Key To Security Strategy (NAPSA)—At the United Nations General Assembly, one of America’s staunchest allies recently called for a new approach to helping developing countries achieve secure, sustainable eco- nomic and political stability. Morocco’s King MohammedVI, in a speech delivered to the General Assembly by the country’s Prime Minister Abdelilah Benki- rane, urged that development assistance be based on respect for developing countries’ abilities and understanding of their unique environments. “Each country follows a path of its own, having taken into consideration its historical development, cultural heritage, human andnatural resources, specific political circumstances, as well as its eco- nomic choices and the obstacles and challenges facingit,” he said. He concluded with an assessment of the urgency of the situation: “The world stands at a crossroads today. Either the international community supports developing countries to help them achieve progress and ensure security and stability, or we shall all face the consequences of more conflicts and greater fanaticism, violence and terrorism—all of which feed on feelings of injustice and exclusion—and no part of the world shall be safe.” Morocco’s understanding that “there can be no stability without development”is at the heart of the country’s multidimensional approach to combating extremism and terrorism—a unique approach recognized at a U.N. Counter-Terrorism Committee briefing that examined Morocco’s experience. At the briefing, Yassine Mansouri, Director General of Morocco’s Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has called for a new approach to helping developing countries achieve secure, sustainable economic and political stability. intelligence agency, highlighted Morocco’s growing intelligence network and partnerships with neighboring countries and told the Committee that Morocco’s efforts “to fight internal terrorist threats are a significant contribution to the international fight against terrorism and, through the sharing of intelligence, have saved many countries from malevolent acts threatening their security.” Ahmed Toufik, Morocco’s Minister of Islamic Affairs, explained that the role of government is to identify the radicalizing elements within society and pacify them. He reported that Morocco has established an institute in the Kingdom where religious leaders undergo mandatory training in Morocco’s brand of moderate Islam before they start preaching in public. The briefing came just days after the Global Counterterrorism Forum announced several new counterterrorism initiatives in which Morocco will play a keyrole. This information is conveyed by Beckerman on behalf of the Government of Morocco. Further information is available at the U.S. Departmentof Justice.
