KING AND PEOPLE'S REVOLUTION DAY SPEECH

UNCLAS RABAT 001574 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/MAG E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MO SUBJECT: KING AND PEOPLE'S REVOLUTION DAY SPEECH REF: A. RABAT 01450 ¶B. RABAT 01504 ¶1. (U) Summary: On August 21, Morocco celebrated the fifty-third anniversary of the "Revolution of the King and the People Day." The king's speech underlined the significance of citizens uniting to "build a modern Morocco and turn the country into a highly motivated, enterprising and dedicated nation, boasting plenty of ambition and resourcefulness and yearning for progress and development." At the same time he underscored the "ultimate objective (as) build(ing) a nation with increased regional and international aura, a closely united nation, priding itself on the harmonious, indissoluble bonds uniting its Throne and its People." End Summary. ¶2. (U) The king referred to his grandfather, Mohammed V, and his father, Hassan II, as "brave martyrs of the Resistance," a formula he often uses in speeches. He called on Moroccans to "enhance the free, independent state they bequeathed to us, and enrich it with further accomplishments and illustrious achievements." For the king, "ethical values include constant uncompromising commitment to principles and allegiance to the sacred tenets of the nation, which should override any individual interests or personal considerations." ¶3. (U) Calling on all citizens to "harness their energies," he pointed to the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH) as the means by which every citizen will achieve a "dignified life." While sacrifice for "our fathers" meant independence, today it means "integrated development." The king stressed that the youth are the nation's energy. ¶4. (SBU) The king's speech commemorating past struggles for independence and celebrating youth pointed, as did his Throne Day speech (reftels A, B),to the community of citizens that will enhance Morocco's future possibilities and improve its status. He firmly re-stated that Morocco's future is in the hands of every citizen and that citizens must work together to fulfill the goals of sustainable and continuous development. He reaffirmed the links between the people, the throne, national unity and territorial integrity. The speech's language is a call for Moroccans to recognize and appropriate the past while looking towards the development of a positive future. ****************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ****************************************** RILEY