Washington will impose no solution over Sahara issue, ambassador

The United States will not impose any settlement to the Sahara issue opposing Morocco to the Algeria-backed separatist movement "Polisario," said, in Marrakesh Tuesday, the US Ambassador to Rabat.

Washington has reiterated on many occasions that it is not seeking to impose a solution to the almost three decade-old dispute over the former Spanish colony retrieved by Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid Accords signed with Spain and Mauritania.

Thomas T. Riley who was speaking at a news conference also touched on free trade agreement (FTA), concluded on March 2 between his country and the Kingdom. He said the accord will offer fresh opportunities to Moroccan exports and will bring American investments to the kingdom.

Riley added that he has been committed as a businessman before being a diplomat to doubling efforts to increase the volume of US exports and investments in Morocco, notably in textile and new technologies.

Some 120 American companies are currently operating in Morocco, he said, recalling that the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has earmarked US$ 30 million to support and assist the Moroccan economy during the five coming years.