Proclamation on Recognizing The Sovereignty Of The Kingdom Of Morocco Over The Western Sahara

[mahatmakanejeeves]

I saw this yesterday and didn't pay any attention to it. I should have. There was a reason he did this. Please read on.

PROCLAMATIONS

Proclamation on Recognizing The Sovereignty Of The Kingdom Of Morocco Over The Western Sahara

FOREIGN POLICY

Issued on: December 10, 2020

The United States affirms, as stated by previous Administrations, its support for Morocco’s autonomy proposal as the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute over the Western Sahara territory. Therefore, as of today, the United States recognizes Moroccan sovereignty over the entire Western Sahara territory and reaffirms its support for Morocco’s serious, credible, and realistic autonomy proposal as the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute over the Western Sahara territory. The United States believes that an independent Sahrawi State is not a realistic option for resolving the conflict and that genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the only feasible solution. We urge the parties to engage in discussions without delay, using Morocco’s autonomy plan as the only framework to negotiate a mutually acceptable solution. To facilitate progress toward this aim, the United States will encourage economic and social development with Morocco, including in the Western Sahara territory, and to that end will open a consulate in the Western Sahara territory, in Dakhla, to promote economic and business opportunities for the region.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim that, the United States recognizes that the entire Western Sahara territory is part of the Kingdom of Morocco.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
fourth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.

DONALD J. TRUMP

[mahatmakanejeeves]

1. Axios: Trump Made Morocco Deal To Spite Inhofe

Axios: Trump Made Morocco Deal To Spite Inhofe
December 11, 2020

Axios reports:

A fallout between President Trump and Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, led to the breakthrough that resulted in the Morocco-Israel normalization deal, sources briefed on the matter told me.

Inhofe is Washington’s most avid supporter of the Polisario Front — a Sahrawi rebel national liberation movement aiming to end Moroccan occupation of the Western Sahara. He has travelled many times to Algeria for meetings with Polisario leaders.

{snip}

[malthaussen]

2. I don't think this is Constitutional.

It would seem logical that recognizing political entities would fall under the purview of the Senate's power to make treaties. It does not seem logical that the President of the United States could "recognize" a foreign power on his own whim.

But this does seem like a pretty clear case of "You show me your quid, and I'll show you my quo."

-- Mal

[beastie boy]

3. This may have something to do with it:

https://news.yahoo.com/trump-announces-morocco-latest-arab-161232865.html

Morocco latest state to recognize Israel.

The deed is done. Whether Trump has the constitutional authority to recognize political entity is now irrelevant.