SAHARA PRESS SERVICE

New York, 26/03/2004 (SPS) Morocco « exported drugs and international terrorism to the world, as a consequence to the absence of democracy and to the serious crisis of Moroccan people's economic level of life», declared the President of the Republic, Mohamed Abdelaziz, in a declaration he gave to Spanish media, and reported on Thursday by Spanish information agency, (EFE).

The Head of State, in a work visit to USA since Wednesday, considered that Moroccan people's frustration, due to its leadership, caused Morocco to «export » international terrorism.

After having paid tribute to the « innocent victims » of Madrid's terrorist act and firmly condemned this aggression, Abdelaziz stressed on «the historical responsibility» of Spain towards Western Sahara?s issue.

Recalling the role fulfilled by Portugal in the independence of East Timor, Mr. Abdelaziz hoped that «Spain would bravely accomplish a similar role».

Moreover, he invited Spain to «seize» the opportunity offered by the peace plan presented by Kofi Annan's Personal envoy, James Baker, considering that supporting the international legality and Saharawi right to self-determination «does not contradict the vision of Spanish interests with Morocco or with any other country in the region ».

On another hand, the Head of State, having met with Kofi Annan, put forward UN Secretary General's preoccupation about the blockade in the Western Sahara's situation, underlining that he asserted him that UN « will save no efforts to make things move».

Mr. Abdelaziz wondered «for how much time» this stagnation will persist, and «to what extent will the peace process and the international legality remain attached to a Moroccan unilateral position».

Recalling Security Council's support to « Baker's Plan », accepted by Polisario Front, the President of the Republic estimated that Annan and Security Council, backed by international legality, « possess many means» to make the process advance. (SPS)

020/090/770/TRD 261848 Mar 04 SPS