France, Morocco's most dedicated patron, might be moving away from its position of uncritical support. France's new president, Nicolas Sarkozy, decided to visit Algeria before Morocco, and Rabat is mad. So mad Mohammed VI refused to even see Sarkozy.The surprising news comes from Echorouk Online, which seems to be Algeria's answer to MAP. Sarkozy was going on a tour of the Francophone Maghreb, and he had the gall to visit Algeria first. Worse, in the makhzen's eyes, he didn't want to discuss the Western Sahara.
In response, Mohammed VI said he wouldn't meet with Sarkozy. Now, I'm only a sophomore in the School of Foreign Service, but it seems to me that it's unwise to throw a fit at your biggest backer over a bit of protocol. Here's hoping Morocco hears that Sarkozy prefers The Battle of Algiers to Casablanca, or will only drink Moroccan coffee with a lot of sugar.