Word: youssef
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1950-1959
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...prophetic sense so inherently well developed as Hadj Thami El Glaoui, the 80-year-old Pasha of Marrakech. Foreseeing a few years ago that a tough French line might prevail in Morocco, El Glaoui brokered the shady business of selling out Morocco's legitimate Sultan Sidi Mohammed ben Youssef. But when nationalist sentiment rallied around Ben Youssef and forced Premier Edgar Faure into making bargains with Moslem nationalists, wily old El Glaoui had different insight. "Must I become your government's enemy to be deemed worthy of negotiating with?" he asked a French diplomat. Last week, glimpsing...
...Rabat's Imperial Palace, presented himself to the new Premier-designate Fatmi Ben Slimane. He then issued a statement giving his full support to the nationalists. Said he: "I share entirely the joy of the Moroccan people at the announcement of His Majesty Sidi Mohammed ben Youssef's return to France. I make my own the wish of the Moroccan people, which is that of the prompt restoration of Ben Youssef and his return to the throne. Only his return can bring unity and calm to the spirits and to the hearts of the Moroccans...
...Glaoui's switch was a decided embarrassment to the French government: both President Coty and Premier Faure have stated publicly and emphatically that the reinstatement of Ben Youssef is no part of their plan. They have long used El Glaoui's opposition as an excuse not to make concessions to the nationalists...
...Both sides have long accepted 1) Mohammed el Mokri, the 108-year-old Grand Vizier, as representative of the traditionalist supporters of ex-Sultan Ben Arafa, and 2) Si M'Barek ben Mustapha el Bekkai, 48-year-old idol of Moroccan nationalists, as representative of ex-Sultan Ben Youssef. But French colonists feared the influence of Si Bekkai, whom they regarded as a dangerous extremist. Final solution was to dilute Si Bekkai's influence by adding not one but two more "moderate" members-one a young (38), obscure Berber chieftain called Si Tahar ou Ali Assou Loudyi...
...Youssef, theoretically, was in a strong position. Until he approved Faure's plan, Morocco's loyal nationalists would not give the French an inch. Yet Ben Youssef was miserable in exile: his Buick had been stolen, he had less than half his usual complement of 40 concubines with him, and he daily complained about drafts in the hotel. Three sessions with Catroux were enough to convince His Majesty where his best interests lay. Ben Youssef agreed to broadcast a message ordering his faithful subjects to avoid more violence...