Mr. Khalihenna Ould Errachid, Council chairman expressed its great satisfaction over the talks which was an opportunity for him and for the delegation accompanying him, to explain to various interlocutors, the Council's composition and functions entrusted to it, as well as a number of special topics such as engagement required by the autonomy project proposed by Morocco.
He stressed that the U.S. administration officials and Congress members, both Republicans and Democrats, expressed "understanding" of the issue of autonomy project, which they considered identical "to the regulations and standards" applied internationally in some Western countries such as Germany, Spain and Italy.
During the talks, which took place at the congress described by Ould Errachid as "friendly and frank", influential members of the Congress expressed their appreciation for the autonomy project proposed by His Majesty the King, stressing that this method corresponds with the ideas and democratic principles recognized internationally, and is a "positive contribution" to settle the Sahara issue.
During the various meetings attended by Morocco's ambassador to the United States, Mr. Aziz Mekouar, and held by the Council delegation with Democratic and Republican members at the US administration, including Mr. Elliott Abrams Deputy Presidential Adviser for National Security, Mr. Gordon Gray, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Middle East in charge if the Maghreb, officials of non-governmental organizations, including "Brooking
Institution" and the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Mr. Khalihenna explained the philosophy of autonomy proposed by Morocco.
He noted, in this connection, that the autonomy proposal will enable the Saharan population to benefit from all their political, economic, social and cultural rights, and will allow Morocco consolidate its sovereignty over its southern provinces in accordance with international legitimacy.
Mr. Ould Errachid said that autonomy proposed by Morocco, which is a unique project of its kind in Africa and the Arab world, would pave the way for construction of the Maghreb, thus meeting the aspirations of the peoples of the region, which is delayed by the conflict fabricated from remnants of the Cold War.
Mr. Khalihenna explained how the conflict broke out and the initiatives undertaken by the United Nations to find a settlement and the reasons why the self-determination referendum in Western Sahara is not possible, and that the autonomy plan for the southern provinces is a project aimed at achieving unity and reconciliation, not division, and based on dialogue, negotiation and compromise.
He explained that the proposed autonomy would be useful not only for the Sahara and other Maghreb countries, but also for the total region and the entire African continent. The delegation of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs, which includes Mr. Khalihenna Ould Errachid, Maouelainin Ben Khalihenna, Secretary General, Mrs. Kulthum Khayti, Gajmoula Ben Abbi, Moulay Hsna Cherif, Abdelaziz Aba, Othman Aila, Omar Bouida Khaddad Moussaoui, Ali Salem Chakkaf, and Moulay Ahmed Moghaizlat, took part also in a round table organized by the Arab Maghreb Center for Contemporary Arab Studies at Georgetown University.
It also held meetings with members of the Moroccan community in the Washington area. During this visit to the Federal Capital of America, Mr. Khalihenna talked to many American media, as well as foreign journalists accredited in Washington.