A policy for dialogue

Arabic version (PDF).
French translation (manual).

Al Maghrib - July 28, 1937

The Moroccan nationalist movement claims the same rights that are recognized by other nations. This requires no further discussion. All those who have been involved with this movement or are aware of its agenda concur that its aims are sound and its cause is just. They have acknowledged that its actions are eminently practical, having no other goal than to help its people out from the bankruptcy it was forced into and to prepare it for a dignified life to which it has always aspired.

Moroccan nationalists are optimists. The end-purpose of their criticism is always aimed at improving the morale and material well being of the Moroccan people especially since their situation has become increasingly intolerable.

The coming to power of a liberal French government has had a considerable influence on the Moroccan National Movement. The latter has set a new course of interaction by adopting a policy of dialogue and cooperation^[21] with respect to France's new leaders who have demonstrated sympathy and support for our demands as legitimate grievances.

Moreover the current French leaders have stated on many occasions that they are committed to cooperating with the administrative bureaucracy in their (collective) interest to serve the higher interests of France. They know that a friendly Moroccan nation would have a positive impact on the course and nature of Franco-Moroccan relations.

They have always been convinced that those in charge of the administration think highly of their country. They are ready to choose a wise policy to demonstrate to the Moroccan people the true intentions of France. The new leaders seeks to establish a platform of dialogue and mutual understanding between the National Movement and the French Protectorate in Morocco and to not (support the) objectives of the settlers who are only concerned about their (personal) ambitions. This policy of dialogue is the only one to allow sincere men from both countries to begin an era of understanding and cooperation and to reap the benefits in a peaceful and serene environment.

If there are elements on the sidelines that would show their opposition to this policy of dialogue, it is because they are moved by their obvious concern to defend what they perceive as their private interests. They of course would rather see a perpetuation of the policy of confrontation with its disastrous consequences and whose negative impact on the future relations between the two countries would be hard to gauge.

These reactionaries flout the (long-term) interests of the French state. Their unique aim is to exploit the weak by doing their utmost to keep them under their yoke. They appear to be without principle and stiff arm any possibility for cooperation destined to build any confidence between the (Moroccan) people and the protectorate government. They can only thrive in a permanent oppressive climate with its disastrous consequences. This is a climate that Moroccans, who seek to live with dignity, have taken action to dispel at what ever cost; no matter how much pressure is brought upon them to change their minds.

Any negative action by these reactionaries only reconfirms in the the minds of the Moroccan people that they must put forth every effort to act on the real problems and their dispositions in order to succeed in their cause and to recover the rights stripped from them. Morocco will continue to develop along a natural course, irrespective of any traps laid by reactionaries in their path or to any readiness by the liberal French to enter an era of dialogue and cooperation. The French administrative bureaucracy must understand this basic premise. They have no interest to upset the feelings of the Moroccan people. Such conduct will only cause further exacerbation as they awaken. It will only incite further acts of revolt.

The duty of France is to ensure and reinforce the feeling in this country (Morocco) that it needs reforms more than ever. It will thus also serve the higher principles of the democratic Republic of France. This new policy will be widely appreciated by the popular masses. Both parties will reciprocate their will to erase all the ills of the past as well as the misery due to the reactionary thinking which was leveled at Morocco's affairs from the first days (of the protectorate) to the advent of this new era.

^[21] The Popular Front, a coalition of the Socialist Party, the Radical Party and the Communist Party, won the majority of seats in the French legislative elections of May 1936. The Moroccan National Movement saw this victory as one that would move events quicker towards establishing an entente based on a prolicy of dialogue between the Moroccan nationalists and the members of the new French government. Furthermore they fostered high hopes that the upcoming discussions with the new Prime Minister and his cabinet could lead to a studies of the means and ways for our country to the status of an independent nation. Prime Minister LÃ©on Blum was highly regarded in Moroccan circles for his sincerity and credibility. Hence the day after Blum's government came to power, Said recommended a plan of action to the National Movement leadership which took into account the new political direction of the new government of France. He was convinced that new policies would allow for openness and dialogue that were missing with the staff of the colonial administration before the Popular Front came to power. Without such openness or dialogue it would have been inconceivable to obtain any improvements in the the relationship between the two nations.

A bird's-eye view of his recommended plan of action follows:

On the political front, he proposed to adopt a number of basic principles including the respect for human and legal rights such as those found in French academic literature.

As to civil liberties, he recommended to announce beforehand the decision to create a political party modeled after the major parties of the Middle East and Western Europe and the creation of a Moroccan Writers Society as well as other cultural associations. He proposed getting authorization for three weekly cultural magazines plus several daily political newspapers.

On education, certain existing institutes like Guessous would include a secondary education cycle and he championed the creation of new primary and secondary schools where needed across the country, e.g. in all major cities like Casablanca, Fez, or Marrakesh. To ensure improving the professionalism of teachers, he proposed a continuous monitoring program with frequent unannounced audits.

With respect to the economic and social fronts, he implored that all be done to eradicate corruption, to emancipate women, and set up appropriate institutions to protect our moral and family values. He promoted the development of a nascent textile industry and, to increase the flow of information, he suggested the purchase of additional printing equipment.

More details of his recommendations can be found in Said's: "Franco-Moroccan relations" in this same chapter. His plan of action reveals that a lot of forethought went into the practical recommendations he submitted to his colleagues in the National Movement.