The fact-finding assignment report I compiled for “Echorouk” after my most eventful visit to the occupied Sahraoui town of Dakhla came against a backdrop of exceptional circumstances in Morocco marked by the throne's festivities which coincide with July 30th of every year.

• The Moroccan Monarch’s speech was rife with virulent remarks against Algeria.

•  He bluntly asserted that Morocco would not relinquish a inch of western Sahara and this touched off anew a bitter polemics and a showdown between Morocco and the Polisario Front.

• Some of my numerous critics interpreted my fact-finding report as an Algerian reply to the King’s speech as the official Algerian reaction came from Mr Abdellaziz Belkhadem himself who responded to this untoward speech at the FLN summer university in Mostaganem in his capacity as representative of the President of the Republic.

• At the behest of the Makhzen, several Moroccan news media embarked upon a ferocious campaign aimed glaringly at hoodwinking the world public opinion about the objectivity and fair – mindedness of my report which highlighted the legitimate claims of the Sahraoui population in their quest for freedom and independence away from any subjugation from the Moroccan occupier.

• These Moroccan news outlets sought desperately to sully my reputation and that of Algeria’s leading newspaper namely “Echorouk” for which I compiled this fact – finding report with the sole objective in my mind being to bring to light from the inside (in the occupied Sahraoui territories) the deep concerns and expectations of the oppressed Sahraouis whose only motto remains: “self – determination” despite the Moroccan regime’s attempts to smother their legitimate aspirations.

• All things considered, I am nonetheless confident in the truthfulness contained in my fact – finding report and I think that I have only fulfilled my bounden duty as a bona – fidé journalist and human rights’ militant.

• In a word, an Algerian acting with no strings attached and seeking truth and objectivity against all odds.