Remarks With Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Saad-Eddine Al-Othmani After Their Meeting
Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Rabat, Morocco
February 26, 2012
FOREIGN MINISTER AL-OTHMANI: (In Arabic.)
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you so much, Minister, for the warm
words and the gracious welcome. It is wonderful to be back in Rabat. So
much has changed since my last visit to Morocco two years ago, but what
has not changed is our commitment to our partnership and friendship,
which goes back to 1777 when Morocco became the very first country to
recognize our new nation. And the United States and Morocco have been
allies and partners ever since. We collaborate on everything from trade
and economic development to joint military exercises and
counterterrorism efforts. So we had a long agenda today, and I would
very much look forward to continuing our conversation in Washington when
the minister is able to come.
I want to say a few words about two issues in particular that are of
great concern to the American and Moroccan people. First, Syria. I thank
the foreign minister for the important role that Morocco has played,
first within the Arab League and second within the Security Council.
Morocco is in a unique position to help shape the international
community’s efforts, and it is imperative that we continue working
today. I visited with the minister first in London about Syria. And then
in Tunis, we attended together the Friends of Syria meeting.
And I want to reiterate my message to those Syrians who still support
Assad, especially members of the Syrian military and business
community: The longer you support the regime’s campaign of violence
against your brothers and sisters, the more it will stain your honor. If
you refuse, however, to prop up the regime or take part in attacks on
your fellow citizens, your countrymen and women will hail you as heroes.
Assad would have the Syrian people believe that it is only terrorists
and extremists standing against the regime, but that is wrong. So many
Syrians are suffering under this relentless shelling. All Syrians should
be working together to seek a better future. That is what we hope for
the Syrian people. That is what Morocco has led us in the international
community in trying to achieve.
There are three areas where concrete action is needed: providing
immediate humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people, increasing the
pressure on the regime to assault its own brutal assault – to stop its
brutal assault on its own people, and helping to prepare for a
democratic transition. And I look forward to working closely with the
foreign minister on all of these issues in the days ahead.
And what’s so exciting about being here in Morocco is that Morocco
stands as an example, as a model of what can be achieved. Moroccans are
strengthening their own democracy. Young people are having a say in
their own future. His Majesty King Mohammed VI has begun the process of
reform. We see women’s rights protected and expanded, a more transparent
and accountable government, establishing the Arab world’s very first
truth commission on human rights.
So Mr. Minister, on behalf of my government, let me congratulate your
government and His Majesty on the successful constitutional referendum
and parliamentary elections that occurred during this momentous last
year. The Moroccan constitution provides for an independent judiciary.
It contains new protections for freedom of thought, expression, and
other universal rights. I was just briefed by the new speaker of the
parliament, who advised me that Morocco now has more women in public
office than any other Arab country. And frankly, the percentage is as
good as we have in our own country in terms of women’s representation in
the parliament.
But Morocco understands, as does the United States, that democratic
reform takes constant effort and unending attention. It has to lead to
the institutionalizing of democratic habits and practices, and of course
to tangible improvements for the Moroccan people. And we stand with the
government and people of Morocco as they continue this absolutely
historic effort.
Let me close with a word about the Western Sahara. The United States
continues to support efforts to find a peaceful, sustainable, mutually
agreed upon solution to that conflict. U.S. policy toward the Western
Sahara has remained constant for many years. We have made clear that
Morocco’s autonomy plan is serious, realistic, and credible, and that it
represents a potential approach that could satisfy the aspirations of
the people in the Western Sahara to run their own affairs in peace and
dignity. And we continue to support the negotiations carried out by the
United Nations, and encourage all parties to work toward a resolution.
So again, Minister, thank you for hosting me and my delegation here
today, and I look forward to working closely with you as we continue to
move our countries toward even more productive partnership and
friendship. Thank you, sir.
FOREIGN MINISTER AL-OTHMANI: Thank you. Thank you very much.
QUESTION: (In Arabic.)
SECRETARY CLINTON: No. Our policy on Western Sahara has not
changed. We continue to (inaudible) efforts to find a peaceful,
sustainable, and mutually agreed solution to the conflict that respects
the fundamental human rights of all parties. We commend the UN envoy,
Mr. Ross, for his continued leadership of the negotiating process. And
we know that Morocco’s newly elected and appointed government leaders
are fully engaged in pushing this process forward to an effective
resolution. And as I said in my remarks, we think Morocco’s autonomy
plan is serious, credible, and realistic.
And we also are pleased to see positive actions like Morocco and
Algeria’s biannual intergovernmental meetings. They are a step in the
right direction. We want to see both countries expand cooperation and
constructive dialogue. That is the message I delivered in Algeria at the
highest levels of the Algerian Government. I shared that with the
meetings I had today here in Morocco because I think it’s, in today’s
world, very much in the interests of Morocco and Algeria to work
together on as many areas of agreement as possible. It’s good for the
two countries, it’s good for the Maghreb, it would be good for economic
development, it would be good for security, so we want to see that kind
of continued progress between Algeria and Morocco.
QUESTION: (Inaudible) questions for you, Mrs. Secretary of
State. First one is: What’s going to be of the Moroccan prisoners that
are still held in Guantanamo Bay? And the second one is: Do you think
that the political changes that Morocco has undergone in the recent
months meet the United States’s criteria of democracy and political
reforms?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, as to the first question, we remain
in constant consultation with the government officials here in Morocco,
and we are continuing to discuss that matter with them.
In regard to your second question, we are very pleased at the
progress we have seen in Morocco. We applaud the millions of Moroccans
who participated in last November’s parliamentary elections. It was
exciting to see Moroccan men and women take part in this democratic
process. And we are ready to work, as I enjoyed today, with the new
government, with the new parliament, because there’s no denying Morocco
has made significant progress along the path of democratic reform, and
not only with an election, because after all, one election is not
democracy. It takes a lot of hard work to establish a democracy. But the
significant constitutional reform that has gone on under the leadership
of His Majesty King Mohammed VI has led to the voters of Morocco
approving a constitutional referendum. And the building blocks are all
in place.
We understand. We’ve been at the business of democracy for 236 years.
And we know how hard it is, and it does not happen overnight. It takes
time and it takes the participation of every Moroccan. It doesn’t end
when the votes are counted. It doesn’t end when the winners are
announced, it’s not a spectator sport – for some, but not for others.
Everyone has to be involved, and we think that the Moroccan experience
is a very good model for others who are also seeking to have their own
democratic reforms.
QUESTION: Madam Secretary, if I may. The – as you know, the
trial of the foreign and Egyptian NGOs (inaudible) apparently, and was
postponed for two months. What happens to the Americans who have been at
the Embassy now for several weeks? And more broadly, what does it say
about the political transition underway in Egypt, about relations with
the United States, and the question of American military aid? Thank you.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, Steve, we are evaluating the outcomes
of the legal proceedings today. We’ll have more to say after we have
finished that analysis and gathered as much information as possible,
because you’re right, it was a challenging procedure. But I will wait to
comment further until I am fully briefed and have reached my own
understanding of what was and was not decided today.
QUESTION: I have two final questions. First question is that
(inaudible) in London and Tunisia and Algeria (inaudible), and what’s
going (inaudible) from this region to bring (inaudible) back to Syria?
And the second question is: What kind of (inaudible) could you
(inaudible)? And the last one is: What (inaudible) U.S. presume to
(inaudible) and bring more (inaudible)?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, those are three good questions.
(Laughter.) With respect to the first question, Morocco and the United
States are already cooperating very closely together, as we have done on
many issues between ourselves but now are doing in the Security
Council. Morocco provided the leadership for the resolution that was
presented. Morocco has done a great deal to reach out and consult with
other countries about the way forward. So we are working very closely
together, and I think the minister and I are committed to looking for
solutions.
Secondly, we’ve discussed at length security in the Maghreb and the
Sahara, because we know that it’s difficult to develop the way you wish
to and have the kind of future that people in Morocco deserve if you
don’t have security. And so we already cooperate very closely, and we’re
looking to expand that cooperation. And we also believe we have to
bring in more countries to be part of the discussion – the Maghreb
countries, the (inaudible) countries. So we’ve been discussing ways we
might do that.
And finally on business and economic relations, everywhere I go in
the region and beyond, people ask me if they could have a free trade
agreement like Morocco and if they can have a Millennium Challenge grant
like Morocco. And I tell everyone, we did not give that to Morocco;
Morocco earned it. Morocco demonstrated what it takes to be in a free
trade agreement and to meet the very high standards of the Millennium
Challenge Corporation. So we discussed – the minister and I together and
over lunch ways that he and I, along with other officials and under the
work of the prime minister here and President Obama in our country,
encourage more investment and more business in Morocco. And we will take
steps to try to do that.
QUESTION: Madam Secretary, I just want to follow up on Steve’s
question, briefly. One is, do you know where the Americans are, or
where are they, why were they not in the courtroom this morning? And
does your answer to his question mean that there is no – there’s not yet
any implication for the American assistance, that you are going to
(inaudible) – that this decision to adjourn does not put that in
jeopardy?
Then in Syria, I’d just like get your thoughts on – why is this so
difficult? If it’s raining, you put up and umbrella. Why is – here you
have a situation in which civilians are being killed. There is no shield
or protection being offered to them.
And then lastly, on Afghanistan --
SECRETARY CLINTON: (Laughter.)
QUESTION: This not a good –
SECRETARY CLINTON: Why don’t we throw in Latin America and – (laughter).
QUESTION: Honestly.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Honestly (inaudible).
QUESTION: Well, I was only going to ask you two. Anyway,
Afghanistan, it’s been a bad week. There’s another incident today in
which some military trainers were injured. What is this – isn’t this a –
hasn’t this (inaudible) the entire view as mission there? And how
concerned are you about how things go forward? Thank you.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, if I can even remember all of your
questions, I’ll try to answer them briefly. With respect to Egypt, I’m
not going to add to what I’ve already answered because this is a fluid
situation and there are a lot of moving parts that have to fully
understand before I go any further than I have.
With respect to Syria, we have a very strong international group of
friends of the Syrian people, and we understand how challenging the
situation is when you have a government willing to shell their own
people with heavy artillery, use tanks against their own cities, destroy
homes, refuse to let the humanitarian workers in to remove bodies, to
provide medical care. These are the kinds of terrible actions that
deserve the condemnation of every country in the world. And we are
consulting closely with those who are looking for ways of alleviating
the suffering, first and foremost; of increasing the pressure on Assad
and the people around him, because we continue to believe that those
around Assad are quite concerned about the brutal attacks going on.
We’re appealing to members of the Syrian army to put the people of their
country first before a family or a political party. And we are pushing
hard for a plan that would lead to a political transition. We welcome
the help of those who are supporting the Syrian regime. We think that it
would be appropriate for them to use whatever influence they have to at
least get the humanitarian assistance in.
And finally on Afghanistan, Matt, look, we deeply regret the incident
that has led to these protests. We are condemning it in the strongest
possible terms, but we also believe that the violence must stop and the
hard work of trying to build a more peaceful, prosperous, secure
Afghanistan must continue.
QUESTION: (In Arabic.)
SECRETARY CLINTON: We certainly did discuss people to people
relations because we believe strongly that the relationship between the
American and the Moroccan people is the bedrock of our relationship.
Government officials like myself come and go, but the underlying
relationship between our people is what is enduring for now 235 years.
So we want to increase people to people exchanges, business exchanges.
There’s an excellent new program that we are very impressed by that we
helped to start along with Moroccan business and government leaders to
encourage entrepreneurship among Moroccans, particularly young people.
So there is a full range of such exchanges. Our ambassador and our
Embassy have such a list. But we’re always looking for new ideas, and I
would welcome any that any Moroccan might have.
Thank you.
