Remarks by Morocco’s King Mohammed VI to the 67th Session of the UN General Assembly
AllAfrica.com/Magreb Arab Press/UN News Centre (United Nations/New York, NY, Sept. 28, 2012) — HM King Mohammed VI underscored Morocco’s commitment to ensuring the preservation of Mali’s unity and territorial integrity, in remarks delivered to the 67th session of the UN General Assembly.
“I should like to reiterate to our brothers in Mali Morocco’s commitment to continue to provide them with aid and active support for the success of the political process, and the preservation of their country’s national unity and territorial integrity,” the Sovereign said in a speech read in New York Friday by HRH Prince Moulay Rachid.
“During the past year, the situation has seriously deteriorated in Africa, and more particularly in the Sahel and Sahara region, due to criminal, terrorist and separatist activism which now threatens the stability of the countries concerned.
“The sister nation, the Republic of Mali, is confronted with a situation which threatens the country as well as its national unity and territorial integrity,” said HM the King. “Despite the sincere efforts exerted by countries in the region, including Morocco and the Economic Community of West African States, the contribution of the United Nations is needed in order to achieve national consensus, overcome the political crisis and confront separatist activism in the north. Only an independent, focused effort on the part of the United Nations can help achieve those objectives.
HM the King said, “Morocco commends the notable progress made in several parts of Africa, especially in the sister nations Côte d’Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, towards the promotion of national reconciliation and a return to political normalcy. Moreover, Morocco reiterates its firm commitment to pursuing cooperation and solidarity programs with various African sister nations, using efficient, dynamic approaches to South-South cooperation for the benefit of African citizens.
To the nations of the UN General Assembly, he noted that “Sweeping changes are affecting today’s international arena. They include, in particular, a protracted global economic crisis — which has various implications and consequences — and a growing number of hotbeds of tension, political disputes and armed conflicts, as well as complex global challenges which exceed the capabilities of individual states, such as the achievement of sustainable development, the protection of the environment, respect for human rights, and the fight against the growing scourge of international terrorism and all forms of organized crime.
“Given current changes in the world, we, the Member States, ought to provide the United Nations Organization with the means it needs to tackle challenges. To this end, we have to expand the scope of the Organization’s action and revitalize its approach while preserving its principles and objectives, so as to make it an active player in effective political governance and an instrument for equitable economic governance.
“The Kingdom of Morocco fully backs your decision to give special importance to resolving disputes by peaceful means. My country applauds the General Assembly’s decision to make the consolidation of this foremost principle in the United Nations Charter the key objective of the current session. Achieving international peace and security remains the core mission entrusted to the United Nations. The tens of thousands of UN peacekeepers serving across the world to protect civilians and bring about the right conditions for political dialogue between the parties concerned clearly attest to the vital role played by our Organization in this domain.
“The Kingdom of Morocco takes pride in being one of the first States to have contributed to peacekeeping operations under the UN banner. So far, my country has sent more than 50,000 members of the Royal Armed Forces around the world to serve the lofty objectives of the United Nations. Morocco pledges to pursue its contributions to crisis management and will support efforts to promote preventive diplomacy.
HM the King said, “The experience gained by the United Nations in conflict-affected countries points to the importance of securing smooth, systematic transition from peace restoration to peace consolidation. This requires, above all, that the pressing needs of the current crucial juncture be met. Otherwise, the threat of a return of violence and partition will continue to hang over the countries — even the regions — concerned.
“The changes witnessed in the Arab region reflect the will of the peoples involved to build democratic societies where human rights are respected, and where citizens enjoy equal opportunities and a dignified life. The peoples in the sister nations Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Yemen have ushered in a new era and made much headway towards democratic transition, despite a complex, troubled political environment, a fact which makes it incumbent on the international community to provide support and assistance to these countries to lift the constraints they face.
“On the other hand,” HM the King said, “it is most regrettable that the Syrian people are each day paying the blood price for their freedom. They yearn for the kind of democratic change that would enable each component of the Syrian population to contribute to achieving the desired change.
“Morocco which, as the only Arab country sitting on the Security Council, has significantly contributed to mobilizing international support for the Arab League’s initiatives and resolutions, calls for concerted efforts and decisive action to compel the Syrian regime to put an end to the violence. It also calls for a political transition process which would allow for the full spectrum of opinions to be heard, the aspirations of the Syrian people to be fulfilled, and Syria’s national unity and territorial integrity as well as stability in the entire region to be guaranteed.
“At the same time, it is necessary to raise the financial resources required to meet the needs of refugees in neighboring countries and those of internally displaced persons, as well as to ease the suffering of our Syrian brothers and put an end to their tragedy. In this regard, Morocco continues to show its solidarity by providing medical services on a daily basis to Syrian refugees in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.”
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[...] La repubblica del Mali sorella è in presa con eventi che mettono nel pericolo la sua integrità ter… Nonostante gli sforzi sinceri che fanno gli stati della regione, cui il Marocco, come pure la Comunità economica degli stati dell’Africa dell’Ovest, il contributo delle Nazioni Unite rimane necessario per creare un consenso nazionale, che permette di superare la crisi politica e affrontare la spinta separatista nel Nord. Di qui l’imperativo di uno sforzo concentrato ed indipendente da parte della nostra organizzazione. A questo proposito, tengo a ribadire ai nostri fratelli del Mali l’impegno del Marocco da continuare a fornire loro aiuto e sostegno efficace per fare giungere il processo politico e garantire la preservazione della loro unità nazionale e l’integrità territoriale del loro paese. [...]