Bush praises King's efforts to consolidate democracy in Morocco

US President George W. Bush on Thursday paid homage to Moroccan King's efforts to consolidate democracy and to actions carried out by the sovereign in matters of economic reforms and social progress.

The US President paid this homage during talks at the White House with King Mohammed VI on bilateral, regional and international issues.

Both leaders voiced satisfaction at the "important and positive evolution" of the two countries relations- since their last meeting in New York in September 2003- as evidenced by the recent signing of a Free Trade Agreement between the two countries and by President Bush's decision to designate Morocco as a major non-NATO ally, as well as by the institutionalisation of a political and strategic dialogue between the two countries.

The two leaders also brought up the issue of the Moroccan southern provinces (Sahara), noting their interest in a negotiated political solution between the different parties that will pave the way for stability and progress in the North African region of the Maghreb.

The Sahara issue has been opposing since 1976 Morocco to the Algeria-backed separatist movement "Polisario" which is seeking to separate the southern provinces from the rest of the Kingdom. The former Spanish colony was retrieved by Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid Accords signed with Spain and Mauritania.

The "dangerous and delicate" situation in the Middle East was also discussed by the two leaders with the monarch, in his capacity as Chairman of the Al Quds Committee- an offshoot of the Organization of Islamic Conference- urging for an efficient implementation by the Quartet (USA, UN, EU, and Russia) of the "Road Map" endorsed by the international community and all parties. He deemed that the Road Map is the only framework to stop violence and pave the way for a resumption of dialogue and henceforth for peace. Any other unilateral measure will only lead to an impasse.

On Iraq, both leaders greeted the recent transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqi interim Government and noted the importance of the international support for the setting up, as soon as possible, of representative institutions likely to ensure the country's reconstruction in security and unity.

After Washington, the monarch flew to New York part of this working visit to the US.