Everyone likes parsley

The Parsley Island affair underlined the glacial nature of Rabat-Madrid relations. Spain's continuing occupation of the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, within Morocco, is highly sensitive. The coastal cities are the focus of Rabat's claims and crucial for nationalist coalition partner Istiqlal, now gearing up for general elections this autumn. Talks about Parsley (known to the Spanish as Perejil, Leïla to the Moroccans) are set for September.

Article Tags:
Mohammed Benaïssa, France, Mohammed, José Maria Aznar, Lalla Selma Bennani, Juan Carlos, Britain, Ana de Palacio, United States, Israel, Iraq, Colin Powell, Margaret Tutweiler, Algeria, Tayed Fassi Fihri, Mohamed Benbouchta, Fathallah Sijilmassi, presidios, gendarmes

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