Spain and Morocco: The Spanish Enclaves in North Africa, Potential Mediterranean Security Dilemma
Abstract
Two Western Mediterranean/North African issues which receive a great deal of attention are the Gibraltar question between Spain and Britain, and the Western Sahara question between Morocco and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). With a significant change in either one of these issues, a more obscure regional issue is likely to surface and gain more publicity--the status of Spain's enclaves in North Africa. A settlement in the Sahara would allow Morocco to redirect its efforts to the Strait of Gibraltar area. Furthermore, King Hassan II of Morocco has said that a change in the status of Gibraltar will presage a change in the status of the Spanish enclaves. Spain's military historically has had a large stake in the enclaves, however, Spain's Socialists vowed even before the 1982 elections to keep the enclaves Spanish. What is the nature of these Spanish enclaves today? Why do they continue to exist? What is their historical origin? What is the status of relations between Spain and Morocco? What are the superpower stakes in the region? How does one systematically look at enclave situations and similar territorial disputes in the 1980s, and in the recent past? Answers to these questions represent the focus of this study.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA125625
Entities
People
- Richard H. Porritt Jr.
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School