Trump Awards King Mohammed VI Legion of Merit, Degree Chief Commander

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: Morocco World News

Trump Awards King Mohammed VI Legion of Merit, Degree Chief Commander

By Staff Writer -
Jan 15, 2021

Outgoing President, Donald Trump, has awarded King Mohammed VI the Legion of Merit, Degree Chief Commander, a statement from the Press Secretary said Friday.

The award, which is typically bestowed to heads of state or government acknowledges the efforts that King Mohammed has made over the past two decades to advance “the deep and enduring partnership between the Kingdom of Morocco and the United States across all domains.” ... It also acknowledges King Mohammed VI “vision and personal encourage including his decision to resume ties with the State of Israel—have positively reshaped the landscape of the Middle East and North Africa and ushered in a new era of security and prosperity for both our countries and the world.” ... The award was handed to Morocco’s Ambassador to the United States, Princess Lalla Joumala, who accepted it on behalf of the King.

During the same ceremony, Lalla Joumala presented Trump with the highest Moroccan award, called the Order of Muhammadi. The award was bestowed to President Trump in recognition for his efforts to restore diplomatic relations between Morocco and Israel. ... During the same ceremony, Lalla Joumala bestowed awards to Trump’s Senior Adviser Jared Kushner and Middle East Envoy Avi Berkowitz.

The ceremony took place on the heels of Trump decision in December to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, making the US the first global power to lend resolute support to the North African country’s decades-long efforts to end this territorial dispute. ... The move was followed by a series of statements that have emphasized US’ support for the autonomy plan as the only basis for reaching a mutually acceptable political solution in line with UN Security Council resolutions adopted since 2007.

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Read more: https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2021/01/332109/trump-awards-king-mohammed-vi-legion-of-merit-degree-chief-commander/

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Quid pro quo. This is being done in return for something. It didn't come out of nowhere.

Statement on the Awarding of the Legion of Merit, Degree Chief Commander, to His Majesty Mohammed VI

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1016284002

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Search Google News for "Kingdom of Morocco." There's all kinds of stuff going on that is flying under the radar.

https://www.google.com/search?q=kingdom+of+morocco

[msongs]

1. what's next, a postumous award to the late Adolf H. ? nt

[Bernardo de La Paz]

2. tRump shafted W Sahara by giving it to Morocco; US only country in the world to recognize the claim.

That was the basic bargain to get Morocco to re-recognize Israel.

The medal is just icing on the cake for the King from the wannabe King.

[Kablooie]

3. He's hoping for good will credit he can turn into cash in the future.

[LudwigPastorius]

4. The "Order of Mohammad"?

Was that awarded for Trump's attempted Muslim travel ban?


Sure, it's gold, but it's just gold. Trump will probably use some of that #StopTheSteal money to have it dipped in platinum.

[BlueIdaho]

5. As always it's about him.

Wait until he finds out his new bauble is just cheap and cheerful plated jewelry.

[groundloop]

6. Does Morocco have an extradition treaty with the US?

[mpcamb]

11. Looks like he wants a lock on places to run to...

[progree]

7. "the North African country's decades-long efforts to end this territorial dispute." - slanted

really slanted. Makes Morocco out to be some kind of peace-maker, like King Mohammed VI is the Jimmy Carter of North Africa or something like that. And that makes Trump looks great too for providing "resolute support" to the Great Peacemaker.

making the US the first global power to lend resolute support to the North African country’s decades-long efforts to end this territorial dispute.

[SunSeeker]

8. K & R for exposure of something shady.

[BlueMTexpat]

9. I am literally outraged and appalled by this.

Morocco is a wonderful country. Its current King is nothing like his grandfather, who was considered by many to be a saint. At least, he is an improvement over his father.

I spent eight years living and working in Morocco (in the 60s and 80s). I have many fond memories of my time there and still know many good people who live there.

As at least one poster mentioned above, this was likely a quid pro quo for US recognition of Morocco's claim to the Western Sahara, which has been in dispute since at least 1978 when Spain left that area. Here's a summary of that issue: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_status_of_Western_Sahara

Whatever the official status of Western Sahara internationally, Morocco has effectively absorbed it in any event, having installed administration and infrastructure there since 1978. Its people have full rights as Moroccan citizens.

Wrt to its recognition of Israel, Morocco has had Jewish citizens whose presence dates back for centuries. Regardless of any official stance on Israel before this recent recognition, there has generally been less anti-Jewish sentiment in Morocco than still exists in some parts of Europe.

The biggest flood of Jewish immigrants came after 1492 when the Moors were expelled from Spain. I even know some Jewish Moroccans who first immigrated to Israel after 1948 but who then chose to return to Morocco because they experienced discrimination against Sephardic Jews in Israel.

[marble falls]

10. Just a thing one tin pot dictator does for another: help devalue each other's national awards.