Algeria responds to Moroccan comments on Western Sahara
2008-11-11
Algerian Interior Minister Nourredine Yazid Zerhouni on Monday (November 10th) refuted remarks made by King Mohammed VI regarding Western Sahara that Algeria is attempting to "balkanize the Maghreb", local press reported. In a speech last Thursday to mark the 33rd anniversary of the "Green March", the Moroccan ruler also criticised Algeria for the country's "obstinate refusal" to normalise its relations with Morocco and re-open the land border closed in 1994. "We have always dreamed of building an Arab Maghreb and have long pursued this ideal," Zerhouni told reporters. The "real question", he added, is which kind of Maghreb will be built.
This content was commissioned for Magharebia.com.
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ahmed /batna Posted 2008-11-12
Unfortunately, we have no strategy; we are just enthralled in our immediate lives. We will not find solutions that conform to international law or geostrategy and to the will of God and His sacred Qur’an by lending the latter to the dated Arab and Maghreb reading. Satan easily separates spouses to dislocate their children, and he is stronger than anyone’s conscience. This has handed over so many immigrants in search of bread to the distant heavens.
MAHDIBEY Posted 2008-11-12
Frankly, this will never happen. There is nothing on the horizon. We are so tired of hearing our politicians’ same overused, baked and oft-repeated rhetoric. Personally, given my age, I will surely die without seeing this dream come to light. In the end, it is just the Arabs.
BM Posted 2008-11-12
This article treats very lightly what is a very serious subject. Mr Zerhouni’s reaction is quite light too, given such a clear-cut proposal. The Grand Maghreb is in itself a fundamental question and it deserves greater interest, being that the consequences risk being very very very heavy. And, where are the Tunisians in all of this?
gol Posted 2008-11-13
I believe that the King made a policy mistake in calling on Algeria to open the border. Why? A leader needs to be the master of all the situations that his country comes against, and not just a spectator who leaves the control to direct our future to the whim of another country. In effect, what he should have said, given the elements are not united, is: “We are withdrawing from this pseudo-union until further notice so as to allow the four other countries of the Maghreb, Mauritania, Tunisia, Libya and Algeria unite.” Even if this union were to see the light of day, it would be like a giant giving birth to a mouse!
BEN Posted 2008-11-13
It is a rather petty reaction on the part of the Algerian Minister to call upon international law/order, which he himself is supposed to respect. We do not close borders in the 21st Century the same way we close a shop door. There is a population that would like to move freely between both sides. The Minister is looking to be the loser in this situation. As a leader who ensures his country’s domestic security, he needs to know who will truthfully benefit from things as they are, because it is certainly not the honest people on both sides. Displaced families are obliged to pointlessly return and, therefore, there is no new argument here. The Algerian government is writing a new history of the Maghreb without involving the locals. The truth is that a monarch has been born in Algeria. Welcome to the Algerian Makhzen.
Smail Posted 2008-11-13
The Moroccans’ commotion has a single aim, namely the reopening of the border to get benefits from the economic and social fallout. Algeria, lucid and having learned its lessons from the past, has decided to no longer play the thankless role of a creamery for the Moroccan and Tunisian grocers. To each his own and God for all! And, may we all get a move on! A word to the wise!
Brahim Iberkak Posted 2008-11-13
I don't know if Algeria really knows what the Sahara means to Morocco. Will they go to war for it? Morocco did, and cetainly will again if it has to. Is it worth it to Algerians to keep the refugees waiting for another generation to grow up in the camps? One thing is sure, without Algeria, the Sahara conflict would have never existed.
houari mohamed Posted 2008-11-14
Salam- To all those people who love respect and brotherliness, I sincerely believe that we have nothing to gain from opening our border to our Moroccan cousins. During the “Black Decade”, Morocco took the initiative of closing the border. At that time, the late Hassan II knew nothing of caring for the border families and, consequently, their Algerian counterparts. This is not to mention how much our Algerian nationals around at the time of the border being closed suffered from your police brutality. We cannot repeat the same scenario. So, you stay put and we will stay put. We have no trust in you--“Pas de confiance!”--rather only bitterness.
taoufik Posted 2008-11-15
Mr Smail- You are severely wrong about the situation. You think that the Moroccan economy is waiting on the “Algerian creamery”!? If Morocco had Algeria’s oil and gas, it would be the Arab Emirates of the Maghreb. When I watch your country’s news, which I like more than anything else, it shows what your unemployment rate and minimum wage are. I have to tell myself that such waste is impossible. In the Maghreb, only Morocco and Tunisia stand out. In Morocco we have nothing, but just take a look at the sectors Morocco excels in: aeronautics (in competition with Tunisia, who just started); automobiles (Morocco is the only country exporting to France and Spain); nanotechnology (competing with Egypt and South Africa); agriculture; tourism, having eight million tourists in 2008; microcredit, being second in the world, just behind India; and so on. Stop listening to your politicians. Congratulations to Bouteflika on becoming president for life!
محمد Posted 2008-11-16
We don't want to open borders with Morocco until it reforms itself.
Abdallah .E. Posted 2008-11-16
having lived abroad most of my life and having had the opportunity to befriend many Algerian brothes and sisters;i truly believe ,there will never be a Grand Maghreb because we have very opposed regimes .As a Moroccan ,i truly love the king because he simply cares and is sincere in his desire to build a better Morocco. I can assure you he has no agressive ideas towards Ageria.I just do not see how in the hell ,we will ever give the Sahara away to the Algerian Army.The Autonomy is a bad is idea as well.The Sahara is simply Moroccan just like Algeia has its own .look at the maps of both countries and you will realise,somebody stole somehing from somebody!
Issam Posted 2008-11-17
In response to mr. houari mohamed, i acknowledge the algeriens that the avergae moroccan is against the intiatives that the moroccan government and the king towards the matter of borders and maghreb future. I must further infrom that our input to this issue, is that we do not have anything to do with the algeriens because they have proved throughout history that they are not trustworthy and chaos familar. I as a moroccan i see that we have insignificant positivity from opening the borders especailly for their blind self-perception and regards to neighboring countries, they are stuck with a mentality of the revolution era. Morocco has never seen a direct benefit from algeria except for the benefit neighboring families. It only takes for morcco to cut the supply of the gas pipe that runs throught morocco in order for algeria to get back to the dark years.
debous Posted 2008-11-17
We must render unto God what is God’s. The Western Sahara is Sahraoui. The Sahara has its own people and these people are still waiting for their independence, and they will get it sooner or later. Algeria, my country, supports this cause as it does all other just causes. All Algerians and all free men are in favour of international law, which Morocco denies with a deaf ear!!! May it go free Ceuta and Melilla, which are on Moroccan territory!!! We Algerians do not want to open our border to drugs, which cause the region to go into rage, nor to anything else.
Med Posted 2008-11-17
To Taoufik- Your comment speaks a lot of truth, however, you must not hide what is most obvious: this deadlock has the conflict over the Western Sahara and Morocco’s intransigence so as not to remedy this as its essential origin. Although Morocco seems to have adopted a good strategy toward development, it has managed this conflict quite poorly. It wants at all costs to recover these territories, including by bypassing international law. Since 1975, this behaviour has been the source of disagreement between Algerian and Morocco. What our brothers still do not understand is that it is human for the Moroccans to refuse the Western Sahara’s independence but it is inadmissible for them to oppose a free referendum for the Sahrawi people. So long as they do not adopt a good strategy towards the real problem with this conflict, the status quo and the disagreements will continue.
anass Posted 2008-11-17
i posted some comments, apparently this site is biased somehow. comment from a true moroccan point of view
Algeroi Posted 2008-11-17
To Taoufik- You are the frog who took himself for a cow and, as a result, you are going to explode in your stupidity. Why don’t you mention the poverty in your countryside, your child slaves, your sex tourism industry, your homeless children’s poor lives, your illegal immigrants, the dictatorship of your Makhzen, your lack of freedom of expression, the oppression of your Berbers in Sidi Ifni, your servility during all trials (you are always on your knees), your corruption at all levels (including the police and administration) and so on? I could continue on into tomorrow.
Shafik Posted 2008-11-17
debous, there is something u need to understand and that something that most algerians never learned because of the wide spread algerian propaganda that have reshaped the facts to suit their agenda. that something is that western sahara was always under the sovreignty og morocco since almoravids whom are the ancesstor component among which formes the moroccan identity. not only that western part of algeria belonged to morocco since almohads through saadiyine and precolonisation era. what algerians fail to admit is that if they are going to name sahraoui to particular land , i think it is common sense that sahara isn't western sahara, sahrawi are nomades, and if they are claiming any territory they should claim the whole sahara including algeria and mauritania. and remember RASD leader is moroccan his father denies his son because he denied his moroccan identity.
klir Posted 2008-11-18
The cause for which Morocco and its neighbour Algeria has reached this deadlock in opening communication and co-operation channels with each other is love for leadership. Both of them want the Arab Maghreb to be under its control. But if we examine reality, we find out that both of them are a burden on foreign countries. From food to sleeping, these things are provided by foreign countries. So why are these countries enemies? If America ordered solving the existing problem between them, will they refuse? No and a thousand times no. But the secret is, why does America not interfere directly in this problem and who makes profit from this strained situation? I address this question to our officials. In other words, I don’t say what is the use of opening borders but I say why do they exist (these countries) since their policies are from external side and since we live as a burden? Finally I hope and call at the same time upon America to interfere to solve the so-called problem of the Sahara so that we will see what the countries whose people are drowned in a black triangle will do. Honestly, you are not countries compared to the countries which are on the other side of the Mediterranean. You are mere small states, no king and no president.
A.E Posted 2008-11-18
Please Algeria,do not open your borders ,we are just fine the way we are! We do not need your business,there is enough countries that are eager to cooperate with us. We cannot please everybody.Sahara is Moroccan as long as Moroccans and weapons exist.
7arbi Posted 2008-11-20
Morocco is far better off without opening the borders, morocco is doing pretty well. Moroccan have done favors for algeria without a single return except for attitude and arrogance that moroccans are masters at, so who are the algerians are kidding.
محمد المزغني Posted 2008-11-21
Firstly, I express my love to dear Morocco. Any historical study of the relationship between the two brotherly countries reaches the conclusion that integration between them is not possible. Algeria and Morocco has each a historical background extending over thousands of years and which shapes future objectives for each country. Morocco and Algeria cannot be blamed for wishing to be each a regional power in the region. This was their endeavour for hundreds of years. But their conflict in such a way is shameful at a time when regional powers, whose strength we ignore, attempt alone to control the region by taking advantage of the deteriorating relations between the two most important entities in the Arab Maghreb. This fear shown by the Moroccan regime of Algeria and the attempt to distort its image on the world level caused a lot of prejudice to Morocco in terms of the view of the Algerian to Morocco. The Algerian people today despise the Moroccan regime. (I apologize for using this word, but as brothers we should be frank). This is the consequence of the provocative statements of the Moroccan regime. A greeting of fraternity, love and affection to every Moroccan.
Med Posted 2008-11-22
To Shafik- “Algerian propaganda” is not what is at the origin of this deadlock; rather, it is the “expansionist mindset” of certain Moroccans that is at the origin of the difference between Morocco and Algeria. I will remind you that at the time of Spanish colonisation, there were effectively lines of allegiance between the Sultan of Moroccan and certain tribes in the region of Sakiet El Hamra in the North of the Western Sahara. There also existed such lines between the ensemble of Mauritania, then called “Bilad Chinguiti” and certain regions in the South of the Western Sahara, the Oued Ed-Dhahab. However, there was no territorial sovereignty with these countries. During this time, the Western Sahara constituted the seat of the Sahrawi people (in their true, properly defined character), being composed of autonomous tribes, independent of all exterior authority. A great injustice was done in 1975, when Spain decided against the advice of the UN to divide the territories, giving the northern Sakiet El Hamra to Morocco and the southern Oued Ed-Dhahab to Mauritania. Instead of searching at all costs to impose autonomy under its sovereignty, Morocco *should* comply with international law on self-determination, which was confirmed on 21 October 2008 by the UN Decolonisation Committee. Otherwise, the status quo will continue and the region as a whole will be the one to suffer the consequences. It should also accept the UN’s appointment of a new mediator for the Western Sahara and negotiate a fair, lasting and acceptable solution with the Polisario that would finally allow the Sahrawi people to freely decide their future: either to join Morocco or to live freely in an independent state.
ع.المحمدية /المغرب Posted 2008-11-22
This is just a personal opinion. Which Arab Maghreb we want to build? Mr the honourable minister, we want a united Arab Maghreb in order to cooperate between the two countries in all sectors to face new challenges: financial and economic crises, starvation, poverty, to allow both peoples to suffer, love and express happiness and sorrow. We want an unbreakable union. We want everything. Salam.
Yusuf Posted 2008-11-23
We all know now about western sahara which is in Morocco. We must alson know that it other part which is Eastern Sahara is found in south of Algeria. Applying the same reasoning that the sahrawi population are different from the rest of Moroccans, we can say the same about the sahrawi population in south of Algeria is different from the rest of Algerians. If we continue debating this under the same rulee, we will end up of mini entities or republicsin the whole north Africa. I am Amazigh from Rif (north of Morocco), we are differnt from the rest of Morocco, therefore Rif must be independent of Morocco, Souss, Shelh and Kbaile, Touareq....and will never finish Wake up people. Europe and USA are powerful because they are united. Remember, California and Texas were once part of Mexico.
rood Posted 2008-11-24
What are these heresies we hear about in this corner? We are Muslims first, then Arabs second. There is no need to widen the gap between us. Everyone has his land, sky and borders. Both parties should be good neighbours. The side which is more concerned here is Algeria. It should take care of its personal problems and let Morocco manage its internal problems. The issue of the Sahara is an internal problem. A Tunisian living in Morocco.
حالد الامين Posted 2008-11-29
Western Sahara will remain Western Sahara. If only Moroccans there think of killing 40 million Algerian martyrs and bear arms. But these are mere dreams. If we die, we will survive again with the will of God the Almighty who is not unjust to an oppressor. We will fight and restore it to its people. I am the martyr for the cause of God and for the cause of the Sahraoui brothers.
Messaoud Posted 2008-12-03
There is a new imerging picture: Algeria is coming out of its mini-civil war in force and much strengthened. It has learned many lessons the hard way. It has acquired invaluable experience in the fight against terror, an invaluable experience in dealing with Islamist mouvements, invaluable experience in running a country under extreme hardship and dangers from all sides. Algeria has debvelopped a much better and deeper understanding of its neighbours, and its regional strategic plans and how they can be achieved. The ecnonmy is growing stronger, many of the big projects have been restarted and new ones are being launched (Metro d'Alger, East-West Express Motorway, Tramway, Biggest dissalination plant in Africa and Arab world, many new universities, first airplane without-pilot made in Algeria, the launching of the second Algerian satellite ALSAT-2 into orbit very soon, etc. etc.)....confirence is coming back and Algeria needs to concentrate on development of its economy and infrastructures, and tackling social issues. The problem of the Sahara is not ours.... it is now in the safe hands of the UN and international community, and I am sure the Sahrawis are politically mature to fight for their rights.
kacem Posted 2008-12-03
I am an Algerian and I am a nationalist of the umma like you cannot imagine. The Algerian people are in favour of opening the border under certain conditions: become a republic and that way you will no longer have to kiss any hands. Rid yourself of the Zionists who have a monopoly on even the smallest decision in Morocco.
Rachid Posted 2008-12-04
A word to our Moroccan brothers and sisters: WALLAHI your makhzen is wasting time and resources into a lost cause in advance! You will live to the day when Western Sahara is independent.... Historically, all nations that have sought and fought for independence, got it, sooner or later. Hassan II put Morocco in a terrible mess and Mauritanians were much smarter when they pulled out of Western Sahara... they saw what was coming!
LIBERTE Posted 2008-12-05
I am an Algerian and proud of it. First of all, thank you for congratulating our dear Bouteflika. In any case, we can vote and, even if the military forces are the ones to decide, one day our forces will change and so will our government. Well, in any case, it won’t stay like it always is like with Hassan, Mohamed, Hassan, Mohamed, Hassan, Mohamed and so on. Sorry, forgot how many there were. Now, you are talking about our borders. Let us not open them! Surely they are good as it is. What are your intentions?... Those drugs of yours!? No, thank you. As for vacationing there, surely with all of our money we can pee wherever we want. But, I do not understand anything: you closed the border and now you do not have the keys, and why should you? These keys, thank God, are what have brought our country development and you want us to give them to you. Do like us, live with your nationality. Live like our flag, white and free. Kiss your king’s hand for me and tell him that I love God. Algeria! Barcelona! Freedom!
mohamed Posted 2008-12-09
We must all think about the future of these generations who sow hatred between brothers and will most assuredly reap serious problems because of it. While, just above us, peoples of different languages, ethnic origins, histories and cultures are in the process of building a single nation, we are trying to fight one another. We Arabs should disappear from this earth and leave the other men to live in peace.
gol Posted 2008-12-12
In the end, the Moroccan Sahara conflict is finally going to open the eyes of the Moroccan officials. The previous idea of considering Algeria as a sister is in the past, of aiding them in their fight for independence and of making territorial concessions was crazy!!! And, we are paying the consequences for this today!
marocain Posted 2008-12-27
In response to “LIBERTE”- Were you taught in school to express yourself using insults and verbal abuse? This is something that, above all else, belongs to the French. They know this better that anyone else. Before insulting the Moroccans, you need to do some research in order to understand your origin. Do you have a French, Turkish or Moroccan father? It would be better if you were to acquire an identity of your own. Have you ever asked who you father was if you were born prior to 1962 or who your grandfather was if not? A territory that has been invaded throughout the centuries by colonisers? Was he from a bastard country that saw the light of day the 5 May 1962, after a fratricidal war between the Harquis and Fellagas, supported by Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco. It is not so unusual, psychologically speaking, that, without roots, you ended up with no affiliations after 1962. How many Turks, French, Moroccans and Tunisians have pissed in your house in the last centuries?
dzlove Posted 2008-12-29
Sincerely, as an Algerian, I prefer to see our border shut, and that is for the good of both sides! We would be the loser if we opened the border because of the arms, fuel and drugs from Morocco. And, who says that the Moroccans would not come prostitute themselves here like they do in so well in Jordan and Dubai! All the while, Morocco would win the Algerians who go to Morocco to be tourists! In any case, I do not see the point of opening the border. What interest in terms of business do you have in Algeria?
filali Posted 2008-12-31
Frankly, you Moroccans make it out as if you have all this hatred towards Algeria. Why?
djamal Posted 2008-12-31
What is up with all of these insults over a problem that will sooner or later find its remedy? I would just like to say to “Marocain” that if you look hard enough, then all of the Arabs should leave North Africa, because the natives, the true inhabitants of the Maghreb, are the Amazighs, the free people. If the king of Morocco is a descendant of the Prophet, who Himself was not born in Morocco, then may he go back to Arabia! The Arab occupation of the countries of the Maghreb affected Morocco just as it did Algeria, so please measure your words and be fair. -Sincerely
bedjaoui Posted 2009-01-06
Long live Algeria! Long live Morocco! United Maghreb.
boras Posted 2009-01-09
The polisario is a relic of the cold war. Both they and the military junta regime running algeria need to get with the program. History is there for all to see in 1969, Frank E. Trout, a Harvard academic published a book showing in meticulous detail how Morocco's eastern Saharan provinces were systematically annexed by the French when they were creating Algeria from scratch. The Larousse of 1888 defined the size of Morocco as 812,000 square kilometers, but in its 1897 edition, it reduced the size to 800,000 and in 1956 to only 430,810, without giving any idea how Morocco's landmass shrank to its present dimensions. Facts such as these are indisputable which is why polisario is doomed to failure and their idiotic algerian backers will be exposed as frauds.
daissi Posted 2009-01-09
I do not see why Morocco and the Moroccans want to open the border. Among us Algerians and Moroccans, they say it is because we are Arab. If so, then we need to give independence to the Sahara; otherwise, you will have nothing at all – no opening of the border.
bois Posted 2009-01-21
Why have we locked ourselves into this narrow-minded nationalism, designating Algeria as the trouble-maker in the region? Allegiance to someone should not be inherited; it is not a title to property. As for the border being closed, the Makhzani were the ones who closed it, accusing their neighbours of being behind the bombing in Casablanca. That is brotherhood!? In response to Toufik, the manufacturing of automobiles and their exportation to the EU proves that the standard of living in Morocco is pretty low. And, this latter proves that your country needs to make a huge effort to distance itself from this type of debt. (It is the second highest in the world, after India.)
Smain Posted 2009-01-23
I remember that King Hassan II, God rest his soul, made a deal with Mauritania to share the Western Sahara, but, could you even imagine such an attitude if the Sahara really is Moroccan? So, to both of our leaders, Bouteflika and Mohamed VI, listen to each other about the sharing of the Sahara! The first part goes to the Polisario, the second to Morocco! And, enough already!!! Let the citizens of the Maghreb live freely!
Jamal_Riffian Posted 2009-01-24
If you are arrogant, go and be, if you deny your brother to be frends beacause you happen to have Petrol, be it! If you think you are better because we have a monarch be! That`s not the issue. The issue is Morocco and Algeria are investing to much in military build up. The issue is of dictatorship in both counties, we have the Maghzan, you the generals. So Algeria has a more open media? Who are you kidding. I from the Riff an a student, born and living in the Netherlands, I`m not a business man or from the Maghzan. I just want to go once in my life take the car from my village in the Riff and drive East, to Algiers, to pray in the mosk and drink a cup of thea with my Algerian brothers, have small talks, visit the University, go to the Imazighen of the Chouwi and Kabyle, talk to them in with my Riffian Berber. Maybe this is just a dream, but it is a nice dream. I have seen the movie La Bateille D`Alger, I can understand how you feel,I know 1 Milljon Algerians died honourably for their country, you gained your liberty on a high toll, and diserve every inch of liberty! We Riffians know haw that is. I know that reality is we cannot change the ones that rule us, both of us, this needs time to reform, maybe we can help each other, I know Morocco has it`s problems but so does our neighbours. Please don`t think yourself to be better than us, this is an inult to all the Imazighen who fought against Franca and Spain, and I won`t forget the 1 milljon Algerians that gave their lives for their territory. Mohim we can debate, but don`t insult me and your grandparents that raised you.
algerien Posted 2009-01-24
Why does my Algeria hold so dearly to this “Sahrawi Democratic Republic”, while speaking at the same time of self-determination!?! Do not tell me that this is a matter of principle!!! Please, tell me what strategic interest another entity in the Maghreb represents for Algeria. Must a great, united and well-organised country such as Morocco suffer more so that Algeria can realise its strategic interests!?! I honestly await some convincing explanations. Thank you in advance. (This is by no means a form of alienation.)
arab and ashamed Posted 2009-01-31
All of you here are full of ****.....shame on you all shame shame" wa t3awano ala el biri wa taqwa wala t3awano ala el itmi wa el3odwan" [help each other to do good deeds and not evil and hatred]..... we are all arab, brothers and sisters...wake up people and thinking about the big picture...we are the less respected poeple on the face of the earth..,wake up people..our sisters are being raped...abused..our bothers are being killed...and you here talk about s##t...wake up poeple..im an arab and ashamed to be...you should too!!!
abdelkhalek mohamed Posted 2009-02-02
To the Algerians and Moroccans- You ought to be blushing for all you wanted. Surely, our Prophet, prayers and peace be upon Him, must be turning in his grave. He left us the Qur'an and the shariah as a legacy. And, even less for us people who have nothing to do with this conflict. Just a reminder: the politicians declare war with a wineglass in hand and stop conflicts with receptions. It is up to us, the Moroccan and Algerian people, to pray to Allah to show our leaders wisdom and foresight and to do this so that our children know hat we are currently living through. Do not poison our relations with unsolicited writing that do not serve the Islamic umma. Sooner or later, we will pay for this before Allah. Be wise and have some restraint, because no one knows what tomorrow hold. Salam alaikoum and God Bless. –From Oran, Mohamed Abdelkhalek
Joseph Mimoun Posted 2009-02-04
How can the algerians talk about brotherhood when they stab us in the back by supporting this terrorist group called polisario. Brotherhood is built on trust but there can be no trust when algeria continues to supply polisario with weapons and money to cause problems for Morocco. How would algerians feel if Morocco paid Kabyles in algeria money and supplied them with weapons with the intent to cause internal strife?! Surely they would not like it. Until algeria changes their stupid old fashioned Cold-War mentality towards Morocco then no real progress can be made between the two nations.
Ali_mouh Posted 2009-02-05
Opening the border between Algeria and Morocco remains a delicate issue because of the smuggling and the trafficking of drugs and weapons. Algeria coldly received the Moroccan authorities’ request to reopen the land border on the grounds that it would be detrimental to our country because of the phenomenon of smuggling and trafficking drugs. Algeria also raised what amounts to preconditions for the complete normalisation of bilateral relations, the foremost being Moroccan security services’ providing border control. The official reservations against Morocco’s request were expressed by the Minister of the Interior, Noureddine Yazid Zerhouni, who declared on Radio Algeria’s Channel 3 that Algeria “is not eager to re-open the border, because we have evaluated the extent of the damage that such a decision as this would engender, notably the phenomenon of smuggling.” He likewise indicated, “I am not saying that opening the border will exacerbate the phenomenon, but that it will not contribute to resolving it in any way.”
m'hamed Posted 2009-02-09
A large conglomerate is not built from above on the good or bad moods of the project managers, i.e. the politicians; it belongs to the people of the region to decide in complete freedom their common destiny, far from kings and dictators and their mock democracies.
فدائي Posted 2009-03-04
I swear by God if the matter was in my hand I would have swept the Polisario from earth because it is the cause of strife and killing between two brotherly nations Morocco and Algeria. Honestly, the Sahara is Moroccan and it will remain Moroccan whether you like it or not. I don’t say this just because I am Moroccan but because I have historical evidence and proofs.
صحراوي Posted 2009-03-28
Long live Polisario, long live Western Sahara free, long live Sahrawi people; long live the Arab Democratic Sahrawi Republic.
bous Posted 2009-04-08
May God guide you Algerians and Moroccans.
arab Posted 2009-04-14
I am Tunisian but I live in Morocco. I know that Morocco has paid dearly for Algeria’s independence. This is well known and no one can deny it. I invite Algeria to take care of its domestic problems, which we hear about every day (“death”, “injury” and so on). The Algerian leaders only talk about Morocco. Morocco!? What a shame! You do understand the tremendous benefits oil brings!? Yet the Algerian people are living in poverty and misery, and you have but one care: Morocco!? Morocco!? What a shame! I invite the two countries to open up to one another for the good of the people of the Maghreb and their region. Each of these countries needs the other. The Arab Maghreb Union must come to light. Look at the European Union: they went through wars, but they still united. We do not have any real problems, but we are not united. We need a mindset for unity, not for separation and creating microstates (Sahrawi, Kabyle, Touareg, Chaoui and so on).
abdelhamid Posted 2009-05-08
I am Algerian. My only wish is that our president and your king, Mohamed VI, will one day or another find the means to satisfy the two peoples, the Algerians and Moroccans, blood brothers and neighbours. Personally, with concern to the Polisario, I do not care at all about a referendum. Let us stay Moroccan or let them stay Sahrawi – it is up to Mohamed VI to make a decision to the regard. In this light, may God guide them in the right direction such that our two peoples, the Moroccans and Algerians, will be left to love each other even more than before. I also think that the Moroccan and Algerian police ought to be cooler than this, especially one the border. When coming from Spain to Bab Sebta last year, I noticed that when they see a green passport they go nuts and vice versa. May the two guides guide us on the right path. –Abdelhamid (someone who loves these two brother peoples)
IBALINE EL HACHMI Posted 2009-05-11
I read the comments above. So as to avoid certain unusual word styles, I ended up scientifically reasoning that our ancestors’ dreams, - djellabas, suit coats and all - are calling upon us to hear them. They would end up in mourning over the marvellous victory holidays which they gave to us long ago. These poor ones died with the idea that when a man dies he should leave behind him appreciative descendants and alms so that they may live in peace together. With regards to the insulting words above, they would have thought we would have changed our language by now or been converted from such excess. They remind us of our history as we have learned it, and their proverbs incite us to do good. They remind us with their written documents in the colour of saffron, and, finding them lost, they sob yet again. And, when want to know how we utilise this technology, they would find us accumulating not just a few things that go beyond our means. Behind these ideas are those wearing little glasses like those Hegel wore, so that they can see the vast expanse of land that they believe is flat. In our learning of modern science they would surely take joy; they would propose a religious holiday in Fez or Algiers. They would discover the sons of the enemies, anarchists, polytheists, enemies of progress, all of whom have no acquaintances and not even the slightest respect for our great people and our savants. At that time, they would tell us, “Learn to change your style, deepen your understanding of subject in proportion to their grandeur, or, at the very least, click on Magharebia’s Zawaya.” And they would end it by disappearing without saying “Goodbye.” Go to Zawaya, my dear brothers!
hiba Posted 2009-05-16
I defend my country Morocco.
said atamnia Posted 2009-08-07
Long live Algeria and the Algerians! We live 100 times better than the miserable Moroccans! Down with the king!
Talha Posted 2009-08-10
Long live the united maghreb long live Islam and down with brain washed nationalist the whole world a laughing at you. the best is the one who have taqqua (fear) of Allah there is bad people in Algeria and in Morocco and good people (here comes the suprice) in Morocco and Algeria.
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