Joe Pitts: “I rise today regarding the King of Morocco's visit to our Nation's Capital this week. I ask the King to reflect on the…”

“I rise today regarding the King of Morocco's visit to our Nation's Capital this week. I ask the King to reflect on the statement he made to Secretary Powell earlier that Powell should ``consider the plight of the Palestinian people.'' Yes, our Nation must act on behalf of justice for all people. But should not the King of Morocco do that as well? What would the King say about the hundreds and thousands of Sahrawi people who have disappeared or are languishing in prison? What would the King say about the Sahrawis living in the occupied territory of Western Sahara who are arrested or shot or killed by Moroccan security officials for their peaceful protests about Morocco's policies? Mr. Speaker, I would ask the King of Morocco to seriously consider the policies of his own country, policies that have oppressed and persecuted the Sahrawis so that they have had to live in refugee camps in the harsh Sahara Desert for over 25 years. Their government's policy should also ensure that the Sahrawi people are guaranteed their rights and get their property returned.”