But what is freedom? For me, it is the respect of the other and the respect of the law. Freedom is not anarchy

Mohammed VI (born 21 August 1963) is the current King of Morocco. He ascended to the throne on 23 July 1999 upon the death of his father, King Hassan II.

Quotes

  • We are delighted, at this moment in which we celebrate these two great memorial days, to announce to you, dear people, the good news of the discovery of Oil and Natural Gas, in good quality and abundant quantities, in the region of Talsint, in the provinces of the Oriental, which are so dear to us
    • Original French: Nous nous réjouissons, au moment où nous célébrons ces deux glorieux anniversaires, de t’annoncer, cher peuple, la bonne nouvelle de la découverte du pétrole et du gaz, de bonne qualité et en quantités abondantes, dans la région de Talsint dans les provinces de l’Oriental qui nous sont si chères.
    • Televised speech 20 August 2000
  • In Morocco, I am perfectly known. Moroccans know my character and my ideas, they know absolutely everything of me. This notion of mystery is entertained by some press: to sell, a label must be assigned. I was assigned this label of mystery, just because I decided that, before speaking, I will wait to better know.
    • Original French: Au Maroc, on me connaît parfaitement. Les Marocains connaissent mon caractère et mes idées, ils savent absolument tout de moi. Cette notion de mystère est entretenue par une certaine presse : pour vendre, il faut mettre une étiquette. On m’a donc collé une étiquette, celle du mystère, simplement parce que j’ai décidé que, avant de parler, j’attendrais de mieux savoir.
    • Interview with Le Figaro–September 2001
  • But what is freedom? For me, it is the respect of the other and the respect of the law. Freedom is not anarchy
  • Criticism is constructive not tattling. Freedom of the press, is not anybody writing anything about anybody. One must write while respecting the facts, even when they are less exciting than the fantasy of those who chose to criticize just to criticize.
    • Original French: La critique est constructive, pas la délation. La liberté de la presse, ce n’est pas que n’importe qui écrive n’importe quoi sur n’importe qui. Il faut écrire en respectant les faits même quand ils sont moins excitants que le fantasme de ceux qui ont choisi de critiquer pour critiquer.
    • Interview with Le Figaro–September 2001
  • I am impulsive. But, thanks to my father, I learned never to take a decision hastily
    • Original French: Je suis impulsif. Mais, grâce à mon père, j’ai appris à ne jamais prendre de décision à chaud
    • Replying to a question about his weaknesses in an interview with Le Figaro–September 2001
  • President Jacques Chirac and Madame Chirac have with my family excellent relations of very deep affection and true proximity
  • I add that the French people know and love Morocco. Between our two countries there exists a cultural, social and human capillarity which transcend the circumstantial difficulties. But in France there is also, a reflex of security because we amalgamate Morocco with other countries of the southern Mediterranean. Morocco has a different identity.
    • Original French: J’ajoute que les Français connaissent et aiment le Maroc. Entre nos deux pays, il y a une capillarité culturelle, sociale et humaine qui transcende les difficultés de la conjoncture. Mais il y a aussi, en France, un réflexe sécuritaire parce qu’on fait l’amalgame entre le Maroc et d’autres pays de la rive sud de la Méditerranée.
    • Interview with Le Figaro–September 2001
  • As part of that march, and in accordance with my instructions, all previous governments have made praiseworthy efforts to give substance to my vision concerning reform and development. As a result, the current government has found not only a positive and healthy legacy, but also concrete achievements in the economic and social spheres.
    • Original French: Au cours de cette marche, tous les gouvernements précédents ont déployé, sous Notre impulsion, des efforts méritoires pour donner corps à Notre vision en matière de développement et de réforme. Tant et si bien que Notre gouvernement actuel a trouvé entre ses mains, dans le domaine économique et social, un héritage sain et positif, constitué d'actions constructives et de réalisations tangibles.
    • Televised speech–30 July 2013
  • Dear citizens, We have gained more backing for our foremost cause from the international community thanks to a better understanding of the circumstances and considerations underpinning the issue of our territorial integrity. As a result, there is growing support for our judicious autonomy initiative.
    • Original French:Cher peuple, Le capital sympathie dont jouit notre première cause à l'international, s'est accru grâce à une bonne appréciation des tenants et des aboutissants de la question de notre intégrité territoriale. Cette évolution trouve son illustration dans le soutien grandissant apporté à notre initiative judicieuse, en l'occurrence notre proposition d'autonomie.
    • Televised speech–30 July 2013
  • It is not reasonable for each government to come with a new plan every five years, and disregard previous programmes, particularly as no government will ever have the time, during a single mandate, to fully implement its project.
    • Original French: En effet, il n'est pas raisonnable que tous les cinq ans, chaque nouveau gouvernement arrive avec un nouveau plan, faisant l'impasse sur les plans antérieurs, alors qu'il ne pourra pas exécuter le sien intégralement, au vu de la courte durée de son mandat.
    • Televised Speech 20 August 2013
  • The situation is a difficult one. Nothing has been definitely settled yet. The manoeuvers plotted by the opponents of our territorial integrity are not about to end. Our cause may have to face other crucial developments. Accordingly, I urge you once again to remain fully mobilized, be vigilant at all times and act efficiently, at both the national and the international levels, to face the enemies of the nation and foil their illegitimate schemes.
    • Original French:La situation est difficile. Rien n'est encore tranché. Les manœuvres des adversaires de notre intégrité territoriale ne vont pas s'arrêter , ce qui pourrait placer notre cause devant des développements décisifs. Par conséquent, je vous exhorte tous –encore une fois- à une forte mobilisation, une vigilance de tous les instants, et des initiatives efficaces, aux niveaux interne et externe, pour contrecarrer les ennemis de la nation où qu'ils se trouvent, et pour déjouer les stratagèmes illégitimes auxquels ils ont recours.
    • Speech before the Moroccan lower house of parliament 11 October 2013
  • Is it reasonable to think that Morocco respects human rights in the north of the country and transgresses them in the south?
    • Original French: En effet, est-il raisonnable de penser que le Maroc respecte les droits de l'Homme dans le nord du pays et les transgresse dans le sud ?
    • Televised speech–6 November 2013
  • Some countries just entrust civil servants with monitoring the situation in Morocco. But, some of them are either ill-disposed towards our country, or are influenced by the thesis of our adversaries. And it is them who sometime oversee, sadly, the preparation of the files and the erroneous reports, on the basis of which , officials fix some of their positions.
    • Original French: Certains Etats se contentent de confier aux fonctionnaires le soin de suivre la situation au Maroc. Or, certains parmi eux sont soit mal disposés à l'égard de notre pays, soit influencés par les thèses de nos adversaires. Et ce sont eux qui veillent parfois, malheureusement, à la préparation des dossiers et des rapports erronés, sur la base desquels les responsables arrêtent certaines de leurs positions.
    • Televised speech–6 November 2013
  • We strongly condemn the murder of innocents.
  • Terrorists who kill in the name of Islam … are condemned to eternal hell, they are exploiting some young Muslims, particularly in Europe, exploiting their ignorance of Arabic and true Islam to relay their messages and false promises.

Quotes about Mohammed VI

  • In the end, Belkheir claimed, Hassan (with whom he met many times as a secret emissary) understood what had to be done to protect Moroccan interests vis-a-vis the Western Sahara. Accordingly, he had accepted a referendum and, subsequently, the autonomy approach Baker developed. Mohammed VI, by contrast, did not have his father's experience, was timid, and was surrounded by unhelpful advisers. As a result, Morocco has rejected previously accepted positions and lost an opportunity—via referendum voting procedures that would have allowed all Moroccan residents to participate—to assure the outcome it needed.
  • Don't think about it, this young man is ingenuous.
    • Original French: N'y pensez pas, Edwy, ce jeune homme est ingénu
    • André Azoulay replying to a request by Edwy Plenel to Interview Mohammed VI. (as reported in "Mohammed VI, le grand malentendu" by Ali Amar (2009-04-29))
This article is issued from Wikiquote. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.