Quick Search
interesting links
- Wafin
- Morocco Board
- Moroccan American Community Center
- Minbar Achaab
- Maroc post
- Hespress
- Friends of Morocco
- Moroccan Society of Houston
- The Tangier American Legation Institute for Moroccan Studies
- Sefrioui-Badissy Foundation (SBF)
- Moroccan American Chamber of Commerce
- Moroccan Congress of USA
- Moroccan American Community in Chicago
- AMPA, Assoc. of Moroccan Professionals in America
- American Moroccan Association of North Texas
- Casablanca Chicago Association
- Le Citoyen Marocain
- Moroccan Charity
- Asso. of Moroccan Americans in North America
- Maghreb association of North America
Build a future based on empowering individuals, not ideologies By Fmr. Amb. Edward M. Gabriel
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton demonstrated exceptional diplomatic skill, political leadership, and vision for the future when she travelled to Morocco Nov. 2-3 to address the 6th annual Forum for the Future meeting of Middle East, North African, and G-8 industrialized nations. She presented a remarkable plan to translate President Barack Obama’s historic New Beginning speech in Cairo into concrete actions that improve relations among nations and bring meaningful change to people’s everyday lives.
Secretary Clinton unveiled a wide range of policy initiatives and appealed for leaders to unite in shaping a future “based on empowering individuals rather than promoting ideologies.” A key to progress, she urged, was “a constructive spirit” to overcome conflicts and recriminations of the past. To that end, Secretary Clinton reiterated US commitment to facilitating an Israeli-Palestinian peace, and also singled out the Western Sahara dispute, reaffirming longstanding US policy that supports autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty as the only realistic solution to end the 34-year-old conflict.
It was a masterful presentation, yet it quickly became clear that old ideologies and recriminations die hard. Even before her departure from Morocco, Secretary Clinton was sharply criticized for restating what has been US policy for three successive Administrations.
The Algerian press charged that she wasn’t speaking for the Administration and questioned her relationship with President Obama. The Algerian-backed rebel group Polisario Front accused Secretary Clinton of misstating US policy on the Sahara and over-praising Morocco for its unarguably impressive record of political reforms, social progress, and economic growth over the last decade.
So much for working in a constructive spirit to overcome past conflicts and recriminations.
Secretary Clinton has proven her mettle before in handling tough critics—and likely will again. The misrepresentations of fact and venomous tone of these attacks do a disservice to her, but the larger casualty is the public debate on the Western Sahara. The erroneous claims also undermine the efforts of UN Special Envoy for the Western Sahara Christopher Ross to resume earnest negotiations, which he has been trying to jump-start for almost a year.
I was U.S. Ambassador in Morocco at the time the present U.S. position on the Western Sahara was adopted, and I can confirm Secretary Clinton has her facts straight because I participated in the review process in late 1998-early 1999 that launched the policy during the presidency of Bill Clinton. Current US policy on Western Sahara is that “autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the only feasible solution to the Western Sahara dispute” and should be negotiated “within the UN-led framework.”
Secretary Clinton was right on the mark when she said in Morocco, “This is a plan that originated in the Clinton Administration. It was reaffirmed in the Bush Administration and it remains the policy of the United States in the Obama Administration. I don’t want anyone in the region or elsewhere to have any doubt about our policy, which remains the same.”
The US adopted the policy as the only realistic solution to ending the decades-long stalemate over Western Sahara, which continues to be a roadblock to regional cooperation to grow economies in North Africa, address security concerns including terrorism and trafficking, and create a pillar of stability in an unstable part of the world.
Failure to resolve the conflict also perpetuates the suffering of tens of thousands of refugees trapped for more than three decades in desert camps in Algeria, held hostage by Polisario leaders and a failed ideology willing to sacrifice a people’s future to score political points. That’s shameful.
Equally shameful is the Polisario using Mrs. Aminatou Haidar, a human rights activist and acknowledged advocate of the Polisario and Algeria’s separatist goals for Western Sahara, in what amounts to a publicity stunt this past weekend to draw criticism on Morocco and try to embarrass Secretary Clinton and the US. Upon Mrs. Haidar’s return to southern Morocco from the US, she refused to correctly fill out her customs entry form to match her Moroccan passport. She was refused entry, renounced her Moroccan nationality, returned to the Spanish Canary Islands, and is conducting a hunger strike to protest—what?—Morocco’s enforcement of air travel rules that all passengers must follow?
Thirty-four years is enough. It is long past time to stop the posturing and publicity stunts, and get serious about negotiating a realistic compromise solution to finally end the Western Sahara impasse. Let’s follow the wise advice Secretary Clinton offered to regional leaders at the Forum for the Future: “Build a future based on empowering individuals, rather than promoting ideologies.”
Edward M. Gabriel is former US Ambassador to Morocco (1997-2001) and currently advises the Government of Morocco.
Welcome to Washington Moroccan - American Club
Twenty years of community building, home of full of ideas, let put them in use ..
Featured Articles
Forum des organisations de jeunes by USAID Morocco
Time August 28 · 9:30pm - 11:30pm
Location Théâtre National Mohammed V
Dans le cadre du Forum des Organisations de Jeunes qui se tient du 22 au 28 août 2010 à Rabat, l’Agence Américaine pour le Développement International (USAID/Maroc) honorera, le 28 août au Théâtre National Mohammed V, des jeunes et des personnalités ayant contribué au développement de leurs secteurs respectifs, et offrira des trophées d’amitié maroco-américaine aux personnalités et aux associations de jeunes ayant œuvré de maniè...re remarquable à promouvoir l’amitié entre les peuples marocain et américain
Morocco on the road from Washington DC, USA to Laayoune, Morocco
The Washington Moroccan American Club Invites You to Participate in its Mobile Conference :
March / April 2011 USA & June / July 2011 Europe and Morocco
In Morocco, Visions of a Silicon Valley Campus, By Ursula Lindsey
Noureddine Mouaddib left Morocco to pursue his university studies in France over 30 years ago. He became a professor of computer science at the University of Nantes and a member of the French national council for higher education and research.
Defense Of Human Rights In Western Sahara-Morocco
Dear Senior Program Manager of Middle East and North Africa,
Katie Zoglin ,2325 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington D.C. 20515
Sport TV Show by El Muhajer about the International Symposium on "Moroccan Sportsmen of the world, history and current issues
Participants in this event will include national and foreign sports historians, retired and active Moroccan athletes, specialized journalists, and representatives of national federations of various sports.
CCME to organise an International Symposium on "Moroccan Sportsmen of the world, history and current issues
CCME to organise an International Symposium
The Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad (CCME) is organizing on 24 and 25 July 2010 in Casablanca the International Symposium on "Moroccan Sportsmen of the world, history and current issues”. Participants in this event include national and foreign sports historians, retired and active Moroccan athletes, specialized journalists, and representatives of national federations of various sports.
Morocco religious tolerance'
Morocco, 'a rare beacon of religious tolerance'- US paper says
Washington
Assaadi Family on 2M Les Marocains D'Amerique
L'Amérique est pour certains la destination de rêve, une deuxième patrie pour d'autres. Le pays de l'Oncle Sam est le pays d'accueil pour des millions de personnes de différentes origines et cultures. Parmi eux, des Marocains. «Les Marocains d'Amérique» est allé à leur rencontre. Dans ce volet, nous découvrirons les portraits de Nacir Assaadi member actif de Washington Moroccan Club
Hassan Samrhouni leading the Moroccan American Community by Alison Lake
Hassan Samrhouni: A bridge to Morocco
A Moroccan emigre and business owner, Hassan Samrhouni has been a good-will ambassador in Washington D.C. for two decades. “We try to empower our community and teach them they can do anything," he says.
Les Marocains D'Amerique
Les Marocains d'Amérique
L'Amérique est pour certains la destination de rêve, une deuxième patrie pour d'autres. Le pays de l'Oncle Sam est le pays d'accueil pour des millions de personnes de différentes origines et cultures. Parmi eux, des Marocains. «Les Marocains d'Amérique» est allé à leur rencontre. Dans ce volet, nous découvrirons les portraits de Hassan Samrhouni et Saïd Ouadghiri.
WMC 20 /20: Women's empowerment in Morocco by Norman L. Greene
A provocative and fast-moving four-hour discussion of women's empowerment in Morocco, including "past and projected legal reforms affecting women's rights and on how best to empower Moroccan women to achieve social, economic, and political equality," was held in two separate panels before a packed room at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, D.C. on March 17, 2010.
TOP TEN Reasons to Think of MOROCCO on Global Earth Day
Leading up to next week's 40th anniversary of Earth Day, the following are ten good reasons to keep Morocco in mind — and visit online or in person — to mark Global Earth Day.
It is my pleasure to extend congratulation to The Washington Moroccan American club, on the occasion of your 20th Anniversary. Mr. Andrian M. Fenty, Mayor, District of Columbia
As Mayor of the District of Columbia, it is my pleasure to extend congratulation to The Washington Moroccan American club, on the occasion of your 20th Anniversary.
Ambassador Mr. Aziz Mekouar note to Washington Moroccan Club
It is my great pleasure to congratulate the Washington Moroccan American Club (WMAC) on its twentieth Anniversary.
On the footsteps of Zemmouri by Driss El Yazami, CCME- WMC 20/20
The celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the Washington Moroccan American Club is an event in more ways than one. It owes its richness to the program prepared for the population of the U.S. capital, which reflects primarily the profound changes experienced by Morocco. On all fronts (gender, ethno-cultural pluralism, rule of law, etc...) Morocco has opted for the path of modernity and reform. The road is still long, but both Moroccan society and Moroccan government are forging their own history.
Happy Anniversary; with my best wishes for success in your initiative, which strengthens the position of those Moroccans living in the USA. HE Mohamed Ameur - WMC20
It is with great pleasure that I congratulate the "Washington Moroccan American Club" on the occasion of its 20thth Anniversary.
Les "Hommes Bleus" s'invitent à Washington -Par Nadia Hachimi-
Les "Hommes Bleus" s'invitent à Washington
Washington- La place historique de "Dupont Circle" au nord-ouest de Washington s'est transformée, jeudi, en une grande scène musicale, avec à l'honneur les "Hommes Bleus" et le patrimoine culturel des provinces du sud du Royaume. En effet, cette place a agréablement surpris ses habitués avec une prestation musicale inédite du groupe de Guedra "Mnat Azaouan", venu spécialement de la région de Guelmim-Assa pour célébrer le 20-ème anniversaire du Washington Moroccan Club (WMC).
Une rencontre à Washington met en exergue l'essor de la presse écrite au Maroc
Une rencontre à Washington met en exergue l'essor de la presse écrite au Maroc
Washington, 27/03/10 - Une rencontre sur le rôle des médias dans le développement du monde arabe, organisée vendredi à Washington, a mis en exergue l'essor que connaît la presse écrite au Maroc, grâce notamment aux nouvelles technologies de communication et d'information.
"La presse écrite au Maroc a connu une grande avancée qualitative et quantitative qui lui a permis de se développer de manière significative au cours des dernières années", a souligné Mohamed Dourrachad, consultant médiatique et ancien directeur adjoint d'Abou Dhabi TV, qui modérait cette rencontre organisée dans le cadre de la célébration du 20ème anniversaire du Washington Moroccan Club (WMC).
Pour M. Dourrachad, le développement de l'outil Internet au Maroc est à même de permettre une avancée considérable dans le domaine de l'information au Royaume, ainsi que pour ce qui est de la promotion de l'image du Maroc à l'étranger.
De son cô
Soirée de Gala à Washington pour marquer le 20ème anniversaire du WMC
Washington- Une soirée de Gala, marquée par une magnifique prestation de la troupe folklorique de Guedra "Mnat Azaouan" des provinces du sud, a été organisée, dimanche à Washington, pour célébrer le 20ème anniversaire du Washington Moroccan Club (WMC).
Mr Ahmed HAJJI, Directeur Général L'Agence pour la Promotion et le Developpement Economique et Social des Provinces du Sud -WMC20
Mr Ahmed HAJJI, Directeur Général L'Agence pour la Promotion et le Developpement Economique et Social des Provinces du Sud
"It is for me a pleasure to wish a happy anniversary to the "Washington Moroccan American Club", and to congratulate you for the rich programs started for the celebration of its 20th anniversary. It is an initiative which can only be encouraged, being based on promoting Morocco , the bilateral, US-Moroccan, relations and our national cause.
All Articles
Forum des organisations de jeunes by USAID Morocco
Time August 28 · 9:30pm - 11:30pm
Location Théâtre National Mohammed V
Dans le cadre du Forum des Organisations de Jeunes qui se tient du 22 au 28 août 2010 à Rabat, l’Agence Américaine pour le Développement International (USAID/Maroc) honorera, le 28 août au Théâtre National Mohammed V, des jeunes et des personnalités ayant contribué au développement de leurs secteurs respectifs, et offrira des trophées d’amitié maroco-américaine aux personnalités et aux associations de jeunes ayant œuvré de maniè...re remarquable à promouvoir l’amitié entre les peuples marocain et américain
Moroccan newspapers
- Maghrb Arab Press
- Al massae
- AL akhbar
- Wydad Athletic Club site
- Al Ahdath
- Le Matin
- Nichane
- Al Bayane
- AlAlam
- Al Ittihad Al Ichtiraki
- Bayane Alyoume
- Al Sabah
- Attajdid
- ALmaghribia
- Aujourdhui
- L'economiste
- Le Repoter
- La Gazette Du Maroc
- La Nouvelle Tribune
- La Vie Economique
- Tel quel
- Maroc Hebdo
- Aufait Maroc
- La Chronique on-line
- Al Watan AL An
- Al Mountakhab
- Annoukhba Sport
- Le Monde diplomatique
- Haraka
- Sharq Aawsat Arabic
- sharq Aawsat English
- Morocco sport
- Morocco Daily
- Morocco Star
That is a very interesting and straight-forward article.
I strongly support Mr. Edward Gabriel's statement.
Thank you!
Aicha Bensaid Samrhouni
Moroccans have ignored the danger posed by Algeria to our territorial integrity for too, too long .
Algeria and its puppets "polizario" have been working very hard in deceiving and manipulating the public opinion in many countries by their progressive PROPAGANDA, financed generously by the Algerian petro-dolars , for the last 34 years , whilst Moroccans who, rightly, thought that they regained their occupied territories from Spain,( who signed its withdrawal from the Moroccan Sahara in the presence of UN representative), and that was the end of the matter ! After that they did nothing to challenge the Algerian lies and deception.
We appreciate the effort of Mr Edward Gabriel in clarifying his country's policy towards our Sahara, but we expect US to do more in supporting our cause internationally because it is A JUST CAUSE.