Hilary Clinton:the Opening Plenary of the U.S.-Morocco Strategic Dialogue
Secretary of State Clinton began her remarks by saying that she hoped the situation in Yemen over the protests regarding the video "Innocent Muslims" would not escalate and she emphasised that the United States had nothing to do with the video which she condemned.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Hilary-Clinton-...
She explained that freedom of expression enshrined in the United States consitution prevented the government from supressing the video. She welcomed Saad Eddinne Othmani the Moroccan Foreign Affairs Minister to te Strategic dialogue saying that it had been a difficult week for the United States.She said that Ambassador Christopher Stevens who died during the attack on the US Consulate in Benghazi began his career in the Peace Corps working as a volunteer in the Atlas Mountains where he learnt to love the region. This led to a distinguished diplomatic career serving the United States and the people of North Africa.
she said that the United States looks to Morocco as a role model and she praised King Mohammed VI for his achievements which led her to establish the strategic dialogue between the two countries. She recalled the long association of the two countries since 1777 and said that the United Sates wanted a dynamic forward looking relationship with Morocco..
On political reform she commended Morocco's government in staying ahead of political developments during the Arab Spring by holding free and fair elections, empowering the government and ensuring that it reflected the will of the people. The political action group in the strategic dialogue would look at ways the United Stares could support Morocco's democracy. she was pleased that Morocco had agreed to tackle the problem of child marriage
and would support efforts to solve this problem.
She observed that "With regard to the Western Sahara, the United States continues to support efforts to find a peaceful, sustainable, mutually agreed-upon solution. U.S. policy toward the Western Sahara has remained consistent for many years. We have made clear that Morocco’s autonomy plan is serious, realistic, and credible, and that it represents a potential approach that could satisfy the aspirations of the people in the Western Sahara to run their own affairs in peace and dignity. We continue to support the negotiations carried out by the United Nations and hope parties can work toward resolution."
On the economy she said that the Moroccan economy was relativel healthy but faced the same challenge that was affectingt the rest of the world : high unemployment. The United States is providing $1.5 million to attract foreign investors and tackle corruption and she announced that a Morocco Business Development Conference would be held in Washington later in the year. she also expressed her desire to increase bilateral trade as so much went to Europe. She called for greater economic integration in NorthAfrica which would benefit North Africa.
The attack on the American Consulate in Benghazi had heightened security concerns and she highlighted the Global Counterrroism Task Force and Morocco's role in sharing information.She thanked Morocco for holding a workshop on threats in the South Atlantic.
USAID and the Peace Corps are supporting the guidance of unemployed Moroccan youth and justice reform.She commended Morocco for its constructive role on the UN Security Council especially its support for the effort to end violence in Syria.
As regards education and culture she noted that this year marks the 30th anniversary of teh academic exchange programe and she noted the presence of two alumni Dr Benjelloun and Dr Ouaouicha.
Foreign Minister Saad Eddine El Othmani reiterated his condolences over the death of Ambassador Chris Stevens in Benghazi and Morocco's rejection of violence and the killing of diplomats. hge thaked the Secretary of State for her clear statement on the anti islamic video.The world he said was tired of conflict and hate and it needed policies to promote peace and stability.
He reiterated Morocco's commitment to deveolping the Maghreb Union,its work on peace and security in the Sahel and the Sahara region, and the Western Sahara where Morocco has submitted a proposal on self rule which it considers to be the best solution to the longlasting conflict..
she said that the United States looks to Morocco as a role model and she praised King Mohammed VI for his achievements which led her to establish the strategic dialogue between the two countries. She recalled the long association of the two countries since 1777 and said that the United Sates wanted a dynamic forward looking relationship with Morocco..
On political reform she commended Morocco's government in staying ahead of political developments during the Arab Spring by holding free and fair elections, empowering the government and ensuring that it reflected the will of the people. The political action group in the strategic dialogue would look at ways the United Stares could support Morocco's democracy. she was pleased that Morocco had agreed to tackle the problem of child marriage
and would support efforts to solve this problem.
She observed that "With regard to the Western Sahara, the United States continues to support efforts to find a peaceful, sustainable, mutually agreed-upon solution. U.S. policy toward the Western Sahara has remained consistent for many years. We have made clear that Morocco’s autonomy plan is serious, realistic, and credible, and that it represents a potential approach that could satisfy the aspirations of the people in the Western Sahara to run their own affairs in peace and dignity. We continue to support the negotiations carried out by the United Nations and hope parties can work toward resolution."
On the economy she said that the Moroccan economy was relativel healthy but faced the same challenge that was affectingt the rest of the world : high unemployment. The United States is providing $1.5 million to attract foreign investors and tackle corruption and she announced that a Morocco Business Development Conference would be held in Washington later in the year. she also expressed her desire to increase bilateral trade as so much went to Europe. She called for greater economic integration in NorthAfrica which would benefit North Africa.
The attack on the American Consulate in Benghazi had heightened security concerns and she highlighted the Global Counterrroism Task Force and Morocco's role in sharing information.She thanked Morocco for holding a workshop on threats in the South Atlantic.
USAID and the Peace Corps are supporting the guidance of unemployed Moroccan youth and justice reform.She commended Morocco for its constructive role on the UN Security Council especially its support for the effort to end violence in Syria.
As regards education and culture she noted that this year marks the 30th anniversary of teh academic exchange programe and she noted the presence of two alumni Dr Benjelloun and Dr Ouaouicha.
Foreign Minister Saad Eddine El Othmani reiterated his condolences over the death of Ambassador Chris Stevens in Benghazi and Morocco's rejection of violence and the killing of diplomats. hge thaked the Secretary of State for her clear statement on the anti islamic video.The world he said was tired of conflict and hate and it needed policies to promote peace and stability.
He reiterated Morocco's commitment to deveolping the Maghreb Union,its work on peace and security in the Sahel and the Sahara region, and the Western Sahara where Morocco has submitted a proposal on self rule which it considers to be the best solution to the longlasting conflict..
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Hilary-Clinton-...