Moroccans took to the streets to protest the US-sponsored forum

RABAT, December 4 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – While the government is racing to prepare for the US-sponsored Forum for the Future, scheduled for December 11, Moroccan political powers are stepping up their campaign against the “imposed” reform formulae and US hegemony.

A broad section of society and the country’s intelligentsia believe the forum aims at paving the way for the implementation of the US Greater Middle East and North Africa controversial initiative, reported the London-based Al-Quds Press news agency.

They see the forum as an attempt to give wider powers to Israel, considered by the Americans as the Middle East’s only true democracy.

Even the government’s success to dodge Israel’s participation failed to allay public fears or calm down growing angry emotions spewing out because of the US meddling.

Last week, some 50,000 Moroccans took to the streets of the capital Rabat to protest the forum, burning Israeli flags and several mock coffins symbolizing the UN, world conscience, human rights and Arab regimes.

They waved Iraqi and Palestinian flags as well as portraits of Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, the spiritual leader of Hamas who was assassinated by Israeli forces in March.

“Fallujah Resists While Arab Regimes Speculate,” one slogan said.

Foreign Recipe

The forum is the centerpiece of the Partnership for Progress and a Common Future with the Region of the Broader Middle East and North Africa (BMENA).

The initiative was launched by US President George Bush and leaders of the G8, along with leaders of seven countries from the region, at the 2004 G8 summit at Sea Island, Georgia, US.

It is first and foremost aimed at promoting democratic reforms in the Middle East, north Africa and nearby areas, including Afghanistan and South Asia.

Those accepting the reforms will receive lucrative financial support and preferential treatment from Washington and its main western allies.

Foreign and finance ministers from more than 20 countries of the Middle East and north Africa are expected at the forum.

Their counterparts from the G8 countries -- the United States, France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada and Russia -- plus representatives of international organizations will also show up.

Saudi Arabia has also confirmed participation in the forum.

“Arab Meeting”

Statements by Moroccan officials, who said the forum was just a US-sponsored “Arab meeting”, have hardly had a soothing effect on growing public fury.

Foreign Minister Mohammad Bin Isa said the forum will help enhance political, economic and social forms in the countries concerned in a harmonious way, as agreed upon in the last Arab summit, hosted by Tunis in May.

Yusuf Al-Emrani, the director general of the Foreign Ministry’s Bilateral Relations Department, said the forum reaffirms the countries of the region commitment to introducing reforms recommended by the Tunis summit.

He said it helps entrench the concept of democracy, promotes human rights and gives a greater role for civil society.

Emrani, however, said any reforms should come in line with the traditions and values of each country.

He added that economic issues will be high on the agenda, including a proposal from Bahrain to set up a network of regional funds.

Observers believe that the US has scaled back its initiative for fear that reforms and democratic elections would probably bring “Islamists” to the helm of power in several countries.

Arab and Muslim heavyweights Egypt and Saudi Arabia, whose support Washington sees as requisite to the success of its initiative, repeatedly rebuffed the American recipe.