US ambassador: Washington supports Morocco-Algeria dialogue on Sahara issue

US ambassador to Rabat, Thomas Riley, voiced Wednesday, support to dialogue between Morocco and Algeria, "two important countries," for the settlement of Sahara issue.

Algeria is militarily and economically backing the Polisario separatists who claim separation of Morocco's southern provinces, known as the Sahara, a former Spanish colony retrieved by Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid accord with Spain and Mauritania.

Riley stressed in an interview with the Tangiers-based radio station Medi-1, voiced support to a solution that is accepted by all concerned countries, voicing hope to see Morocco and Algeria launch a dialogue to work out a solution "together," with the support of the United States, Spain and France.

The diplomat recalled a statement of U.S. President George W. Bush, affirming that no settlement will be imposed for the Sahara issue.

Concerning the Status of major non-NATO ally granted by the US to Morocco, Riley said it is a recognition of Morocco's importance and of the friendship binding the two countries.

Touching on the free trade agreement signed between Morocco and the United States on June 15, and whose act was signed by president Bush this Tuesday, the ambassador said it has many advantages to the kingdom, adding that the two parties should work together to draw utmost benefit from it.

For Riley, one of the opportunities that the deal, to be enacted in 2005, will bring, is drawing US investors in the Moroccan market and promoting the creation of jobs. He called the two parties to be innovative, citing the example of the Argan oil, which he described as a high-potential export product, and tourism, saying US businessmen are weighing tourism projects in Morocco.

Evoking textile and agriculture, the diplomat stressed the important investment opportunities they offer, and which the two countries have to explore. It takes work, and with the support of our experts, I think we can manage it, he said.

The free trade agreement with Morocco is the first ever signed with an African country, and the second with an Arab one, after Jordan.