Abdelaziz, a central leader of the Western Saharan independence movement, pointed to the examples of East Timor and Kuwait as models to be emulated by Washington in the Western Sahara. Imperialist powers sent their military forces into both of these countries and assumed the mantle of “liberator” to advance their broader strategic interests. “The international community assumed its duties and responsibilities and they forced Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait,” Abdelaziz said.

“Unfortunately, this did not happen in the case of Western Sahara, and the reason of course is the lack of pressure on Morocco despite the clear issue,” the Polisario leader stated.

Abdelaziz went on to praise the Libyan government’s capitulation to U.S. imperialist pressure to disarm. “By changing its position regarding the arms for massive destruction,” he said, “the Libyans have decided to put an end to the career towards nuclear weapons. And that’s something that we appreciate.”

Morocco “is not only exporting wars like the war on Western Sahara, but also exporting terrorism and, like we saw recently, drugs,” he said. Referring to the March 11 train bombing in Madrid, he said, “The perpetrators, all of them were Moroccans.”

Despite this conciliatory stance by the Polisario leadership towards Washington and other major centers of world finance capital, the Bush administration announced June 3 that Morocco’s absolute monarchy will be awarded the status of a major non-NATO ally. The designation brings with it priority delivery of U.S. arms, more advanced weapons technology, additional rights to stockpile U.S. military hardware and participate in defense research and development programs, and loan guarantees to finance arms purchases.

“The president took this step in recognition of the close U.S.-Moroccan relationship and our appreciation for Morocco’s steadfast support on the war on terror,” said a senior administration official, according to Reuters.

“We urge you to ensure that Morocco, with its new status, not use American weapons against the people of Western Sahara,” wrote Abdelaziz in a June 6 letter to the U.S. president.

On June 15 Washington signed a “free trade” pact with the Moroccan government. The accord eliminates tariffs on 95 percent of trade between the two countries, the balance to be phased out over the next nine years. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative gloated that under the terms of the agreement U.S. business “will gain new tools to compete with Canada, the EU and others in Morocco’s market.”
 
 
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