The USA does not seek to impose on Morocco a solution to Sahara issue, US president renews
Morocco-USA, Politics, 11/20/2003

US president, George W. Bush, renewed in a message to King Mohammed VI that the USA does not seek to impose on Morocco a solution in the Sahara issue.

"The United States values our centuries-old friendship with Morocco, understands the sensitivity of the Western Sahara to your people and does not seek to impose a solution to that conflict on you," the US president who stresses in a message to the sovereign.

"We have noted your concerns," states Bush's message before highlighting that "the United State and Morocco share the goal of forging a lasting and beneficial peace for the people of your country and all of North Africa."

The US Chief-Executive also voices appreciation for the King's "efforts to seek better relations with Algeria and to work creatively with the United Nations, Mr. Baker (the UN secretary general's personal envoy for the Sahara) and your neighbors to find a lasting solution to the Sahara dispute."

An urgent appeal was launched to Algeria and Morocco "to both show creativity and flexibility for the cause of a lasting peace between your two countries," by the US president who also expressed hope that the two countries will work collaboratively to implement solid confidence-building measures "to ease the atmosphere of distrust, offer hope to the people of your countries and contribute to efforts to curb terrorism in the Sahara and the Sahel."

The message recalls remarks by US assistant secretary of state William Burns during a meeting with the sovereign in Morocco on October 27 who said "the United States is taking several important steps to reinforce relations between our two countries. "These include measures to enhance economic, military and counter-terrorism cooperation and to recognize Morocco's status as a long-standing ally," Bush goes on.

"I applaud your courage and vision in international affairs and in improving the daily lives of your people. Your reform agenda can serve as a model for the entire region, and I look forward to hearing more good news from Morocco," the US president concludes.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco's fm meets US officials   (11/13/2003)
  New US ambassador pledges to consolidate ties with strategic ally Morocco   (11/6/2003)
  Washington ready to support Moroccan efforts for lasting solution to Sahara issue, ambassador   (11/6/2003)

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