Friday, July 22, 2011

VOA News: Carol Castiel- Interviewing Marc Ginsberg: 'On Morocco's Constitutional Reforms'

Source:VOA News- Ambassador Marc Ginsberg, talking to VOA News about Morocco.

"Voice of America (VOA) is a state-controlled international television network funded by the U.S. federal tax budget. It is the largest U.S. international broadcaster. VOA produces digital, TV, and radio content in 47 languages which it distributes to affiliate stations around the globe. It is primarily viewed by foreign audiences, so VOA programming has an influence on public opinion abroad regarding the United States and its people." 

From Wikipedia 

"Former US Ambassador to Morocco Marc Ginsberg speaks out on the landmark constitutional reforms in Morocco on VOA's Press Conference USA with host Carol Castiel." 

From VOA News

The idea that a country the size of Morocco (32 million people) with a vast amount of land in the Arab (or Berber) world, is even talking about progressive reforms in their Constitution, is a huge step. 

But what I believe what Morocco should do is move to a constitutional monarchy like let's say Spain, where the Monarchy is still there, but doesn't run the executive branch of government (the Administration) but has more of a ceremonial role like in Britain. But where you have a civilian administration with an elected president or prime minister who appoints the cabinet, but has to be confirmed by an elected parliament. 

The good news is the King of Morocco has already sort of moved in this direction where they now or will have an elected Prime Minister and an elected multi-party bicameral Parliament. Morocco could definitely move from being the Kingdom of Morocco where the King is essentially a dictator with vast powers, to the Constitutional Monarchy of Morocco with branches of government, an executive with an Elected Leader, an elected multi-party bicameral Parliament,  and an independent judicial branch, thats appointed by the executive and have to be confirmed by Parliament. 

Similar to Spain, Morocco could be a very progressive country at least in Arabia as well as the rest of the World, that has a ruling party in the Executive with a multi-party Parliament, that respects minority rights for the parties that are not in charged of a chamber in Parliament, or both Chambers of Parliament. That also respects both men and women, racial and ethnic minorities, and religious minorities. Where the people can live their own lives with a basic Bill of Rights and not be thrown in jail when they express their rights. 

This is a system that I believe Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the Persian Gulf monarchies should look at as well. There's a clear message that I believe is being communicated in Arabia, that they are tired of authoritarian rule and want they ability to live their own lives and elect their own leaders. 

It's a good sign that the King of Morocco has taken it upon himself to move to reform the Moroccan Government and give his people more power in how they live their own lives and select their  leaders. And I believe what they are doing is something that the rest of Arabia should look at and could learn from.

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