TonH
09-02-04, 10:53
'Airspace breach' angers Morocco
By Danny Wood
BBC, Madrid
Moroccan officials have demanded an explanation after Spanish fighter jets allegedly violated Moroccan airspace.
The incident is the first serious threat to relations since full diplomatic ties were restored in December, 2003.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39834000/gif/_39834617_morocco_nador_map203.gif
Spain's Foreign Minister, Ana Palacio, said she would investigate the claims and deliver an official response.
Tensions between the two countries soared in 2002, amid a dispute over a tiny island claimed by both sides.
The Moroccan authorities want to know why, on the morning of 5 February, Spanish fighter planes were flying at a low altitude over Morocco's north-eastern province of Nador.
Island row
Relations between the two nations are always very delicate.
Full diplomatic contact was only renewed last December following a summit in Marrakesh.
That was 18 months after a crisis over the disputed Parsley island, known as Perejil by Spain.
Moroccan soldiers occupied the rocky outcrop only to be ejected by Spanish marines.
The two nations continually argue over the Western Sahara, a territory occupied by Morocco but where Spain, backed by the United Nations, wants a referendum on independence.
And Rabat says the Spanish North African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla and Parsley Island are part of Morocco.
There are continual problems over fishing rights and Spain's primary concern, illegal immigration from Morocco.
Mafia boat captains transport tens of thousands of Moroccans seeking a better life in Spain across the narrow Straits of Gibraltar.
Hundreds drown in the attempt.
Nearly every week Spaniards sit down to television news showing bloated bodies on their beaches.
With so many potential arguments, Spain's foreign minister has tried to cool the rising political temperature, referring to the open and friendly contact that exists between the two governments.
But an incident like this could be enough to ruin relations altogether.
By Danny Wood
BBC, Madrid
Moroccan officials have demanded an explanation after Spanish fighter jets allegedly violated Moroccan airspace.
The incident is the first serious threat to relations since full diplomatic ties were restored in December, 2003.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39834000/gif/_39834617_morocco_nador_map203.gif
Spain's Foreign Minister, Ana Palacio, said she would investigate the claims and deliver an official response.
Tensions between the two countries soared in 2002, amid a dispute over a tiny island claimed by both sides.
The Moroccan authorities want to know why, on the morning of 5 February, Spanish fighter planes were flying at a low altitude over Morocco's north-eastern province of Nador.
Island row
Relations between the two nations are always very delicate.
Full diplomatic contact was only renewed last December following a summit in Marrakesh.
That was 18 months after a crisis over the disputed Parsley island, known as Perejil by Spain.
Moroccan soldiers occupied the rocky outcrop only to be ejected by Spanish marines.
The two nations continually argue over the Western Sahara, a territory occupied by Morocco but where Spain, backed by the United Nations, wants a referendum on independence.
And Rabat says the Spanish North African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla and Parsley Island are part of Morocco.
There are continual problems over fishing rights and Spain's primary concern, illegal immigration from Morocco.
Mafia boat captains transport tens of thousands of Moroccans seeking a better life in Spain across the narrow Straits of Gibraltar.
Hundreds drown in the attempt.
Nearly every week Spaniards sit down to television news showing bloated bodies on their beaches.
With so many potential arguments, Spain's foreign minister has tried to cool the rising political temperature, referring to the open and friendly contact that exists between the two governments.
But an incident like this could be enough to ruin relations altogether.