Rabat, May 4, 2013 (MAP)
The Moroccan Sahara issue, labor day and the unions movement in Morocco and the General convention on taxes were the main themes commented by editorials of Moroccan weeklies.
In an editorial titled "a decisive intervention," L'Observateur du Maroc stresses that the action conducted by King Mohammed VI was decisive to explain to US president Barack Obama that the US proposal to extend the mandate of the UN Sahara mission MINURSO to human rights monitoring was "unfeasible, inadequate and therefore unacceptable," noting that the sovereign, in his capacity as the warrant of Morocco's territorial integrity, has exercised his constitutional powers, because it is up to the King to define the country's strategic options and general diplomatic orientations, notwithstanding who is in the government."
The Royal intervention also came to remind everybody that there is a red line not to be crossed, that of Morocco's stability on which stability in all the region depends.
By adhering to the Royal stance, the editorialist goes on, "the Security council permanent members recognize the sovereign's international stature."
On the same subject, Le Canard libéré notes that the US administration has finally conceded that its diplomat, Susan Rice, has made an error and that Washington's official support to the Moroccan autonomy plan has not changed.
The editorialist also insists that Algeria has lost all its cards when Morocco presented its proposal that was acclaimed by all the world superpowers, including the USA.
For La Nouvelle Tribune, the strong relationship existing between Morocco and the USA has been somehow disturbed by the Minurso case but "the two countries, which are both aware of the stakes and the dangers in North Africa have rushed to settle the divergence."
The editorialist calls for drawing lessons from this episode since it showed the existence of a true danger as the separatists soon resumed their violent activism in the major city of Moroccan Saharan provinces.
It calls "Moroccan officials, diplomats, politicians, the press and all live forces of the civil society to fathom the Algerian hostility and react to it."
Regarding the labor day, Le Temps considers that this celebration is an opportunity to remind everybody of the importance of trade unions, but goes on that trade unions are experiencing various problems, including a lot too many unions and the absence of internal democracy.
On the same subject, Le Reporter considers that the large number of existing unions does not allow a good representation and criticizes the unions for opting for "political show" instead of bringing solutions to the daily life of workers.
When leaders of some trade unions refuse to sit at the negotiations table, it means that they have not yet reached the stage of deeply addressing the real issues.
In an editorial titled "fiscal reform" Finances News Hebdo underlines the importance of this issue as the government has shown a genuine will to reform the present fiscal system for more fiscal equity and justice.
"While everybody agrees that the role of taxes needs to be redefined, opinions diverge as to the type of reform needed, the weekly says, noting, however, that any reform will be decried because it will imply the end of privileges and that some citizens who have never paid taxes will be forced to do so.
The task will not be easy since lobbies will be very active, it warns, calling the government to be careful if it is to succeed in this vital reform.