 The recognition by the United States of the full sovereignty of Morocco over its Sahara is a “natural development” of the stances of the US administrations since the beginning of the 2000s, said Monday in Rabat the US ambassador to the Kingdom, David Fischer.
Speaking at a press briefing organized on the eve of the end of his mission in Morocco, the diplomat recalled that the Clinton administration had initiated reflection on a solution, while the Obama administration had started to include the Sahara in the assistance program for Morocco, adding that the US decision to recognize the Moroccanness of the Sahara is thus “a completely natural development”.
Asked about the possible stance of the administration of President-elect Joe Biden regarding the Sahara issue, Fischer said he was "convinced that we will all be satisfied".
Fischer, moreover, said he was “very honoured” to be the first U.S. ambassador to visit the Moroccan Sahara, "after my government redrew our official map to recognize Morocco’s true borders."
"We strongly support the autonomy plan, and we will work with the United Nations and all stakeholders to achieve the desired result," said the diplomat, adding that "several countries in Europe strongly believe that the United States and the UN will eventually find a solution" to the Moroccan Sahara issue.
There is, however, a process to follow in moving forward, he noted.
Regarding Moroccan-Israeli relations, Fischer noted that the latest developments in this direction “are the result of long-term work”, adding that the teams of the two countries are working hard for the opening of the respective embassies once the administrative and legislative formalities have been completed.
The diplomat also stressed that the Israeli-Palestinian issue must be approached "with great tact".
“Everyone agrees to support the two-state solution to move forward. We are eager to see progress in this direction, and to explore new ideas, and we support the United Nations in these processes,” he said.
|