Autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the only compromise solution to the Sahara issue, said Professor Ira William Zartman of the American Johns Hopkins, University calling on the United States and the European Union to play a greater role in helping resolve this regional conflict.

The Moroccan autonomy initiative offers"a basis for negotiations to reach a reasonable negotiated solution between the parties, within the framework of the United Nations," said, on Wednesday, spokesman for the French Foreign ministry, Eric Chevallier.

French deputy and mayor for Woippy, François Grosdidier, highlighted, here Monday, the relevance of the autonomy initiative proposed by Morocco to resolve, for good and all, the Sahara question, describing it as a "wise and generous" option that provides an "honourable way out" for all the parties.

The United Kingdom called, here Thursday, on the parties to the Sahara issue to engage in the process of negotiations, brokered by the UN, in a spirit of realism and compromise to reach a political and mutually acceptable solution to this issue.

The Gambian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Omar Alieu Touray, characterized Tuesday in Rabat, as "reasonable and responsible" the Moroccan autonomy initiative as a solution to the Sahara issue, expressing "total" support of his country to the Kingdom on this issue.