Bush: There is no Crisis Between Rabat and Washington Because of UN Row
PERSISMA, Rabat – The American ambassador Dwight Bush, confirmed on Thursday that relations between the United States and the kingdom have not suffered from a “diplomatic crisis” and that the U.S. will continue cooperating with Rabat in all fields despite Morocco’s ongoing row with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
In response to a question by Hespress, the ambassador to Rabat said the U.S.’ position on the Sahara “remains unchanged” and supports the autonomy plan presented by Morocco in 2007 as a “serious and credible” solution to the territorial dispute.
The autonomy plan would allow the local residents of the Western Sahara, or the Sahrawis, to practice self-governance on regional issues under the sovereignty of the Moroccan flag.
Bush made the comments on the sidelines of his participation in the 5th edition of the Aircraft Exhibition, which allowed the U.S. to present its weapon industry’s newest products. The exhibition also included an awards ceremony for troops who have demonstrated American leadership in Africa.
The ambassador described his country’s relationship with Morocco as “strong” and added that the kingdom’s recent search for new allies in Russia and China does not deny the U.S.-Morocco relationship opportunities to continue growing economically and politically.
“There are a lot of American companies that care about investing in Morocco, firstly, to enter the Moroccan markets and secondly, to enter broader African markets,” Bush said. “[The United States] turns to King Mohammed VI to make Morocco the door opening the African Continent. We consider this possibility real and we support [the king].”
Though U.S. claims its support of Morocco’s stance regarding the Western Sahara has largely been “consistent,” large sectors of Moroccans are frustrated that the transatlantic partnership did not translate in a clear US position of support for Morocco. (Zainab Calcuttawala)
