To the editors,
I wish to address two points with you regarding this article (“The Woes of Western Sahara,” Voices, Feb. 22, 2007). First, how do we decide which indigenous people get to claim independence or not? Morocco had many claims on the area long before the colonization of the Europeans in North Africa. So when do we draw the line in time? Should we also withhold our support of Turkey for their treatment of Armenians and Kurds? Are we ready to give most of the U.S. back to the Native Americans?
So what is “best” for the Western Saharans now? You can say that they should be allowed to determine whether they should be autonomous, part of Morocco or part of Algeria. Based on what’s going on in both countries right now, who would you rather see influence the area? Morocco’s stable yet reforming monarchy, or Algeria, which is a complete basketcase, Al Qaeda hideout and recruiting ground, and even more oppressive than the Moroccans? While I would prefer to see governmental and democratic reforms happen faster in Morocco, I believe there is more opportunity for success with Morocco than with Algeria.
Thanks,
Jim Murphy
Pittsburgh, Pa.
