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http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/world/1498044 [The very same hereditary monarchy, conqueror and colonial master of Western Sahara, and key NATO military client state that recently 'protected' NATO from attacks by alleged Al-Qaeda operatives near Gibraltar. Curiouser and curiouser....] July 17, 2002, 10:48AM Spanish forces oust Moroccan soldiers from island Associated Press -"Would the US have reacted differently? I don't think so." BEL YOUNECH -- Spanish forces ousted six Moroccan soldiers from a disputed island off Morocco's Mediterranean coast today in a bloodless raid promptly denounced by Rabat as an act of aggression. Associated Press Two unidentified Moroccan men look at Perejil Island from the hills of the village of Belyounech in Morocco. In a pre-dawn swoop, 28 members of a Spanish special forces team dropped from helicopters onto the tiny island. They swiftly made their way towards the outcrop's summit and used megaphones to demand the Moroccans surrender, Spanish authorities said. Spain said the operation was in self defence after the Moroccan troops set up camp on Perejil last week and raised their flag on the uninhabited rock, known as Leila in Morocco. "Spain was attacked by force in a very sensitive part of its geography," Spanish Defence Minister Federico Trillo said. "In military terms, we are talking about a clear case of legitimate defence." The importance of the tiny island extends far beyond its 300 by 500 metres (yards). Perejil, which lies just 200 metres off Morocco's Mediterranean coast, is only six km (four miles) from Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta, long coveted by Rabat. Recent talks between Britain and Spain on the future of the disputed British colony of Gibraltar have prompted comparisons by Rabat, which would like to absorb Ceuta and its sister enclave Melilla. Foreign Minister Ana Palacio said Spain intended to remove its troops as soon as possible, but insisted on a return to the status quo before Morocco's five-day occupation, when neither side had actively pressed a claim over the rocky island. "Spain has no interest in keeping a military presence on Perejil, but wishes to return without delay to the situation before July 11 when Morocco occupied the island," she said, later adding she had spoken to her Moroccan counterpart. But Morocco looked unlikely to accept Spain's position. "Confronted with this aggression, the Moroccan Kingdom demands, before anything else, the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Spanish armed forces from Leila island, which is an integral part of Moroccan territory," it said. Soon after the pre-dawn swoop, Spain's own yellow and red national colours could be seen flying over the disputed island, while bemused Moroccan locals, buffeted by strong winds in the early morning sunshine, looked on from neighbouring clifftops. Three Spanish naval ships and a small civil guard boat patrolled nearby. The six Moroccans on the rocky island -- whose name in Spanish comes from the wild parsley growing on its slopes -- were handed over to Morocco. In Brussels, European Commission President Romano Prodi failed to endorse Spain's military action and repeated his call for a diplomatic solution. "The Commission is concerned about events on Perejil island. It is now time to return to the status quo ante and to resume dialogue between Spain and Morocco," Prodi said in a statement. NATO, which has stood behind Spain during the dispute, said only it was pleased "the status quo ante has been restored." Spain, which maintains that it wants to patch up rapidly deteriorating relations with Rabat, recalled its ambassador late on Tuesday, but despite a military build-up since Morocco took over the island, it gave no public warning of a military action. On the streets of Madrid, people backed Spain's action. "If they don't want to talk there's no alternative to using force. We've got to be tough like the English or the Americans," said Monica, a banker. "If it's Spanish, it's Spanish. Would the U.S. have reacted differently? I don't think so," said Joaquin, 30. Morocco had said the camp was an observation post to tackle illegal migration and terrorism in the 20-km (12-mile) Strait of Gibraltar separating Spain and North Africa, adding it set up the post "after receiving information about illegal activities." Locals say a cave on the island is used as a drop-off point by drug runners, and both Spanish and Moroccan police have chased suspected criminals there. Spanish-Moroccan relations have been under increasing strain since Morocco recalled its ambassador to Spain in October over differences tied mainly to illegal immigration, a fishing accord with the European Union and the issue of the Western Sahara. The international community supports a referendum in Morocco-controlled Western Sahara where the Poliario Front fought a sporadic guerrilla war for 15 years until a U.N.-brokered ceasefire in 1991. Madrid has repeatedly said it favours a U.N. solution for the conflict, declining to support either of the parties. Spain is Morocco's second main trading partner after France with over $1.0 billion in foreign trade exchanges, and is among the leading sources of foreign investment. Rabat ignored European Union and NATO calls to withdraw from the island, which until now has been used intermittently by local Moroccans to graze goats. Morocco says the tiny island forms part of its territory, and while Spain has stopped short of claiming sovereignty it has consistently demanded a return to the "status quo," something it appeared to have ignored by hoisting its own flag. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Autos - Get free new car price quotes http://autos.yahoo.com --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.bacIlu Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
