next few years... I will throw the largest sadaqa in Narjis, nsha'allah. Some of the most promising news, that.

sofia Posted 2008-03-25

I have no emotions for you, if you have been torn from your families since 1994. As far as I know, it is not Algeria’s fault, okay! There is another country. You did the same thing with a 2800-kilometre long wall to another country: the Sahrawis. Now, the Moroccan leaders are insisting on opening the borders. Where were you during the 15 years of agony and death for our souls??? Where were you to help us???… emotionally, at the very least??? No, you buried us! You had us sink! You waited impatiently for our ruin, for Algeria’s complete explosion. Algeria is still here and kicking. You did us a lot of wrong because of the Sahara. There is no need for revenge of this sort.

nadia Posted 2008-03-25

May God guide us and guide you, may God grant us health and wellness.

algérino Posted 2008-03-25

Before getting started, the word “réouvrir” does not exist in French; it is, rather, “rouvrir”. Moreover, the reopening of the borders is more beneficial to the Moroccans than to the Algerians. Morocco hops to swallow up the one million Algerian tourists who go to Tunisia every year. Furthermore, the Medgaz project, which connects Algeria to Spain, directly threatens Morocco’s profits both in terms of natural gas and in terms of rights of passage. So, do not come over here and start chatting us up with your “Unity of the Maghreb”. You're just playing the fiddle. Personally, I am Algerian and I am against the reopening of our borders with Morocco. We won't gain anything from it.

Hoggar Posted 2008-03-25

You didn't like my comment from yesterday? Why did you censor my post? Your concept of freedom of expression is amusing! I am outraged.

Amar Posted 2008-03-25

In my opinion, the solution to this kind of problem should not be conceived within a restrictive framework that concerns only Algeria and Morocco; the other Maghreb countries—Mauritania, Tunisia and Libya—and the immediate neighbours—Mali, Niger, Senegal , Chad, Egypt, Portugal, Spain, France and Malta—need to get involved even more in order to find a definitive and lasting solution. We propose that there be a summit that would bring together all the heads of state of the aforementioned countries. This would be preceded by two meetings. The first meeting would be a gathering of political leaders—ministers, ambassadors and so on, experts—political scientists, economists, and international relations and law sprecialists, representatives of civil society, economic and social actors and people of culture. The second meeting would, in turn, bring together the Foreign Affairs ministers of all the aforesaid countries in order to develop a solid platform that could be presented in the form of a convention to the heads of state during their summit, with the five concerned heads of state then making the approval. As for the problem with the Western Sahara, why not split the territory into three more-or-less equal parts. The northern region would go to Morocco, allowing the all Sahrawis who want to opt for this nationality to take up residence there. The central region would go to Algeria, comprising all the refuges and Sahrawis who so desire this. And, the southern region would become a totally independent Sahrawi republic, bringing together all the Sahrawis who desire to be free. In following, this new republic would be de facto completely accepted as a member into the United Arab Maghreb. All the troops stationed along the borders between the countries would then need to be moved to the exterior borders. Our openness and action would be all that remain.

rachid Posted 2008-03-26

So, I’d say that it is good to renew these two countries’ relations. This would avoid a conflict between the Algerian and Moroccan populations. I noted on YouTube that Algerians were horribly insulting the Moroccans. I did not appreciate this. But, God willing, there should be grounds for agreement.

Anonymous Posted 2008-03-26

We are all for the reopening of the borders and the free movement of all citizens along with their brothers from Morocco’s democratic republic.

Tassili Posted 2008-03-26

I am not for open land borders at this time. On the other hand, it seems both urgent and necessary to me that the families living on the borders of both sides should have a special exemption for crossing the border. It is beyond absurd that these people should be hostage to Algeria’s and Morocco’s political disputes. In any case, the smugglers continue their swindling and using the illegal routes, so why not just allow these families freedom to move between the two sides? I would also like to say — and this is especially for the Algerians on the borders — that it is very detrimental to your country to sell food that Algeria imported at great expense on Algerian fuel. I also think it is very urgent for the Algerian state to initiate projects, especially tourist projects, in the border regions in order to create more jobs and to protect the border youth, who have a trafficking and swindling cult. Port Larbi Ben Mhedi is in need of heavy investment that Algeria should take care to bring it to them in order increase the value of these beautiful beaches rather than just concentrating on Algiers as if Algeria were limited to Algiers. In the end, I would like to say to those that thing that the opening of the borders would benefit Morocco, I am not so sure about this. The shadow economy that dominates Algeria’s market could break the Moroccan market and Morocco’s manpower, specifically in the agricultural sector, could help Algeria’s agriculture prosper. Algeria lost it agriculture the day it expelled the Moroccans, and for this reality Algeria has paid dearly with a lack of performance in the agricultural sector. There is a problem with the working culture in Algeria, and it is more serious than unemployment. That is why we need new policies.

Momo de nice Posted 2008-03-26

God willing, I hope the border will never open. Because you hurt the Algerians. What a shame. They do not deserve that.

marwan Posted 2008-03-26

All I want to say is that the Moroccan-Algerian border has been closed since 1994 and it has not done either country any good. On the contrary, it has complicated things. If the border is opened, it doesn't mean there will be no solution to the Saharan conflict. Even it is open, the negotiations will take place.

Anonymous Posted 2008-03-26

I am a Sahraoui man and don’t want to be governed by a group which has no personal decisions and waits for the counsel and opinions of others, Algeria, long live Morocco and the Sahara is Moroccan. We don’t want self-determination, autonomy is the best way.

abou bakeur Posted 2008-03-26

Salaam alaikum, To open or not to open the borders, that is the question. Last summer, I went to Morocco to learn about our dear neighbours’ point of view. I was way off from ever being able to imagine the stories they would come to tell me about Algeria. They were science fiction. And, when I asked, “Have you ever visited Algeria?”, the response was, “No.” So, I asked another question: “If you have never seen Algeria, how can you say such horrible things?” The response was “The press!” In my opinion, the true border—if it truly exists—is the border of the mind. At the end of my trip, I asked myself too many questions. Salaam alaikum

Momo de nice Posted 2008-03-26

Where is my message? I would like to say that with regards to the border, this is pointless. I know what I am saying. People only think about money and their interests. Before talking about the border, fix the problem with the Polisario. If we open it, who will watch over it? Afterwards, if there is a problem like there was in past years, who is going to help Algeria? Everyone closes their eyes and crosses their arms and watches us suffer. I think that the Algerian state has some experience now. Thank you for your understanding.

lamine Posted 2008-03-26

Hi, I am from the Democratic Republic of Tizi Ouzou. First of all, I fully support the Sahrawi’s demands. But, I also fully support the demands of our Amazigh brothers in the Atlas and the Rif, the Chaouis and those from Souss. Freedom for the Amazighs!

Maghrebien libre Posted 2008-03-26

Salam, I hope Algeria won't be so stupid enough as to open its borders to the Moroccan kingdom, because the reasons and the causes for its closure remain the same. The King’s Jewish advisers are waiting just for this in order to pull the rug over their neighbour and legitimize Israel with regards to the Palestinian case. Algeria needs first of all to solve the Sahara problem and remain true to its values, it noble position in liberating the Muslim Sahrawi people. It needs to solve the problem of the trafficking of goods subsidised by Algeria, as it is sabotaging Algeria’s economy. Morocco’s DST should apologise for its support of terrorism in the 1990s. And, it should also work harder to reunite forces with its neighbour, Morocco.

sofia Posted 2008-03-27

The best thing, to the benefit of everyone would be for it to be closed and to stay that way for a long time!!! Everything coming over the border is harmful to Algeria, its children and its economy. Do this just to please one handful of people!? No!!! The border will remain closed. Build a wall like that on the Mexican border, that would be even better. The construction will begin in July. With God’s grace, this would mean a complete stop to the flow of drugs, which is destroying our children and our youth and ruining our economy.

gol Posted 2008-03-27

I do not agree with you, Mr. Bouloubou, because the head of the zoo has the right to choose the animals he wants. A zoo does not mean the same thing as a jungle or a place where animals get piled up this way and that. Furthermore, the head of the zoo is free to make decisions just like you, Mr. Bouloubou, are free to go the great zoo known as Algeria and admire the fennec foxes amongst everything else over there.

maghrebin.convaincu Posted 2008-03-27

Why complicate the lives of people? We Arabs are always beating around bush. It should be enough to just clean up and de-weed our border. You will never get out of this mess with your calculations. They have never made you progress. Ciao

Fathi Posted 2008-03-27

I am an Algerian and a resident of Oujda. We cannot visit our parents. We are imprisoned by our government. Why are we deprived of this? How much longer do we have to live like this? You are going to tell me that there are flights to Casablanca, but, even if the governments are authorising the Algerians in Morocco and the Moroccans in Algeria to simply do this, I have a big family who cannot afford to. Let us have some prayer and generosity!!! Thank you

HOUARI Posted 2008-03-28

All those who are against the opening of the border are the same people who have a border in their minds. And, it is them who will turn up first at this border. So, relax and free yourselves from this medieval mentality. Be cool, because we are waiting impatiently for this in Oran and we are not hypocrites. -Regards

KACIMOU Posted 2008-03-28

The Polisario is afraid of the reopening of the borders because they fear the rapprochement of the two peoples. The two peoples will come to know the truth.

desabusé.coùm Posted 2008-03-28

Arabs represent all criteria for under-development. The people are jostling for high-technology while our imbeciles squabble over... This is both lamentable and petty at the same time. Step out of your shells a bit...

RACHID.FR 75 Posted 2008-03-28

I am addressing myself to Hicham; We paid heavily for the Moroccans' expulsion in 1975. You are completely right: even though we were just children, they threw us over the border as if we were crooks. They had us leave all of our goods, our shops and our homes—an entire life of work—behind us. We lived in misery in tents in the cold of winter. I am addressing myself to Farid and the others who remember 1994 and the visas too. These were only tourists and they were given time to leave Morocco’s territory. And, this was furthermore an error committed on the part of Morocco’s former Minister of the Interior. Thanks be to God: I am currently the owner of a large boat in France and I employ Algerians. But, I keep my bitterness against certain Algerians—those who were satisfied in seeing us leave. But, there were others who cried for us in 1975. Try to imagine all the Algerians in France being expelled after the bombing in the Paris metro or the Moroccans being expelled after Madrid. Are they more intelligent and mature than us? When are we going to take account of our stupidity and arrogance? Thank you Magharebia for publishing this text, please.

Algéronocéros Posted 2008-03-28

We also need to wonder about these sudden initiatives taken by the Moroccans—that is to say: discussion with Algeria about the reopening of the borders. In my opinion, the reasons are the following: First, the American talks are achieving nothing. Second, Morocco was expecting America and Europe to put pressure on Algeria with regards to the subject of the Sahara and now Morocco has come to realise that neither the USA nor Europe has the means to weaken Algeria’s stance. (America is just as dependent on Algeria’s gas as Europe.) Third, Morocco’s financial situation is very alarming according to the World bank and the IMF’s reports. Both its foreign and domestic debt is very high. Respectively, these represent 34 per cent (foreign debt) and 67 per cent (domestic debt) of its GNP. This is enormous. Morocco is financially choking away bit by bit and has realised that it cannot compete with Algeria. Morocco’s weapons orders have not found funding. Oujda has announced a lost earnings totalling about $1 billion per year. Fourth, the scenario under which there would be a war between the Sahrawi and the Moroccans is rather unimaginable and only very slightly probable as it would put Morocco into a state of bankruptcy. Fifth, everyone is being affected by a financial crisis, by the fall of the dollar, by the rise of basic commodities and oil such that the expenses of a developing country can only go up and the big powers can no longer keep up their generosity as they did in the past. Thus, it is time that everyone deals with their own economy, as is slightly visible in France and Germany’s market wars. Sixth, in the end, it seem to me that Morocco is beginning to understand and realise that in this war for the status-quo over the Sahara and and in committing usury, and...

slim Posted 2008-03-28

Morocco’s policy towards Algeria is essentially based on hijacking reality to sway public opinion. Morocco must not lose face in spite all of its faults. However, it is not dishonest to say, “I was mistaken, let us start over on a good note.” This is something Morocco is not capable of handling. Yet, to err is human, and Algeria has always known how to forgive. But, when Morocco is in a deadlock concerning the Western Sahara, it accuses Algeria of hijacking public opinion. When Morocco deals with Algeria as if it were terrorist and bombed its land and it never excuses itself for making a mistake, it takes 14 years to reopen the border. When the people are hungry and the economy is collapsing, it is Algeria’s fault for closing the border. This is a bit too big of a knee-slapper!!! We Algerians are proud, even proud of being proud! We do not want your excuses!!! But that is what we get!!! Bye from Algiers.

fares Posted 2008-03-28

Hello, Most Algerians would prefer the border to stay closed. You all know that Morocco produces cannabis, houses terrorists, exports prostitution and kills the poor Sahrawis. Stop insulting Algeria and the Algerians.

reda Posted 2008-03-29

I cannot understand the hatred that some Algerians have towards the Moroccan monarchy. Some of them were brought up to hate others!!!

mourad Posted 2008-03-29

Hoggar, you make me laugh with all the stupid things you tell us. To begin with, Algerians were slaves in France just like they were in Algeria. Moroccans who migrated (specifically to Nantes) at the beginning of the century did not work because of Algerians, but thanks to their know-how and elbow grease. On the other hand, thanks to the Moroccans, you did not totally lose your Arab and Muslim culture. As for the Moroccans who came en masse at the end of the 1970s, they did not even have a mosque or an organisation dedicated to Arab culture. They had nothing! Zilch!!! Moreover, it is not the Algerians who are going to be giving lessons on how to work!!! I would like to further add that thanks to Moroccans you regained your independence. Your leaders were born, protected and supported in Morocco. And, you can never say anything against this.

hogar Posted 2008-03-29

To Mourad: To finish my response, you pretend that Algeria regained its independence thanks to Moroccans. This is false, and I will demonstrate why. First of all, Morocco certainly housed the militants for Algeria’s independence, but it never directly participated in the liberation of Algeria. And this is not to mention the affair with the FLN. In October 1956, Ait Ahmed was arrested by the French authorities, accompanied by Mohamed Boudiaf, Mohamed Khider, Ahmed Ben Bella and Mostefa Lacheraf in an plane headed from Morocco to Tunis, where a conference for peace in the Maghreb was to be held. On the contrary, Tunisia was more useful, especially Sakiet Sidi Youcef, which the French army bombarded. This Tunisian city was razed for being home to the Algerian maquis. I do not know the slightest square metre in Morocco that was bombed because of Algeria. Second of all, I advise you to read the story of the Emir Abdelkader, the founder of the Algerian state. You will see, my poor friend, by reading—for example—the reports made by Philippe de Brissac Cossé in 1830 – 1847 publish by Larose in Paris in 1931 what role of the sultan of Morocco played at that time. No, my friend, you are disillusioned. You never helped Algeria with anything, except, perhaps, with your jealousy. (For example, your king felt offended by Sarkozy when he began his visit to the Maghreb with Algeria. This was normal, given our historical relations and, more especially, our economic front, wherein Algeria comes in second after South Africa) Here is a small piece of advice: try to get yourself inspired using the teachings of fairy tales, especially the one about the frog who wanted to become as big as an bull. I will let you guess what happened next!!!

MUSTAFA Posted 2008-03-29

Personally, from where I stand, I am against the opening of the border. Our brother Moroccans bring us only drugs and steal away our oil and wealth! And, it was they who started this closing of the borders when Algeria needed their co-operation and help as it fought in vain against terrorism.

bakliche Posted 2008-03-30

Speaking with neutrality, the Moroccans are jealous of the Algerians, okay!

slim Posted 2008-03-30

To Reda: If you are used to making platitudes, then that's your business! I don't like it! It affects me too! That is democracy! Everyone is free to hold their own opinions!!! To Bouthaina: If my country of Algeria is a paradise of chira from Afghanistan, then I regret to tell you that yours, Morocco, is a hell of cannabis, which the Moroccan State - as you said - sells legally without trafficking it. Bravo!!! You must be proud that your rulers are selling death to the entire world’s young people in complete legality!!! Permit me to very simply tell you this: Change your mentality! You have set off wrongly on this story about drugs!!! This subject is over your head... After oil, there is gas, solar, nuclear and a whole lot of other riches in our basement, which is rich, rich, rich, rich, rich, rich and rich! Bye from Algiers!

Noures Posted 2008-03-30

Frankly, you are disappointing us. Having such thoughts does nothing but increase the envy of our traditional enemies, whom you believe, in all your naiveté, to be your friends. That is atrociously severe to blame each other and accusing each other back and forth, whilst omitting the root of the cause for this conflict, which goes far back into our spacial and temporal history. Reread the history--your history, or, rather, our common history—in complete objectivity and without obsessing. Don’t be terrified. This is an invitation, not a summons, to those who believe they have a grain of wisdom and intelligence. I hope my opinion will not be censored.

yacine Posted 2008-03-31

To Bouthaina: I just learned that the Moroccan state legalized the sale of cannabis. I wonder if it will do the same thing with everything that comes with this, that is: trafficking, prostitution and delinquency!?

KAMEL Posted 2008-03-31

You told us about an organisation in Algeria and Morocco concerning the Western Sahara on this website. We are waiting for your address. When are you going to announce it to us on this website? There are many of us who want to join. We hope that Magharebia is not going to censor this. Algeria for the Algerians OK

CHAFIK Posted 2008-03-31

You should not expect too much from Yassine, being that he either surely belongs to the Polisario and is suffering from a brainwashing or is a mentally rigid and withdrawn Algerian. Fortunately, not all Algerians are the same.

SIHAM Posted 2008-03-31

Frankly, I was moved by Rachid’s stories about 1975. I just want you to know that all Algerians are not the same, and, just like everywhere else, there are both good and bad. But, unfortunately, the latter are still in power and will never leave. The Algerian people are suffering the consequences of this. I am in good health and I can see things for what they are. Good luck! Please, do not be bitter, do not have the same air the Algerians do with others.

La solution Posted 2008-03-31

I was saying that the Moroccan monarchy has always been wary of the Algerian revolution, fearing it would contaminate their own subjects. Thus there was Morocco’s attack on independent Algeria in order to keep its people against Algeria and reject potential seduction by their neighbour. (The late Mohamed V was no longer around to avoid such shamefulness in Morocco’s history.) So, politically and strategically Morocco has chosen a different destiny than Algeria planned for itself. How else can we explain this flirting with France, the former colonizer, who was driven through the front door and came back in through the back? How else explain this flirting with the Americans and the Israelis? (I am not saying that we should not side up with them, but that we should resist their anti-Arab and anti-Muslim plans.) How else explain Morocco’s contempt for Africa? We need to harmonise our outlooks on and our strategies for the future. Algeria is still for the independence of the Maghreb. And, if Morocco is Algeria’s main partner in the construction of the Maghreb, then how do we convince a partner of our will if it is already engaged to the West. In the hopes that the effort is worth the outcome, all these questions should be professionally debated in an atmosphere of mutual respect. But we are not ready for this, as, alas, everyone thinks they are well within their rights and is waiting for the other to make concessions. Ibn Khaldoun’s adage, “The Arabs have agreed not to agree,” is unfortunately still the rule. Alas, my dear Moroccan and Algerian friends on this forum, you still need to learn how to discuss. With your meddlesome screens, you insult each other, you point out each other’s defects while talking about your own strengths. But, this does nothing to change the basic problem—the will to progress and make mutual concessions.

omar Posted 2008-04-01

Hello Muslims of the Maghreb, Please, I implore you, stop throwing fuel on the fire. Let us stop this bickering. No one has ever made any progress in this way, and yet you do it so much amongst yourselves. Let us move on to other things. We, the inhabitants of France and the Maghreb of Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian origin, need to be able to unite against certain countries, which are doing every underhanded thing they can to create discord among us. Above all else, we are Muslims. This border has not always existed. And, everything will go perfectly with dialogues between all the parties involved in making us what we are now: more than 1.3 billion Muslims. In your opinion, why have we stopped at Poitiers? Everyone wants their piece of cake. But, once we got to that point, we were humiliated by the European monarchies. So, unite yourselves, everybody, like we were before!

REZKI Posted 2008-04-01

Yassine and Slim are truly ignorant. They know nothing of Moroccan customs. The King of Morocco is at least someone cultured and sincere, who loves his people. You and the likes of you, who have the same mentality as you both — because I do know Algerians who are respectful and respectable — are governed by a handful of unworthy generals. Cannabis is cultivated in Algeria. Your crime rate is higher than Morocco’s, not to mention corruption and prostitution. So, stop running your mouth and take a look around yourselves before criticising others.

hakim bouzar Posted 2008-04-02

Magharebia, this newspaper of the mauros will definitely censor my messages. All the same, I tell you that with regards to the opening of the borders, I say “NO”. You have fooled not just your agents, whom you try to pass off as Algerians, but the whole world. But, the answer is still “NO”, “NEIN”, “NIET”, “NON”, “WALLOU”! Moreover, we do not like cowards, and you have no dignity.

CONSCIENCE Posted 2008-04-03

It is encouraging to see spirits begin to calm. You need to stop humiliating one another and be rational. Forget the old quarrels. You are of the same Amazigh, Arab and Islamic origins. Do not let yourselves be divided so that they may rule over you better. This affair with the border is just a time bomb left by the old colonisers. Wake up! Do not let the hateful feelings you inherited take over. We belong together. We need to act as a free people as our rulers do not give a [expletive deleted] about us; what is important to them is that the benefit from their power and our riches. There is strength in the union of our peoples!!!

Pacifiste _"'(oujdi) Posted 2008-04-04

Disastrous, incomprehensible, terrible, unfortunate... In fact, there are no words to define the absurd, unfounded comments of certain, so-called “pro-Algerian” or “pro-Moroccan” people. I sincerely think that there are several of you who are poking your own eyes, such that your finger has gone in so deep it has reached your brain and ends up making a hole through to the other side!!! This is all so crazy!!! Nationalism is dangerous: it makes people go blind! And, beyond that, it turns them racist and thus pitiful and ignorant! Listening to your nonsense, one gets the impression that some of you have stock options or some sort of dividends of the “King of Oil” type. Leave this to the lucky swindlers, who were at the right place at the right time. The Algerian hydrocarbon cash is certainly not landing in the pockets of the people. Stop with these phony comments. You have no decision-making power. You allow yourselves to be offensive and to act that way with entire nations of people. You are severely lacking in self-reflection. And, it is good to say this; there are some of us who are getting tired of this. I assure you that you have never managed to understand that all of this is superficial. This confrontation arose between two brother peoples. It was built up completely by— for example— the publicity with the Sahara, so as to bother the entire damn world! This is all well known. If you please, take, for example, something that works really well right now and is quite the fashion: the fear of “others” or “foreigners” created by the CIA and Mossad— which are indeed but one entity— on 11/09/2001. Stop your squabbling! Nothing can put you at ease! Be happy! Take a deep breath and everything will get back in order. You will see. I am sure of this. Go now. You will get some sleep and have a good dream, no??? And, may I never have to bring this up with you again.

Kahina Posted 2008-04-08

Eh you subtle Moroccan Amazigh, why this stubbornness and narrow-mindedness??? Do you want to bring back a political situation which was over centuries ago??? If Amazigh people want to stay alone without the presence of Arabs with them, let them do that!!! So remain in mountains, in rural areas with your trees and olives!!! Isn't that how you were before Arabs came??? Long live Algeria, Islamic, Arab and Amazigh. Long live the Arab, Amazigh, Islamic Maghreb.

SADANI Posted 2008-04-10

If only I had the authority to wage war against Morocco... no, not war, but direct occupation, so that Morocco could taste the pain of colonization. (The people of Morocco are excluded from this war) just politicians.

clair de lune Posted 2008-04-10

It is not the Algerians who are refusing but the Algerian regime. There is a big difference between the true Algerian people and this bloodthirsty, deceitful, dictatorial, perverse, monstrous regime, which is thirsty for billions of dollars and which has killed hundreds of thousands of innocent Algerians. It is just like Cuba: Castro locked down the Cubans as if they were sheep and told them: “Do not leave my prison, because it was no good before. There were mean capitalists.” The logic driving this regime is a simple one, just as it was for him: it is a fear that the people are going to compare their achievements with those of Morocco. Even with all of its oil money, this country has never done anything. It is a fear of the mass exodus of Algerians who want to quietly come to Morocco and, with no problems in doing business, invest, build and simply live! In Algeria, there is a state of emergency across the board, and the false obstacles are multiplying. And, it is the dictatorial regime's need for an enemy. That is how things work. They chose Morocco. If this were a democratic country, they would not close their border. No democratic country closes its border to its own people. And that is what this is—it is the closing of the land border to Algerians. We all know—as does the Algerian regime—that no four million Moroccan are going to cross the border. And this is not because of contraband; even with the border closed, trafficking of all types continues with the blessing of the traffickers and the Algerian soldiers—not the other way around. I will leave aside the [expletive deleted] about the “sinister” West with regards to the economy. At this time, no one—especially not the worthless journalists—has explained to me what economic advantages the West is getting from this influx of people.

Anonymous Posted 2008-04-12

You are all talk, detached from reality! 60% of Moroccans are living under the poverty line. Minimum wage may be 1,400 dirhams (between 140 and 150 euros), but that hardly has any real significance: the labour code is not respected. Many employees do not even have work permits, let alone social security cards. When the state does step in, it is in the service of the employers. Evidently, a lot of capital is being moved around in order to capitalise on the juicy returns on inexpensive labour, that is only licensed when one so wants. Far beyond this, the unions are very divided— that is, when they are not already in the hands of the bureaucracy connected to the employers. This makes the workers’ fight for their rights more and more difficult. It is even worse for the farmers, who have to meet on December 10th with the Human Rights Association. Today, in Morocco, we are fighting not for a comfortable life, but a dignified life. Everything costs: schools, health care, transportation. It is disastrous. Life itself is difficult.

MOUNIR Posted 2008-04-18

It would be better if the ignoramuses and racists would shut up!!!

Honesty Posted 2008-04-19

Hi Everybody, We must understand that with regards to the issue of open borders, we have to be prudent. None of our countries will win out from this, because there are still too many terrorists from al-Qaeda or whatever other group of |expletive deleted|. First of all, we need democracy—freedom for the people and the right for groups to be politically autonomous as with the Sahara and Kabylie. These |expletive deleted| in the government despise their people. It is like |expletive deleted| Rwanda. One day Bouteflika is going to tell the Algerians to go face off against the Moroccans because over there there are drugs, prostitutes, Jews and too many foreigners. Uh ohhh! We need to calm down here!!! We are not in Saudi Arabia here!!! I think that the problem is about us talking with one another, not with messing around with our country’s rulers. Stop being idiots and understand that your governments are manipulating you like puppets, pitting you against an imaginary enemy. Go outside and claim your rights from these |expletive deleted|, from your |expletive deleted| presidents or kings. Then, you will understand that you are living in a country of dictators!!! It is not in being a |expletive deleted|, speaking vulgarly, that you will make men and women of yourselves. Neither does being Muslim make you superior to Christians, Jews or atheists. Move forward a bit, |expletive deleted|!!! A real nationalist would go back to his country and fight to change things!!! The only people doing this in the Maghreb are the Kabyles!!! And, don’t you forget it!!! And, they are not doing it for themselves, but for everybody in Algeria and the Maghreb. Without their courage, Algeria would not have defeated France. And, there is no one ho is more tolerant than them. Whether you are Kabyle or not, Muslim or Christian or whatever you want, they are still respectful!!! So, follow their path of pride in their origins, of democracy and of integration into the current world.

رشيد Posted 2008-04-23

How come you want to open borders with a country which is daily killing us with poisons (alcohol, opium). We will only reap death from you and you will take all the necessary good from us. We want to deal with an Islamic country which forbids everything that hurts. We are, praise be to God, well and we lack nothing.

ismael Posted 2008-04-30

I think that the Moroccan initiative has as its aim the facilitation of future negotiations over the Sahara. Certainly, Morocco does not need Algerian tourists. Nor does Algeria need Morocco’s. They lack a single currency such as the dollar or euro. But, I repeat, that the latter remains a basic step to normalisation for both. As for drugs, let me tell you that they have nothing to do with the border: hashish goes to Europe and no border stations with Algeria are going to stop that. In the end, it is true that Morocco needs to apologise to Algeria for 1994. But, let us not forget that Algeria has done just as much in the past without ever apologising for it. In short, Morocco’s initiative may seem to be weak, but without receiving a favourable response from Algeria, it will without a doubt put Algeria in the wrong for being stubborn, and this is not good news for Algeria. Moroccans and Algerians living far from the border are able to say that they do not want this, but our brothers on both sides of the border have a real need for the opening of the border. So, save your idiocy and nationalism for somewhere else.

slim16 Posted 2008-05-02

To “Clair de Lune”: Whatever! Your arguments are always so unrealistic!!! I will point out to you that the land border is closed, mostly due to weapons contraband, which is the most dangerous thing of all. It is true that in Algeria there are concocted police control points. Oh, they are very dangerous, just like terrorism. May God defeat them! I would never wish this upon you! Things are already starting to heat up over there as it is! They have even escaped from your prisons: a real prison break!!! Since you seem to stand up well against your Algerian enemies, I advise you to search Google for “sniper marocain”. You can tell me about what you find. Personally, I really like these videos. They show what is really going on in Morocco: concocted police control points that tax every passing vehicle. They are not terrorists, but, worse, they are policemen. May they seek refuge from God. Personally, in your place, I would prefer to be more cool and not blow my mouth off. You speak about economy!? Why do you think that yours is any good? Your savage liberalism has caused a lot of deaths in Casablanca. 56 died in the bizarre happenings of a mattress factory, where the workers were locked in from the outside so that they were well cooked!!! That is worse than one of Castro’s prisons. And, 36 hours later, again in Casablanca, three more were burnt in a carpet shop. Can you guess why? It is the same story as the prison: the guards were locked in from the outside so that they were well cooked inside. So, you offer us no lessons when it comes to speaking about democracy. The corrupt little business owners, who are both murderers of the little guys, established your dictatorship, and the dictatorship is made up of corrupt policemen who loot the people. Dictatorship is the prerogative of the people.

hassan Posted 2008-05-10

hello all brothers algerian and morocan. it's a shame to read such articles. iam algerian and i will tell to all morocan people that algerian people has no problem whith you. let's say to our politicain go to hell and let us live .i hope the borders will be open. vive algeria and morrocco

بلقاسم Posted 2008-05-15

You should have discussed and debated the problems of the free Amazigh Touareg people occupied by Algeria instead of talking about the fabricated Boumediene Bouteflika Polisario. Why this hypocrisy? God does not like hypocrites. Everyone knows that the Touareg people are an occupied and marginalized people. They have the full right to self-determination and to institute their state on their territory. Therefore, we ask all the people with consciences to stand by this neglected and marginalized nation rich with oil, natural gas and other mines that are exploited by the unjust and malevolent generals.

بلقندوسي Posted 2008-05-17

Firstly Algeria was never independent and sovereign. It was a state dependent on the Abbasid dynasty, then the Ottoman. Then it became dependent on France. The honourable Moroccan kingdom exerted all its efforts to drive away the coloniser and help our Algerian brothers. And the price of that was very expensive and drove the French army to colonise wide swaths of Moroccan territory: Laknadsa, Touate,Tindouf, Saoura, Tedikelt and Bechar. Regarding the Sand War, who is responsible? Because there was an agreement between the government of Morocco and the government of Algeria that the Moroccan territories invaded by France would be restored to Morocco after Algeria's independence. But after independence, its rulers rejected the agreement. Morocco felt disappointed and insulted, so what happened had happened. But Mohamed V made a mistake when he refused France's offer to restore Moroccan territories to Morocco before the France's withdrawal from Algeria. He didn’t accept that and thought that his Algerian brothers wouldn't swindle him. But this is what happened, unfortunately. The Moroccan people will ever again relinquish their land today or tomorrow.

felfla haaara Posted 2008-05-18

To Gold: The Algeria you are treating like a zoo also has the right—just like the employees in your zoo—to chose if it wants to open its border or not. The Algerians and Algeria have never polished any nation’s boots. Nor have they begged for or implored anything from anyone, not even for the opening of a border, which, God willing, will remain closed until the independence of the WESTERN Sahara! Thank you, Magharebia. (I hope this comment will be published.)

BAROUDI Posted 2008-05-21

Fefla Haaara; We have our families on the other side of the border. What is happening between us? We are brothers and cousins and we don’t care what about each other. It is to your liking that there is a war between the two countries because you have nothing to lose. So, you and your protectors, the generals, can get out of this country.

gol Posted 2008-05-23

I wonder if we are talking about the same country, Algeria, when we talk about opening the border, because there is not future for Algeria and the well-deserved charity starts with yourself. May the Algerians keep the border shut. If a Moroccan is looking for a better future, it is surely not in Algeria where the wages— if they can be called wages— are pitiful.

lewat Posted 2008-05-25

Those who say "Arab Maghreb" are Arab Baathists, (Arab Bathism = Arabism = Zionism = Nazism = racism). So as not to fall into such extremism, which divides people, “North Africa” or simply “Maghreb” without any sectarianism should be said. But, in my opinion, the Maghreb cannot exist so long as its leaders are dependent on international Zionism. In the forum, we are speaking about opening the border, but this is to the benefit of terrorism and, more especially, the large drug market controlled by the Zionists. Opening the border is still far off. Before opening the border, we need to take care of our own messes: a lot of Maghreb dealers are established Zionists. Why are Moroccans pretending to be Algerians to plead for the border to be opened?

الهواري Posted 2008-05-29

Algerian rulers say what they don’t do. Beware of them they are the snakes of the desert. Their only concern is the territorial integrity of the Maghreb, they work day and night for its destruction. They respect no covenants, no promises. They promise you something and they astonish you with something else. Poisoned grains, fruit of Al Zakoum tree.

مخلوف اسلام Posted 2008-06-17

What is the use of opening borders between the two countries? At least for us the Algerians, we will only reap evil from you. We are for the separating wall.

alid Posted 2008-06-28

The Sahara is Moroccan and it will stay that way until the French companies in Morocco and maybe even their protector, France, explode. The Polisario, however, is not Morocco and it will stay that way forever too. The Polisario want Algeria to kick it up a notch, not to attack Morocco, but to better control the border, which has been closed since 1994, so as to ensure that Morocco and its Zionist protectors are consequently prevented from taking advantage of Algeria. Without a free Sahara, there can be no Maghreb, no Arab League, and perhaps even the Alaouite-Zionist Kingdom will collapes because of this. Long live the Polisario! Long live Algeria, the government of which is in the service of anti-colonialism. The Alaoutes are in the service of French Zionism and they know very little about Algerians.

visiteure Posted 2008-10-22

What border is this article about? Oh, the Algerian-Moroccan border! Personally, I say we should build a wall four metres high with electrified barbed wire and anti-personnel mines ten kilometres out all along the Kabyle border.

سامي1976 Posted 2009-03-02

Our Moroccan friend talks about Moroccan east, Moroccan army and a war fought by the Moroccan forces, when has Morocco entered a war? Except for the free sons of Rif and from when was the western front of Algeria the property of Morocco? I think it is better to keep borders closed. Algeria cannot bear any more the Moroccan hallucination and stupidity. Please publish.

farid Posted 2009-03-08

Algeria for Algerians.

muntassir Posted 2009-04-26

You have expulsed Moroccans and imprisoned innocent people in Tindouf. There still to this day prisoners and you say we are dictators? What would you say about the civil war in your country? Is it not the result of the dictatorship you have? If someone listens to you talking in this way, he will think there are no domestic problems in your country. We weren’t not in need of you. What isolation is this? It was you who came and sell your trade here. Just go to the borders and see what happens there. Your sons smuggle everything to the point that in last Eid Al Adha they smuggled sick sheep. They also smuggle hallucinating pills which originally came from Spain. When you talk my brother, bring evidence so that we will be aware of them.

Mustapha Posted 2009-06-29

No matter how you slice it, Algeria has nothing to gain and everything to lose by opening its borders with Morocco. We may be brothers, but there's no denying that we are very different. Long live Algeria!

BRAHMI Posted 2009-07-27

95% of the population in Oran and in southern Algeria is originally from Morocco. Just like Algeria, the latter forms a large part of the Maghreb. As for us people of the Maghreb, the borders left by colonialism are virtual. It is quite possible that we are going to reclaim the Maghreb State of our ancestors.

Mohamed Posted 2009-09-01

The Algerians are all jealous. Look at the Moroccans without you, even with the border still shut. You can indeed see that the Moroccans are a bit stronger than you. They are intelligent. It is because of this that you do not want to open this **** border. You know that if you opened it, the Moroccans could really go places.

Marroki Posted 2009-11-22

I am a moroccan and have to say that Morocco is soooo much better than Algeria. It is very obvious and the algerians knows this too. Our tourism is exploding and we have almost 10 million visitors every year. The citys in Morocco are so much more beautiful and better known than the algerian cities. We have Tanger, Fes, Meknes, Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Essaouira, El Jadida, Tetouan, Agadir and many more. We Have both the atlantic ocean and the mediterranean sea, and the 14 km proximity to Spain. We have investors from all over europe and the arab world in our country, and Morocco is well known for its design of furnitures, home equippement and clothing. When people think of Morocco they think of an exotic place, the souks in the ancient medinas, the culture, the colors, the landscape everything is beautiful.

موسى الحاج Posted 2010-06-09

In reply to brother Sami. Morocco doesn't have oil or gas, but the living standard is better than that of Algeria. Morocco is the country of human resources, country of intellectuals, creators, academicians… As for wars, we don't believe in such bloody approaches. We want everyone in the world to live in peace, love and respect. This is our principle. These are our principles. I remember the day when Algeria was in trouble and how Moroccan society mobilised to help its neighbours. It was Aid Al Adha, to be precise. These are our features as we learned them from our honourable Messenger (peace be upon him. I love Algeria and hope the border will be opened. This is the strategic solution to build a strong Arab Maghreb which will stand in the face of all coming challenges.

SAID Posted 17 days ago

To Ilias- Who appointed you representative of all the Algerians? I am Algerian and I find an Arab Maghreb Union interesting. You know what else? A lot of Algerians find an Arab Maghreb Union interesting. I will not say all Algerians – I did not do a poll – but there are many. Did you really think anyone was stupid enough to believe that all Algerians have the exact same opinion on this issue? The only thing you have done here is demonstrate the stupidity of your Algerian supremacism. This is the same supremacism that makes you believe that we are “profoundly different” from our neighbours and makes you believe in Zionist conspiracies. What does Zionism or Israel have to do with the Maghreb? Absolutely nothing. Yes, Israel’s approach to Palestine is bad, but that does not make them the number-one world enemy. And, you really have very little understanding of history. Take a look at the history of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. (I personally find this man to be awful, but I imagine a blind patriot like you would love him.) He belonged to Colonel Houair Boumedienne’s Oujda group. Yes, that is right, Oujda is in Morocco. Morocco allowed Boumedienne, Bouteflika and several others to conduct operations on its soil. I think most people would consider this “receiving help.” But why am I even talking to you? It is already clear you have no interest in facts. All you care about is that imaginary country in your head and all its citizens who agree with you.