FOM Newsletter November 2002
Morocco Week in Review November 9 2002 

RABAT, Nov. 05 - The Muslim fasting month of Ramadan will start on Wednesday in Morocco, the Endowments and Islamic Affairs department announced on Tuesday. Ramadan is the month on the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food, drink and other sensual pleasures from break of dawn to sunset. The fast is performed to learn discipline, self-restraint and generosity, while obeying God's commandments. Fasting (along with the declaration of faith, daily prayers, charity, and pilgrimage to Mecca) is one of the "five pillars" of Islam. Because Ramadan is a lunar month, it begins about eleven days earlier each year.

RABAT, Nov 6 (Reuters) - The World Bank sees education as the main challenge facing the new Moroccan government to be appointed this week, a senior bank official said on Wednesday. "If we had to pick one sector where we'd like things to speed up, that would be education," said Theodore Ahlers, Washington-based country manager for the Maghreb region.  The new cabinet formed by Prime minister-designate Driss Jettout is widely expected to be announced on Thursday. While acknowledging that efforts have been made in recent years to fight illiteracy and improve education in remote rural areas, the World Bank says the North African kingdom still has a lot to do to be at par with other North African countries. Nearly half of Morocco's 30-million people are illiterate and 20 percent of the population lives under the poverty line on less than a dollar a day, up 50 percent from 1991. Less than 15 percent of women in rural areas know how to read and write. Ahlers told reporters that sustained, strong economic growth was the only engine capable to drive the fight against poverty. Morocco's $33-billion agriculture-based economy has grown at an average 2.0 percent per year in the past decade. The World Bank says that a 6.0 percent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annual growth was needed just to cut unemployment. It stands officially at around 10 percent, but at more than 20 percent in urban areas, according to World Bank figures. The World Bank opened a bureau in Rabat in 1998. Ahlers, who has held regional responsibility over Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia and Malta forjust one month was on a familiarisation visit coinciding with the opening of a public information centre and a new Web site.

MARRAKESH, Nov.4 - US rap star Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, aka Puff Daddy, who celebrated over the week end with 300 guests his 33rd birthday said he is impressed by the true image of Morocco as an open country.  The US rapper who chose to fete his birthday in Moroccan style told a press conference he had no preconceived ideas of Morocco, a country reputed for its tolerance, openness and stability.  Guests, flown to Marrakech from New York and Paris, included Naomi Campbell, Ivana Trump, Gerard Depardieu, Joey Star, Chris Tucker and Nicole Kidman.  Moroccan-born French comic, Jamal Debbouze, who was behind the initiative with the Moroccan tourism promotion office (ONMT) said P. Diddy was hesitating between Morocco and Saint-Domingo. "I called him to say that Morocco is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and that he should absolutely visit it".

Amman Summit: Rise in Women in Parliament, a Moroccan Experience that must be generalized in Arab states

Participants to the Amman Summit of Arab Women said women's access to parliament, a model experience in Morocco, must be generalized in the Arab states.  Participants granted a particular interest to the speech delivered on Sunday by Princess Lalla Meryem at the opening of the summit, wherein she stressed that Morocco, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, made of women's participation a major goal.  Thirty-five women won seats in the Moroccan 325-member House of Representative during last September 27 legislative elections, a record in the Arab world.  In her speech, the princess called for the setting up of an organization for the empowerment of Arab women and promoting their contribution to social development. "The juncture the Arab world is going through incites us to set up an organization of Arab women, as a fundamental instrument for the elaboration of common strategies to promote women's condition," the princess said. Queen Rania of Jordan pledged a new status for Arab women, especially through their participation in economic and social activities. She called Arab women to take part in the development of their countries and fight illiteracy and discrimination on the basis of sex, deploring that "only 4% of Arab women have access to the internet." It is undoubtedly the lowest rate in the world," she said. Egyptian first lady, Suzanne Mubarak, called for gender equality in employment, saying the creation of an organization of Arab women will contribute to the empowerment of Arab women and the development of the Arab world.

The first lady of Lebanon, Andre Lahoud, said the challenges facing Arab women cannot be taken without unifying ranks and acting by priority. Spouse of the Sudanese president, Fatma Al-Bashir, said the Arab woman must play its role fully in promoting the Arab culture and the Islamic values, adding that "Arab women can contribute to achieving the aspirations of the Arab and Islamic peoples." Secretary General of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, said the fact that Arab women are still on the margin of society is an argument for those who criticize Arab states, deploring Arab women's weak participation in the political life. Arab culture and values are no obstacle to the evolution of society and women empowerment, he said.

Manager of Morocco's Mediterranean cinema festival of Tetuan has signed a twinning agreement with head of the France's Mediterranean cinema festival of Montpellier, held October 25 through November 2. Besides instituting cooperation with the French festival, the Moroccan festival manager also took advantage of his presence in Montpellier to announce that the 12th Tetuan festival will be held from March 28 through April 4. In a brochure he distributed to participants, the festival promoter explains that the event will be "open to the youth, engrained in modernity and inspired from a Mediterranean imagined, dreamed and built by the magic of cinema." The Tetuan festival will feature a special retrospective of "Colonial Cinema: Morocco seen by the Spanish motion picture." Last September, a similar twinning agreement was signed with the Alexandria festival, providing for exchange of visits, expertise and data. The two Arab festivals managers will be endeavoring, under the agreement, to develop a sort of pool or union of Arab cinema festivals.

RABAT, Nov.07 - Morocco and the United Sates are optimistic about the evolution of their bilateral relations, particularly in economic and commercial fields, Morocco's outgoing foreign affairs and cooperation minister, Mohammed Benaissa, said. After a meeting with US under-secretary of state of political affairs, Marc Grossman, currently on a visit to Morocco, Benaissa told MAP news agency he conferred with the US official on bilateral cooperation, especially the free trade agreement, which was at the center of the talks. The Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the Iraq issue were also discussed at the meeting, attended by Moroccan state secretary of foreign affairs and cooperation, Taib Fassi Fihri, and US ambassador to Rabat, Margaret Tutwiler.  Benaissa described the talks as "frank and clear". "We debated the different viewpoints, and I think we see things in a realistic way," Benaissa said, adding "we are waiting for the decision of the Security Council on the Iraqi issue."  The US official's visit to Morocco is the last leg of a tour that took him to Greece, Tunisia and Algeria.

RABAT, Nov.06 - US Secretary of Trade, Don Evans, will be visiting Morocco November 11, US diplomatic sources in Rabat said. During his stay, Evans will review with Moroccan officials trade relations between Morocco and the United States. The two countries had announced last April a decision to conclude a free trade agreement. Early this month, US trade representative, Robert Zoellick officially notified to the congress that free-trade negotiations between Morocco and the USA are scheduled to start this year

http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm 

RABAT, Nov.7 (MAP)- H.M. King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid, appointed this Thursday afternoon at the throne hall of the Royal Palace in Rabat, the new government proposed by prime minister, Driss Jettou.  Jettou, who does not belong to any political party, was appointed last October 9 following the legislative elections of September 27. The new government comprises 39 members (including the prime minister). In addition to the USFP and the Istiqlal parties which have eight ministers .each in the government, the line-up includes ministers from the National Rally of Independents (RNI/center-right), the National Popular Movement (MNP/berberist), the Popular Movement (MP/Berberist) and the Party for Progress and Socialism (PPS/former communist party). The new government includes three women: Nouzha Chekrouni, who was appointed minister delegated at the ministry of foreign affairs and cooperation in charge of Moroccans settled abroad, Yasmina Baddou, Secretary of state to the minister of employment, social affairs and solidarity in charge of family, solidarity and social action and Najima Rhozali, Secretary of state to the minister of national education and youth in charge of literacy and non-formal education.

Here follows the list of the new government:
- Mr. Driss Jettou, Prime Minister
- Mr. Abbas El Fassi, Minister of State (without portfolio)
- Mr. Mohamed Benaissa, Minister of foreign affairs and cooperation
- Mr. Al Mustapha Sahel, Minister of the interior
- Mr. Mohamed Bouzoubaa, Minister of justice
- Mr. Ahmed Toufiq, Minister of Habous and Islamic Affairs
- Mr. Mohamed El Yazghi, Minister of territory development, water and environment
- Mr. Fathallah Oulaalou, Minister of finance and privatization
- Mr. Abdessadek Rabiah, Secretary general of the government
- Mr. Mohand Laenser, Minister of agriculture and rural development
- Mr. Mustapha Mansouri, Minister of employment, social affairs andsolidarity
- Mr. Habib El Malki, Minister of national education and youth
- Mr. Khalid Alioua, Minister of higher education and scientific research
- Mr. Najib Zerouali, Minister in charge of modernizing public sectors
- Mr. Mohamed Achaari, Ministre of Culture
- Mr. Mohamed Aujjar, Minister of human rights
- Mr. M'hammed Khalifa, Minister of handicraft and social economy
- Mr. Karim Ghellab, Minister of equipment and transport
- Mr. Rachid Talbi El Alami, Minister of industry, trade and telecommunications
- Mr. Adil Douiri, Minister of tourism
- Mr. Mohamed Cheikh Biadillah, Minister of health
- Mr. Mohamed Taieb Rhafes, Minister of sea fisheries
- Mr. Mohamed Saad El Alami, Minister of relations with the parliament
- Mr. Mohmed Boutaleb, Minister of energy and mining
- Mr. Nabil Benabdallah, Minister of communication, spokesman of the government
- Mr. Mustapha Mechahouri, Minister of foreign trade
- Mr. Abderrahman Sbai, Minister, delegated to the prime minister, in chargeof the national defense administration
- Mr. Taieb El Fassi Fihri, Minister delegated for foreign affairs and cooperation
- Mrs. Nouzha Chekrouni, Minister delegated at the ministry of foreign affairs and cooperation in charge of Moroccans settled abroad
- Mr. Fouad Ali Himma, Minister delegated for the interior
- Mr. Omar Fassi Fihri, Minister delegated to the minister of higher education and scientific research in charge of scientific research
- Mr. Abderazzak El Mossadeq, Minister delegated to the Prime Minister in charge of economic and general affairs and upgrading the economy
- Mr. Ahmed Toufiq Hjira, Minister delegated to the Prime minister in charge of housing and urbanism
- Mr. Abdelkébir Zahoud, Secretary of state to the minister of territory development, water and environment in charge of water
- Mr. M'hammed El Morabit, Secretary of state to the minister of territory development, water and environment in charge of environment
- Mrs Yasmina Baddou, Secretary of state to the minister of employment, social affairs and solidarity in charge of family, solidarity and social action
- Mr. Said Oulbacha, Secretary of state to the minister of employment, social affairs and solidarity in charge of vocational training
- Mrs Najima Rhozali, Secretary of state to the minister of national education and youth in charge of literacy and non-formal education
- Mr. Mohamed El Gahs, Secretary of state to the minister of national education and youth, in charge of youth.

RABAT, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Morocco's King Mohammed named a new government on Thursday headed by former interior minister Driss Jettou with a mandate to embark on quick economic and social reforms in the Muslim North African nation.  The government was appointed four weeks after the monarch named Jettou prime minister following parliamentary elections on September 27 that gave the ruling socialists a narrow victory. Finance Minister Fathallah Oualalou and Foreign Minister Mohamed Benaissa kept their portfolios, according to the government list provided by the official MAP news agency.  The nomination of Jettou, 57, a technocrat and successful businessman with no party affiliation, had surprised many in political circles but was welcomed by the business community. Political sources said the fact it took him a month to present a cabinet to the king indicated that negotiations among leading political parties were tough.  The new cabinet of 32 ministers, up from 25 in the outgoing government of socialist Abderrahmane el Youssoufi, seemed to reflect a cautious balance among mainstream political forces. Youssoufi's Socialist Union of Popular Forces (UFSP) won the most seats of any party in the September polls. It took 50 of the 325 parliamentary seats, just ahead of its main partner in the outgoing coalition, the nationalist Istiqlal with 48 seats. However, the main winner of the elections was a moderate Islamist movement, the Justice and Development Party (PJD), which came in a third place with 42 seats. The PJD, which political sources said was not approached by Jettou for cabinet jobs, was not represented in the government. Seven ministers kept their portfolios, including Defence Minister Abderrahmane Sbai. At least three others changed jobs, including Istiqlal leader Abbas el Fassi. From labour minister he became State Minister without portfolio. Minister in charge of relations with parliament Mohamed Bouzoubaa, of USFP, transferred to the Justice Ministry. King Mohammed, who ascended the throne in 1999 and has forged a reputation as a moderniser of the monarchy, said last month the new government would have to implement rapid economic reforms to eradicate growing poverty and unemployment. Morocco's agriculture-based $36-billion economy has struggled to grow steadily in the past decade. Illiteracy affects nearly half of the 30-million population. One Moroccan in five lives under the poverty line on less than one dollar a day. ((Gilles Trequesser, Rabat newsroom, +212-37 720065 fax +212-37 722499, rabat.newsroom@reuters.com ))

RABAT, Nov 8 (Reuters) - "New blood, but not enough", that's how business daily L'Economiste summed up its reaction on Friday to Morocco's new government headed by technocrat Driss Jettou. Several business leaders echoed the newspaper's sceptical comment following the announcement on Thursday of the new cabinet, which King Mohammed mandated to implement quick economic and social reforms in the Muslim North African nation.  The new government needs to spur economic growth if it is to make inroads into jobless queues in a country where urban unemployment stands at over 17 percent. The CGEM employers' group welcomed Jettou's team, which was announced a month after his appointment following parliamentary elections in September that gave the outgoing ruling socialists a narrow victory. "(We look at) the new government with optimism, especially since it's led by Jettou, an expert on economic issues," CGEM's head Hassan Chami told state television TVM. That optimism was not shared by others. "We feel let down. There has been no real change. Some faces, which did not excel themselves in previous governments, have re-emerged," a senior financial analyst said. Nearly half the members of the outgoing government stayed in the new team of 38 senior and junior ministers, some changing portfolios. This means "political motives won, hands down, over economic priorities", said the head of one of Morocco's largest private firms, who did not want to be identified. "The government is too large: 28 to 30 members would have been more than enough. Some portfolios have been created just to satisfy a particular (political) party," he added. 

THREE MUSKETEERS

Businessmen had hoped the government would be "a tight commando-style team". "I'm sceptical about the capacity of this government to meet the long list of challenges, mainly on the social front, which requires immediate attention," the CEO said. With a population of 30 million, Morocco GDP per capita stands at $1,200 per year. Poverty affects more than 20 percent of the population. Official figures show a jobless rate of 17.1 percent in urban areas and an illiteracy rate of more than 50 percent. The outgoing Socialist-led government has been criticised for lack of imagination in creating jobs and failure to ensure steady economic growth. Economic growth over the last decade stood at an annual average 2.0 percent, far below the 6.0 percent required to absorb the 180,000 job seekers who enter the job market each year. Finance ministry officials expect the economic growth in 2003 to stand at 4.5 percent, from a projected 4.4 percent in 2002 and 6.5 percent in 2001. Inflation remains under control: It stood at 0.6 percent in 2001 and is forecast to reach 2.0 percent in 2002. The financial analyst said Jettou's government should be allowed enough time to outline its programme. Jettou named three technocrats to key portfolios, including tourism, economic restructuring and equipment, while he kept Finance Minister Fathallah Oualalou in his job. Adil Douiri, joint-head of merchant bank CFG Group, who is in his late 30's, was appointed Tourism Minister, Abderrazak El Mossadeq, 54, head of the Customs authority since 1998, became Minister-Delegate in charge of General Economic Affairs and Economic Restructuring, and the head of state railways board ONCF, Karim Ghellab, 36, is Transport and Equipment Minister. "El Mossadeq, Ghellab and Douiri will be the economy's three musketeers against more than 30 heavyweights in the government who think purely in political terms," a fund manager said. The head of the private firm said the three men were likely to inject a new style in the government's work. "We hope they become the locomotive of this government. These (three) ministers dare to dare, let's hope conservative resistance, in abundance in  the government, will not topple them," he said.

((Rabat newsroom, +212-37 720065 fax +212-37 722499, rabat.newsroom@reuters.com ))

RABAT, Nov.8 - H.M. King Mohammed VI, who was accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid, launched this Friday afternoon the 5th nationwide solidarity campaign held under the theme "for a greater integration of the youth". The sovereign then chaired the signing ceremony of six partnership conventions between the foundation and non-governmental organizations. The first convention concluded with "Dar Attalib" (student house) provides for the construction and equipment of a dormitory for rural female students. The project is set to cost 2.6 million DH (US$ 0.26 million). The foundation will also finance a center for disabled people in Safi that will be offering rehabilitation services. The Foundation will contribute 5 million DH (US$ 0.5 Mln) and local authorities will provide the remaining 3 million DH (0.3 Mln).  A third convention was signed between the Foundation and the agency for the promotion and development of the northern regions to carry out a program worth 63 million DH (US$ 6.3 Mln). Under another convention signed between the foundation, the commune of Ben M'Sik (Casablanca) and a group of non-governmental organizations, the three partners will conduct cultural and sports projects for the benefit of 23 associations. The program is worth 12 million DH (US$ 1.2 Mln). The foundation also concluded with the state-owned national company of construction and equipment (SNEC) a convention for a project worth 192 million DH (US$ 19.2 Mln), to which the foundation will be contributing 40 million DH (US$ 4 Mln) for the construction of lodgings for inhabitants of a shantytown in a Rabat neighborhood. The Foundation will further contribute 7 million DH (US$ 0.7 Mln) for the construction of a ward to treat burnt people at Ibn Rochd hospital in Casablanca. The project is worth 19 million DH (US$ 1.9 Mln). The sovereign then granted distinctions to several actors of the civil society. The solidarity medal was granted to Princess Lalla Fatima Zohra - chairwoman of the national union of Moroccan women, Abderrahim Harrouchi - chairman of Affak association, Azza Sellami- regional chairwoman of the Moroccan league of children protection in Laayoune, Mohamed Khadiri- chairwoman of the Moroccan association of handicapped persons and Amina Slaoui -vice-chairwoman of the association. H.M. the king also handed donations to several associations, including the Moroccan association of support and assistance to handicapped persons, the Oum Al Banin association supporting mothers and children in a precarious situation and the "Al Mahabba oual Ikhlass" association supporting orphans.

WASHINGTON, Nov.08 - The conclusion of a free trade agreement between Morocco and the USA will spur trade exchanges between the two countries, US trade secretary, Don Evans, said Thursday. The US official, who will start Monday a tour in Africa, said the projected accord will also help consolidate economic and commercial ties between Morocco and USA and will positively impact economic growth. the free trade agreement will be at the center of talks with Moroccan officials, Don Evans said at a conference at the US state department on development and growth in Africa. US Secretary of Trade, Don Evans, will be visiting Morocco November 11, for talks with Moroccan officials on trade relations between Morocco and the United States. The two countries had announced last April a decision to conclude a free trade agreement.  early this month, US trade representative, Robert Zoellick officially notified to the congress that free-trade negotiations between Morocco and the USA are scheduled to start this year. Currently, the United States is party to free trade agreements with only four countries - Canada and Mexico, partners in the North American Free Trade Agreement, and Israel and Jordan.

RABAT, Nov.08 - DNA tests have confirmed that a Moroccan mule did give birth to a foal end of August in a small hamlet in the region of Oulmes, 80 kilometers away from Fez. Veterinary experts say the foal's father was a donkey and its mother a true mule. The discovery defies scientific wisdom because mules are supposed tobe sterile. Mules are hybrids - a cross between two species - in this case, the horse and the donkey. They are almost always unable to breed because their genetic make-up is so unusual.  Veterinarians from the Society for the Protection of Animals of North Africa (Spana) visited the animal and conducted tests which confirmed that the mule is the mother. "The blood results from the foal indicate that the father was a donkey, a veterinary told the BBC  "It shows that the foal inherited a mixture of horse and donkey chromosomes via the mother's ovum." Some experts are still skeptical about the birth. John Pycock, a specialist in equine reproduction at the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, told the British TV channel such a birth would be "astounding."

MARRAKESH, Nov.4 - Moroccan comic, Jamal Debbouze, sponsor of the Marrakesh cinema studios, said the project will be one of the biggest in Africa and among the best studios in the world. The Moroccan humorist told a press conference on Sunday the project will be financed by Moroccan and foreign investors. Everything is ready, he said, we have completed all the administrative procedures and the funds are available. Hopefully, the studios will be opened in nine months, he added. Debbouze also announced that the project also includes a school to train cinema technicians and actors. The studios compound will be located some 14 km away from the ochre city (Marrakesh). Proud to "be bringing his own contribution to the development of his country", Debbouze said another movie in which he stars together with French Gerard Depardieu will be shot in Morocco.

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