Washington not to impose plan or solution on parties of sahara conflict, US senators
Morocco-USA, Politics, 12/12/2003

Washington will not impose any plan or solution on parties to the Sahara conflict, said in Marrakesh Thursday US senators Chuck Hagel (republican) and Jack Reed (Democrat), who are currently visiting Morocco.

The senators, who are in Morocco part of a tour to Maghreban countries and Europe, told a press conference at the end of separate meetings with the Moroccan prime and foreign ministers they have reiterated both in Algiers and in Marrakesh president Bush's stance that the US administration wants Morocco and Algeria to engage direct talks on the issue.

Bush had said in a message last month to king Mohammed VI the U.S "understands the sensitivity of the Western Sahara to your people and does not seek to impose a solution to that conflict on you."

He urged Algeria and Morocco to "both show creativity and flexibility for the cause of a lasting peace between your two countries," voicing hope that the two neighboring countries will collaborate to "implement solid confidence-building measures to ease the atmosphere of distrust and offer hope to the people of your two countries."

This issue should be settled between the concerned parties not only for the interest of the region but also for the interest of the whole world, the senators said.

They added that they raised in their talks with Moroccan officials the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) under negotiation between the US and Morocco in addition to the latest developments in the Palestinian and Iraqi questions.

On the FTA, they pointed out that agriculture and textile are particularly sensitive issues, underlining, however, that the two sides are close to finalizing the accord that will be submitted next year to the senate for approval.

Previous Stories:
  Stability in Maghreb and Morocco's reforms on agenda of two US senator's visit   (12/11/2003)
  Middle East: Rabat, Washington share same views, Powell   (12/4/2003)
  Powell to visit Morocco early december   (11/26/2003)

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