Sahara issue: Washington backs solution accepted by all parties
Morocco-USA, Politics, 8/14/2003

US Ambassador to Morocco, Ms. Margaret Tutwiler, on Wednesday said her country backs a solution to the Sahara issue, acceptable by all parties concerned.

The diplomat made the statement at a meeting with representatives of the Moroccan press at the end of her mission in Morocco.

Resolution 1495, adopted recently by the Security Council does not impose anything on Morocco, said Ms. Tutwiler.

Tutwiler, who served as US ambassador to Morocco since July 2001, has been appointed under secretary for public diplomacy. Last April, she was temporarily appointed in charge of communication in Iraq within the team of Jay Garner.

Answering criticism in the Moroccan press regarding the US position as to the Moroccan Sahara issue, Tutwiler said there has been a great confusion regarding this issue in the Moroccan press. Contrary to what came in some stories in the press, the Moroccan-US friendship has never been doubted, she stressed, adding all US officials at the highest level of the administration appreciate and value this friendship.

Morocco and the USA are bound by sound, solid and deep ties, she said, adding these relations are so strong that they cannot be affected by an issue like that of the Sahara, she said.

According to Ms. Tutwiler, it us up to the parties to find the best way to a peaceful solution to complicated conflict that last for 27 years. The USA, as strong friend of Morocco, will continue to back efforts towards such a solution.

The diplomat also touched on ongoing Moroccan-US negotiations for the conclusion of a free trade accord.

The negotiations are on the right path and the Moroccan and US negotiators are working hard to materialize the project before year end, she said.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco's popular movement parties believe Baker plan a dangerous setback   (8/9/2003)
  Le Matin du Sahara et du Maghreb: US draft resolution on sahara a backward step   (8/8/2003)
  Moroccan paper criticizes US, Spain positions in security council over sahara   (8/6/2003)

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