Moroccan-Algerian Relations Mending

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30278, 2 November 1963, Page 11

Moroccan-Algerian Relations Mending

(N Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright)

ALGIERS, Nov. 1. The Moroccan Labour Minister (Mr Abdel Kaer Benejelloum) will today join other foreign guests in celebrations in Algiers of the ninth anniversary of the onutbreak of the Algerian war of independence.

His presence is a further sign that relations between Morocco and Algeriastrained almost to breaking point by the three-week border dispute—are beginning to return to normal.

As Algiers goes en fete for the celebrations, the mixed commission set up by Wednesday’s cease-fire agreement between the two countries is due to begin work on determining the demilitarised zone from which troops will be withdrawn.

Usually well - informed sources have said that the

commission will work not only in ttie Hassi BeidaTinjoub area, where clashes have been fiercest, but also in other areas where there has been border fighting.

President Ben Bella said yesterday that one achievement of the cease-fire agreement was that Moroccan troops would withdraw from tlie two desert oases of Hassi Beida and Tinjoub. But in Rabat last night, the, Moroccan Foreign Minister (Mr Mohammed Balafrej) said: “We do not intend to evacuate our. territory.” King Hassan and his delegation received a triumphal welcome when they returned to Rabat yesterday. Cheering crowds limed the 10-mile route from the airport to Rabat. Banners hailed a victory for Moroccan diplomacy. Mr Ben Bella also received a hero’s welcome when he returned to Algiers. Mr Ben Bella said in a statement before leaving Bamako that he believed the meeting was “a victory for Africa”—the most important victor since the Addis Aba-a conference of independent African States earlier this year. He said he was leaving without hatred. There had been too much bloodshed during the seven-year Algerian war for Algeria to want more bloodshed now.

Mr Ben Bella paid tribute to President Modibo Keita, of Mali, the host at the summit meeting, and to Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia for their roles as mediators. King Hassan, who left shortly before Mr Ben Bella, also paid a warm tribute to Mr Keita, saying he was extremely happy with the summit meeting s outcome.