An update as regards: Morocco

[Ghost Dog]

Spain's El País, newspaper of record, publishes this morning three articles by seasoned journalist Ignacio Cembrero, two of which I find in my printed edition this morning; one of which (the lead article) I only find freshly minted and front page at the online edition under the headline "Primeras manifestaciones en Marruecos" - "First Demonstrations in Morocco".

Hundreds of protesters demonstrated on Sunday night, Cembrero informs us, in the main square of the city of Tangiers and in the streets of Fez proclaiming solidarity with Egyptians and Tunisians, and protesting the "hardships" of daily life.

Both demonstrations were broken up by "forces of law and order".

In another short article by Ignacio Cembrero buried in the 'national news' section of the Canary Islands printed edition of today's El País (and in the web edition here), we are informed that also yesterday, Sunday, the Government of Morocco twice officially protested to the Government of Spain because of a news report broadcast by Spanish public television's 24 Hours channel which quoted the "Moroccan website Hespress, published in Canada to avoid censorship, which in its turn had repeated a report published in Facebook by the Moroccan dissident journalist and editor Ali Lmrabet.

Apparently, Ali Lmrabet reported that Moroccan troops had been moved from the (occupied) Western Sahara region to outside the cities of Casablanca and Rabat so as to be prepared for any potential attempted protests or, um, uprising.

Cembrero has also published in today's El País an interesting interview with King Mohamed VI's first cousin and third in line to the throne, 46 year-old Mulay Hicham (photo: Ignacio Cembrero/El País - below). If I find time later today maybe I'll work on a proper translation of it, but for now, these are the 'money quotes' chosen by Cembrero for the lead article referenced above:

"Morocco will probably not be an exception." "Almost all authoritarian systems will be affected by this wave of protests." "The process of political liberalization initiated (in Morocco) in the late 'nineties (by King Hassan II) is almost exhausted."

--
Notes to the above, gleaned from El País:

1. Students of University of Fez: as John Lennon would say: Dirty. Ie: most radical.

2. King M. VI of Morocco spent this last weekend at his 'chateau' in Betz, north of Paris (France). Has now returned to Morocco.

3. King A. of Saudi Arabia is currently in Morocco, "convalescing following surgery."
--

:shrug:

(Also posted in the DU Egypt "Time will tell" Thread #5 (1-31-11))

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. So the king of Saudi Arabia is in Morroco?

Wonder who else dropped by?

[Ghost Dog]

2. Well, El País says that his highness

M. VI was, according to staff when asked, "resting". But El País also says that we can understand from his royal personage's website that he planned to, um, "discuss the situation" with, you know, "world leaders", if he can get their ear while detoxing from their recent Davos binge (Swiss "anarchist" small bomb blast included).

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. Bomb blast?

I gotta spend less time on Al Jazeera Egypt and more time skimming headlines.

[Ghost Dog]

4. Yup.

:)

I'm quoting Spanish public radio about the Swiss Bomb thing, but I'm sure there's a link ... like, here!

(Hmmm. I see they say "communist").

:( doubtful.