USA supports UN efforts to hold referendum in Sahara
Morocco-USA, Politics, 2/25/1999

The United States of America supports efforts of the United Nations Organization to hold a referendum in the Sahara, said Martin Indyk, US under-secretary for the middle East.

In an interview with Moroccan daily "Al-Ittihad Al-Ishtiraki," the US official called the two parties (Morocco and the Algerian-backed Polisario) to move forward in the identification operation to complete preparations for the holding of the referendum. This problem has been lasting too long and it has to be settled, he said.

Indyk further told the Moroccan daily's correspondent in Washington that Morocco is a friend and a privileged partner of the USA, we have deep respect and friendship for King Hassan II of Morocco. He also recalled that the idea of holding a referendum to determine whether this former Spanish colony retrieved by Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid accords with Spain and Mauritania would remain Moroccan territory or set on its own as claimed by the Polisario guerrilla, was initially a Moroccan initiative that the USA is supporting.

Touching on bilateral relations, the US official cited "deep political and economic relations" and US endeavors to develop relations with Morocco. He added that both countries are endeavoring for peace, stability and prosperity in the region, mainly in the Maghreb.

Indyk hoped that trade and investments between Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia would increase to form a basis for regional integration as the USA is predicting a promising future for regional cooperation that will be profitable to the three countries.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco would accept referendum postponement, if it guarantees all its demands   (2/19/1999)
  U.S. official meets Moroccan communication minister   (10/5/1998)
  Morocco hopes Baker can relaunch UN Sahara settlement plan   (10/3/1998)

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