Pages
Topic Discussion I
Politics of Hard Choices
Political Transition and Economic Restructuring
Room 4
(8 of 12 pages)
Speaker: Could you please tell us the questions so that we can get the
translation in Arabic.
Chair: How can the public be educated about the need for structural economic reforms, their short term hardships
and their likely long term benefits? How do governments communicate this issue in order to gain support?
Speaker: The topic for discussion is entrenching democracy. As far as Morocco is concerned the idea of democracy
has a long history but the question is institutionalization. How can we establish institutions for practicing a
democratic policy. Morocco has a adopted these policies and written out constitutions and charters but we feel
there is a need for developing it in practical terms in legislation. We want to translate it in real terms. The
obstacles not only relate to big problems like the spread of illiteracy. The high rate of illiteracy constitutes
a big problem and it is an obstacle to democracy in any country. It is an obstacle to development in economic terms
and so on. Again it obstructs the implementation of a real policy. Illiteracy involves financial costs. For instance
the new government in Morocco has adopted a vision for introducing deeper changes but unfortunately it is faced
with many obstacles. Chief among these obstacles are those related to foreign policies in Morocco. Let me remind
you that the Copenhagen social conference adopted a number of resolutions and recommendations which have not been
implemented because the Copenhagen summit has said that so long as there weak and poor countries and there are
strong countries, development cannot be achieved. I don't want to refer to the recommendations as a whole but I
want to remind you that the economically and financially advanced countries were recommended to allocate a certain
portion for development…[cut out]…what country did not allocate the percentage recommended by the Copenhagen summit.
In addition the strategies of the advanced countries are aimed at creating areas of influence and they want to
establish balances in their interest. Taking a country like Morocco, it has to devote a certain portion of it's
budget for issues which ought to have been settled a long time ago but they are hard issues. It is a historical
problem and it has also has come to an end so that we could have got it off our shoulders. It constitutes a burden
on the budget and it obstructs action in important fields like illiteracy and vital areas which could have contributed
to establishing real democracy, elections, referendums.
When it comes to strategies the IMF and the World Bank impose certain conditionalities and certain orientations
for reform. They are imposed out of ignorance of the cultures and potentials of specific communities and this constantly
leads to internal tension and usually this isolates the government from citizens. In turn this obstructs development.
It's not a simple issue and we cannot speak at the domestic level. The issue is a comprehensive one and it should
be seen in a global sense. It should be seen from a certain perspective, that is the country's decision-makers
versus the countries that have hardships. So there is a need for comprehensive or a formulation that should be
accepted internationally. The problem is not always a domestic or a subregional one like a problem with Morocco.
The problem is related to international pressures imposed by force of threat as is with many cases in the world
we are all aware of.
I would like everyone to know that at present Morocco is witnessing a new situation. For the first time in the
history of the Arab world the opposition is in office. This is the first time in 40 years. In the past the parties
that were in the opposition were not ruling. I think you will agree that when a party assumes power after years
of conflict are bound to address many problems. These parties are not expected to settle all accounts because this
will not help. These parties are expected to work towards the achievement of objectives. The more the people are
attached to a certain regime the more they are supported the more the government finds itself in a hard situation.
Looking at the situation in Morocco at present, there is a problem of foreign debt. When you look at the state
budget you find that more than 50% goes to foreign debt and 15% to investments. Any country that does not have
investments cannot develop it's economy. It will find itself subjected to many pressures of employment, etc. Many
countries have turned to privatization. We are going through this process but unfortunately as we privatize we
face many problems. When any sector is being privatized it has reflections and repercussions at the worker level.
Consequently I believe that the best solution to make all ends meet is to give workers a considerable portion in
privatization. This can save us getting into a battle with the working class. It also requires a partnership between
the state workers and the employers. This triangle can help promote development with the presence of political
goodwill and the involvement of the three parties.
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