Bin Issa: Full Normalization Subject To Peace Developments

Mohamad Al Ashab     Al-Hayat     2003/09/2

Western sources in Rabat anticipated that Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom's visit to Morocco yesterday would bring about a fundamental agreement to renormalize the relations between Israel and Morocco. The sources stated that Israel requested full normalization from Moroccan authorities, to the stage of exchanging ambassadors. However, Rabat related that to significant development in solving the Middle Eastern crisis and implementing the Roadmap, as a first stage. Yet, the prevailing belief is that normalization could begin by reopening both offices of communication in Rabat and Tel Aviv. The Israeli authorities nominated David Cohen to be in charge in Rabat. 

Upon his arrival in Casablanca, Shalom was welcomed by his Moroccan counterpart, Mohamad Bin Issa. Israeli sources said that Shalom carries a message to the Moroccan King Mohamad VI from the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

Bin Issa described the visit as an important stage, and added: "we are participating in the peace process and working towards peace and security." However, normalization is subject to the consequences of the visit that Rabat seeks from a clear Israeli commitment to proceed forward in the peace process.

Shalom's visit to Morocco is considered as the first of its kind since Rabat closed the office of the Israeli contact more than two years ago. However, bin Issa met with Shalom in London at the same time of the Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas' visit to Morocco. Moroccan sources leaked that Arab parties asked them to mediate with Israel, since there is a large Jewish community of Moroccan descent in Israel.