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| Haidar’s Case Exposed Intensity of Anti-Morocco Feelings In Spain |
| HASSAN MASIKY | |||||||||||
 Washington-- For the observers following the ups and downs of the political strains between Morocco and Spain, the Sahrawi separatist Haidar’s case was an eye opener. The high level of support to the Sahrawi cause and the Polisario movement in Spain exposed the depth and the intensity of the anti-Morocco feelings in some circles in Spain. In fact, from the far left to the extreme right, Spanish political parties and their social organizations showed a deep-rooted disdain to Morocco and Moroccans; an arrogance and a condescension reminiscent of a past...
colonial era. However, if the Socialist (PSOE) government of Prime Minister Zapatero led a merciless diplomatic campaign against Morocco, the real danger to Morocco’s effort to legitimize its decolonization of the Western Sahara is lurking around the corner; his name is Mariano Rajoy and he is the President of the right wing Partido Popular (PP) and could possibly be Spain’s’ next Prime Minister.Indeed, Mr. Rajoy is a man in a mission to re-frame the Spanish Moroccan relations into a more confrontational context. The PP has always adopted adversarial positions on the major issues defining the relations between Rabat and Madrid. Declarations made by the secretary general of the PP, María Dolores de Cospedal, qualifying the new trade agreement between the EU and Morocco, which increased the volume of Moroccan tomato allowed into the EU market, as "seriously undermining” the interests of Spanish farmers is typical of the “old Right” mentality of confrontation that colors the PP view of Morocco. Furthermore, the PP has accused the Zapatero Government of giving in into Morocco by endorsing the “tomato deal” in exchange for the return to Morocco of the Polisario activist Haidar; an accusation denied by the Spanish Government.On the issue of the Western Sahara, the PP, a right wing political party created by leftover Falangists from Dictator Franco’s era, has been a champion of the Polisario separatist movement, a left wing military organization supported by the Algerian military. These strange bedfellows are a true danger to the stability and prosperity of North Africa and the Southern Mediterranean. Mr. Rajoy’s explosive criticism of Mr. Zapatero’s “soft handling” of the recent Moroccan-Spanish spat over the Haidar case is a warning of the level of hostility that awaits relations between Rabat and Madrid in case the PP wins the next election in Spain. Relations with Morocco have always been a part of the electorate “ball game” in Spain’s elections. It may not be the most important factor influencing their votes, yet Spanish voters weigh in the manner in which each of the political parties approach their relations with their neighbors to the south. This year, Spaniards have a clear choice between the PSOE poised and thoughtful approach versus the more adversarial and provoking slant of the PP. If the state of Spain’s relations with Morocco has some influence on the outcome of General Elections in Spain, the Moroccan government never seized the opportunity to gain a foothold in the Spanish political scene. True to its usual careless attitude, the Moroccan government has not attempted to benefit from this free lobbying effort. Rabat has been paying dearly for this negligent posture. As proven during the Haidar crisis, Morocco does not have many friends in Spain, a result of years of a nonchalant and a dormant Moroccan foreign policy that continues to this day. As Spain gets ready to assume the European Union presidency, any diplomatic confrontation with Morocco will put an end to Zapatero’s chance for a renewal of his mandate as Prime Minister. As the PP continues to gain in the polls, The PSOE does need any distractions from Morocco. If the Spanish electors have been unfairly blaming their economical woes on PM Zapatero, the PP has used the PSOE management of Haidar case to further portray to the socialists as weak in defending the interest of Spain. However, Rabat can dispel some of the PP accusations by extending a hand to Zapatero in spite of his government unfriendly attitude during the Haidar stay in Spain. Morocco is in good position to send a signal to the Spanish voters before the elections: a PP government will lead to hostile relations with Rabat. Moroccan antagonism can create serious economical, social and security harm to Spain’s economy and well being. Immigration, terrorism, agricultural policy, the occupation of Ceuta and Melilla, Spain’s economical interest in Morocco and military policy are all tools in the hand of the Moroccans to vex a potential new right wing government in Madrid. Would Morocco ever use these forms of political pressure on Spain to encounter a possible hostile PP foreign policy? The answer is uncertain. Rabat dull and some time non-existent foreign strategy in Spain will less likely come to the aid of the embattled Zapatero. 12/29/09
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Comments (5)
I am doing my part as a Moroccan expatriot regarding this article.
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hile MoroccoBoard.com encourages discussion on all subjects, including sensitive ones, the comments posted are solely the views of those submitting them. MoroccoBoard.com does not necessarily endorse or agree with the ideas, views, or opinions voiced in these comments. This is a moderated forum. Comments deemed abusive, offensive, or those containing profanity may not be published.
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I am doing my part as a Moroccan expatriot regarding this article. As an individual of a graduate degree of education and a world-wide patchwork of experience, I see that Morocco will continue to be intimidated by the Spanish as long as the Moroccan judicial system is diseased and works for only those who have money and power. Why the justice system? It is such because it is responsible for every rotten situation which arises on any level, business, social, or otherwise. If corruption is rampant, Moroccan citizens are trampled upon/crushed and the justice system backs those who perpetuate the cycle of corruption, then Spain and others will flex their polical and economic will as long as they can. Once again, the Justice system is the bed-rock of every reform in Morocco. If it is not cleaned up, then Morocco will achieve nothing of substance. My sister had to renew her passport recently, and she had to give bribes which added to almost $140.00. This is SICKENING. Who can Morocco convince the world if its citizens are suffering from mistreatments and injustices of this type. Please!!!! |
Thomas Hollowell
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Appreciate your Comments I find some truth in Morocco's statement; we have to. I mean, Spain, the States, and other places do enjoy a more democratic livelihood than Morocco. The king in Morocco is doing a great job. He is a sort of backbone to a society that is quite used to having a monarch (and whoever else) keep things running. I have lived in Morocco for a long time and I see how the system works here. It is broken. Worse or more broken than elsewhere, probably not. I do see potential for this country and its people. I don't want to hold my western ideas up to high though; the States has had some pitiful moments. I have hope there too. Thanks for this. Thomas Hollowell, author of Allah's Garden: A True Story of a Forgotten War in the Sahara Desert of Morocco http://www.allahs-garden.com |
A Moroccan guy
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... I say let's stop the flow of money from the Moroccan community in Europe and the US to Morocco. Maybe that will serve as a wakeup call for the corrupt Moroccan government. I understand this will cause a hardship on the average Moroccan but sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures. If we expect the Moroccan government to one day have some sense of patriotism and decide to get out of Spanish colonialism we are still subject to and reclaim our beloved ceuta and melilla then we are certainly smoking some damn good dope. The Moroccan officials are on the payroll of the Spanish government and special interest. They take bribes for keeping the legitimate issue of ceuta and Melilla under wraps and below the radar. I wonder sometimes if instead of Morocco, ceuta and Melilla belonged to Iran who we know have a strong sense national identity we so lack. I am sure Spain would have thought twice before treating them like second class citizens like they do to us. I will be saving my money from now on by going to morocco less and less...It's just not worth it. |
Dreamer
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Spain is still beatable Since joining the EU in 1982,Spain has always benefited from massive grants provided by the EU to build its infrastructure and economy and improve the low standards of living of the Spaniards.Early in the seventies of the last century,a lot of North Moroccans were used to seeing Spaniards roaming the streets looking for food among the locals.They used to be called "the rugged ones".They have come a long way since and they think they have every reason to dictate their rules on a weak Moroccan government with the Moroccan citizens and their interests are last on its agenda. As we can see each other across the straits of Gibraltar,the gap becomes agonizingly huge once one starts comparing .This is not to say we have to be at the mercy of this volatile and anti-Moroccan government or the PP ignorant leader if he becomes PM in the next elections.Morocco can still catch up with them as long as there is a real political will to speed up reforms towards enshrining a culture of accountability,fairness and national interest .Until then, they can treat That evil woman as a queen and treat Moroccan immigrants less than species as Moroccans back home are treated by their government less than sub-species .Until then they can ransack our fisheries and hijack our tomatoes.They can do what they like because they know that our government acts like a headless chicken once faced by a testing situation.What amazes me as someone living in the UK for a while is that a Spaniard are stereotypically portrayed as some thick waiter in the British comedy.But once you see one in London you will probably begin to understand the popularity of their PP leader. |
Morocco
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Morocco has only itself to blame Morocco has only itself to blame. When Morocco reaches the level of Democracy Spain enjoys, then we can complains about the attitudes of Spaniards toward Morocco. The proof is that in Morocco, this statement that I am making can be considered an act of treason. We are all traitors when we stand up against inequality and injustice and we are the good compatriot when we send money and when we visit Morocco twice a year. If we buy a real estate property, we are even better citizens. The road for Morocco is arduous and sadly we will be dead before we witness a real change. Thanks anyway for your relentless thrust of the Moroccan government and your hope tha things will get better. |
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