Washington not seeking to impose solution on Sahara dispute, Burns
Morocco-USA, Politics, 5/15/2004

The US Assistant Secretary for Near eastern affairs has "re-emphasized President Bush's commitment to a political solution to the "difficult Western Sahara issue," stressing that his government is not seeking to impose such a solution to the parties.

"We urge the parties to work with the UN Secretary general's personal envoy (James Baker) and we also encourage the leaders of Morocco and Algeria to build stronger bilateral relations and to do everything they can to improve the atmosphere for a resolution of the Western Sahara issue," William Burns said at a press conference, in Rabat Thursday, after a few-hour visit to Morocco.

Such a solution, he insisted, "would do so much to open up greater opportunities for regional economic growth and stability."

"Our efforts are directed towards Algeria and Morocco. We have strong relationships with both countries and we believe there is enormous amount to be gained for Moroccans, for Algerians and for others through the Maghreb by strengthening bilateral relationships and by resolving the difficult question of western Sahara," Burns said.

He however made it clear that his Government cannot impose a solution to the parties. "Our policy has been a very clear and consistent one, that is consulting carefully with our friends in the region, making clear our support for a political solution, and at the same time making clear that it is not the business of the US to impose a particular solution," Burns emphasized.

The US diplomat offered "our support to the active diplomatic efforts of the UN personal envoy," the former US Secretary of State James Baker who has been trying to draft a peace plan acceptable by all parties.

"That's the role we tried to play in the past, that's the role we are trying to play today. We have no illusion, we know this is a difficult problem along with many other difficult problems in this part of the world but it is very much in the interest of the US to do everything we can to help support a political solution because we believe it will open up economic opportunities, regional growth and greater stability," he concluded.

During his visit, Burns who flew in Rabat from Algiers, was received by King Mohammed VI. He also held "excellent" talks with Prime Minister Driss Jettou, foreign affairs and cooperation minister, Mohamed Benaissa and minister delegate to foreign affairs and cooperation Taib Fassi Fihri.

Previous Stories:
  King receives US assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs   (5/14/2004)
  Washington will not impose a solution to Sahara dispute, whatsoever, Ambassador   (4/16/2004)
  Washington will impose no solution over Sahara issue, ambassador   (4/7/2004)

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