Embassy Row

Moroccan free trade

The Moroccan ambassador is praising the congressional approval of a free-trade agreement as an indication of the strong relations between the United States and his moderate Muslim nation in North Africa.

However, several members of the House voted for the pact only after they were assured that the agreement exempted the Moroccan-occupied lands of the Western Sahara. If the agreement included the disputed territories, that would have signaled Washington’s recognition of Morocco’s claim to the region, they said.

Other opponents denounced the agreement because they said it failed to include strong labor and environmental safeguards.

The House approved the measure on a vote of 323 to 99 on July 22, a day after the Senate endorsed it by a margin of 85-13.

“I salute the U.S. Congress for overwhelmingly passing this landmark agreement,” Ambassador Aziz Mekouar said. “I must say that I was impressed that several congressmen and senators, while reconfirming that it was a good deal for the U.S. economy, wanted to be sure that it would also really benefit the Moroccan people.”

The congressional approval followed a visit to Washington earlier this month by Morocco’s King Mohammed VI, who is promoting economic reforms in his nation. President Bush also strongly endorsed the measure.

The ambassador said the agreement signifies more than just trade.

“It is an important symbol of the 227-year friendship that began with Morocco’s recognition of the United States’ sovereignty and independence — the first such recognition of the United States by another nation,” Mr. Mekouar said.

“Moreover, the agreement is acknowledgment of the important social, economic and political reforms implemented under the leadership of [King Mohammed] to modernize Morocco and improve the life of every Moroccan.”

Morocco is a constitutional monarchy that has held elections that international observers said were free and fair.

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas said the agreement with Morocco has already drawn interest from “a wave of other countries” in the Arab world who want to enter free-trade agreements with the United States.

“This agreement is a strong step forward in the U.S.-Moroccan relationship,” the California Republican added.

Rep. Joe Pitts, Pennsylvania Republican, supported the agreement after criticizing Morocco for occupying the Western Sahara, which has been struggling for independence. The United Nations has called on Morocco to hold a referendum in the region.

“The Sahrawi are a peaceful, pro-Western, pro-democracy people,” he said in a House debate last week. “They want the international community … to uphold its commitment to a free and transparent referendum for self-determination, and it is unacceptable that Morocco has been allowed to prevent that vote from taking place.”

Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich, Ohio Democrat, opposed the agreement because it failed to provide labor standards and environmental safeguards that he believes are essential to any trade pact.

“These flaws are … elements in an anti-consumer, anti-worker, anti-environmental and anti-democratic agenda,” he said.

New from Taiwan

The new U.S. representative from the Republic of China (Taiwan) has arrived in Washington and is introducing himself.

David Tawei Lee, Taiwan’s former representative to the European Union, has sent out “Dear Friend” letters to announce he has taken up his position as the unofficial ambassador here.

“I will do my utmost to promote the close, friendly and mutually beneficial ties between the people of our two countries,” he said.

• Call Embassy Row at 202/636-3297, fax 202/832-7278 or e-mail jmorrison @washingtontimes.com.