Tangier (Twilight of a New Era)

The International Zone of Tangier, is an International territory in northern Africa with a population of about 500,000. It lies on the North African coast at the western entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Spartel. The IZ of Tangier is also called for short the Interzone. Its main city is Tangier.

The Interzone is under the joint administration and protection of France, Spain, and UK under an international convention signed in Paris on 18 December, 1923.

History
The history of Tangier is very rich due to the historical presence of many civilizations and cultures starting from the 5th century BC. Between the period of being a Berber settlement and then a Phoenician town to the independence era around the 1950s, Tangier was a refuge for many cultures. In 1923, Tangier was considered as having international status by foreign colonial powers, and became a destination for many European and American diplomats, spies, writers and businessmen.

Administration of the IZT
The IZ of Tangier, as an international territory is governed by the Control Committee and the Tangier Legislative Assembly.

Until 1930s the sovereignty of the Sultan of Morocco was formally recognized, by means of its personal representative the Mendoub. The Mendou issued decrees (dahir) in his name and administered the affairs of the native Muslim and Jewish Moroccans.

Members of the Control Committee are Spain, France and UK. They are represented by their diplomatic consuls. The presidency of the Committee is annually rotated by member countries. The role of the Committee is to supervise and assure that the provisions of the Conventions are carried out and safeguard the international status of the Interzone. The Control Committee as veto power on the acts and decisions of the Assembly and Administrator.

Legislative Assembly is composed of the representatives of the foreign and native communities. They serve a term of four years. The Mendoub served until 1930s as president of the Assembly.

The Administrator, named by the Legislative Assembly, carries outs the decisions of the Assembly and directs the International Administration of the Zone. The International Administration is in charge of medical, water, postal and communications services, public finances, transport, food and agriculture, and industries. it is also in charge of all administrative task of the Interzone. Its recruitment and enrollment is open to all inhabitants of the Interzone and foreign citizens.

Administratively the Interzone is divided in the City of Tangier (City Council) and districts (district boards). The city council and district boards are directly elected and supervised by the International Administration.