Spain, Morocco hold talks
2002-07-21 13:41
Madrid - Spain and Morocco are set to hold high-level reconciliation talks on patching up relations after being persuaded by the United States to step back from a dispute over the uninhabited islet of Perejil.
Newly-appointed Spanish Foreign Minister Ana Palacio is due to meet her Moroccan counterpart Mohamed Benaissa on Monday in a symbolic encounter in the Moroccan capital Rabat during which both sides will try to draw a line under a period of bitter mistrust and begin to address common areas of concern.
Spain completed on Saturday night the withdrawal of its troops from Perejil, the island just six km from Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta, shortly after a US-brokered deal between Spain and Morocco.
The operation was completed in 90 minutes, officials said.
Morocco claims sovereignty over Perejil - a tiny rock islet it calls Leila - and 10 days ago sent troops there, only to be ousted without a shot being fired by Spanish troops.
Relief
US Secretary of State Colin Powell, who pushed for a swift end to the row between the two US allies in an intense series of telephone negotiations, said the deal could be the starting point for better relations between the Mediterranean neighbours.
Although their proximity and trade ties mean they are key partners, the dispute is the latest in a long series between Spain and Morocco who have squabbled over immigration, fishing rights, oil exploration and the future of Western Sahara.
Morocco also has designs on the Spanish North African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, which Spain has consistently said are not up for negotiation.
Spanish newspaper editorials reflected relief that the situation had been been brought to a quick close.
"Finally diplomacy saved an absurd situation, of the same kind as the errors on both sides in the past few months, and in which policy on the Spanish side has not been what we might expect from a country that brags of its weight on the international stage," said left-leaning El Pais in an editorial.
Right-wing daily ABC, while defending the actions of the government in the dispute, agreed on the importance of normalising the relationship of the neighbours.
"The solution agreed should serve as a basis for future steps which contribute to re-establishing relations, the deterioration of which did not benefit anyone," it said.
'Victory for neither'
Perejil's only use to date has been by local Moroccans to graze goats and by drug smugglers to stash cannabis resin, while forces from both countries have shared its policing.
Morocco's official MAP news agency, which usually reflects the government's line on diplomatic issues, hailed the deal as a victory and said the accord put an end to the "Spanish occupation" of the islet.
"(The accord) strengthened Morocco's position because it put as a precondition for dialogue, the immediate withdrawal of the invading forces, which was obtained in the end," it said.
Spain's newly-appointed Interior Minister Angel Acebes told newspaper the deal could not be seen as a victory for either side - setting a conciliatory tone which has been notably lacking in most recent exchanges between the two countries.
"With an agreement of this type, both countries benefit equally. Overcoming this crisis is as good for Spain as it is for Morocco," he said.