February 26, 2004

Earthquake in Morocco

Rescuers comb quake ruins

Morocco's King Mohammed VI (a.k.a. Speedy) comes under fire for neglecting the affected Rif region, home to the country's Berber minority.

Berbers, who have their own language, are considered the original inhabitants of North Africa.

Abderraouf El-Hadjtouhami, a 40-year-old unemployed farm worker, bitterly criticized the government for being ill-prepared to handle the catastrophe.

"The state isn't up to the job in this region," said Mr. El-Hadjtouhami, who lost three children in the quake. "What is the King going to do? The question is: What should he have done in the past? It's easier to react when it's already happened."

Posted by alokem at February 26, 2004 10:38 AM
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