Andry
Tineo
INTL
31004
K.
Yanes
The
City College of New York, CUNY
Winter
2013
Exposé:
Friends, Neighbors and others
Friends
are people you can count on for assistance or support. At one point in life we
need friends and we must choose them wisely. In chapter twelve, “Friends,
Neighbors, and Others” in Marvine Howe’s book Morocco: The Islamist Awakening and Other Challenges stated the new
stages of the political relations Morocco has with foreign countries. Morocco's
friends and neighbors had been Europe, France and Spain. Morocco was the first
nation in the world to recognize the U.S in 1777. Since 1786 the United States
and Morocco have the oldest unbroken pact, which is the treaty of Peace and
Friendship (304). A new relationship came along with the United States in
spring of 2002. Morocco was one of the very few Arab countries to support the
United States in fighting terrorism. According to Mohammed VI, he wants to
fight terrorism because it is not only a concern to his country but also to all
the democratic people.
In
acknowledgement of their new friendship President George W. Bush announced the
free trade agreement, which would be beneficial to both countries. Supporting
the United States was like playing with fire because there were offenses in
Afghanistan and Iraq due to the previous World Trade Center attack. Morocco
primarily used to only look up to Europe and somewhat to the United States as
its main economic partner and pathway to modern progress (302).
With
the free trade agreement with America, it seemed like Morocco wanted to have
partnership with many benefits since they did not only want free trade. They
also wanted more investment in industries and services due to the fact that they
were not making much progress with their partnership with Europe. Free trade
was a controversial topic and it was requested that agriculture should not be
spoken of since they thought it was dangerous to be involved with one of their
main agriculture partner who was Europe and also have relations with others.
Morocco was scared that it would affect them economically.
Some
events that have occurred seemed odd. In May of 2003, Casablanca had suicide
bombings which is a mystery too many. Everyone wonders if the attacks were
intentional and if it was a new way of radical Islamist preaching their
movement, a conviction of Moroccans pro-western and American policies or
another indication of the rivalry between those that are wealthy and
underprivileged. At the current state of Morocco, I think it possibly could
have been any of the three, who knows the honest truth. I feel similar with
9/11 being a mystery as well.
The
sovereignty of the Western Sahara land continues to be a disagreement in which
it has affected political relations with many of its neighbors. During the
1960's the Soviet Union was supporting Morocco’s opponent, Algeria who was
fighting the indigenous people of the Western Sahara. In retaliation Morocco
reinforced their relationship with the West. It has been quite a challenge
claiming the Western Sahara, which is still an issue between the Polisario and
Morocco. Morocco was in agreement with the United States for the free trade
association thinking that they will assist in claiming the Western Sahara.
Morocco’s
enemy is their neighbor Algeria due to the issue with the Sahara. Their best
friend is Saudi Arabia since they have the same opponents other than Algeria.
They corresponded to each other with anything they could provide. Saudi Arabia supported
Morocco with money for war in the Sahara, essential oil, financing, investments
and jobs. Morocco provided technical cadres, security specialist and welcoming
vacation sites (318).
An
interesting fact that this chapter states was how Hassan II was recognized for
his role as a peacemaker. During the Arab-Israeli issue he was in good
relations with both and was considered as the mediator. Hassan was in relation
with many countries that it is remarkable that his own funeral was considered
his final act as a peacemaker. Mohammed VI tried to proceed in accordance with
his father by creating a multidimensional foreign policy. Due to this there is
an ongoing battle and pressure in which some Moroccans are stuck choosing
between their Islamic beliefs and attraction with the West.
Morocco
has many relations and has been seeking for support from their friends and
neighbors in search of solutions for their country. It seems as if Morocco has
always had a main concern of getting assistance in resolving their issue with
the Western Sahara. They have been persistent in finding help to claim the
Sahara and seems as if they will not quit because they have come too far to
stop now. Other than supporting the United States in fighting terrorism the
relation between the West and Morocco was a focus on new trade, investment and
tourism. Although there was a general rise of anti-Americanism in Morocco and
other Arab countries because Americans had issues with Afghanistan and Iraq. Morocco
was courageous enough because they still tried to build stronger and friendly
relations. Regardless that Morocco was not in agreement with their neighbors
they clearly showed their support to the West since they did not agree with
violence and terrorism.
