Although the US State Department statement did not indicate this, reliable sources confirmed to Hespress that Secretary of State Anthony Blinken told his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita during Friday's talks that the Biden administration does not intend to backtrack on Trump's recognition of the Moroccan Sahara.
Informed sources said, in a statement to Lehsers, that "Minister Blinken confirmed that there is no retreat from the American decision to recognize the Moroccan Sahara."
The statements of the foreign ministries of Morocco and the United States did not address the issue of the Sahara conflict, which raised several questions about the continued ambiguity of the Biden administration's position on the conflict.
Our sources stressed that the US Secretary of State made clear during these talks that took place today, the first of its kind, that “Washington does not intend to retreat from the presidential decree issued by Donald Trump.”
Press sources from Tel Aviv reported that Israel had expressed concern over the possibility of the Biden administration withdrawing from the tripartite agreement signed between Morocco, America and Israel on December 22, 2020, including Washington’s recognition of the Moroccan Sahara.
For his part, the American "Axios" website confirmed that Blinken assured Minister Bourita during the call that took place today that America will not back down from recognizing the Moroccan Sahara, noting that this matter was part of the deal to resume relations between Morocco and Israel.
According to their sources, American sources revealed that about ten days ago, Biden’s Middle East advisor, Brett McGurk, spoke to Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and gave the impression that “there will be no change in the US policy on Western Sahara.”
Blinken welcomed the resumption of official contacts between Morocco and Israel, noting that these relations "will have long-term benefits", and affirmed "the pioneering role and credible work that Morocco is doing in order to reach lasting peace in the Middle East."
According to a statement issued by Ned Price, a spokesman for the US State Department, Blinken referred to "the long-term bilateral relationship and common interests based on shared values to achieve regional peace, security and prosperity."
The two ministers discussed "opportunities for increased cooperation in Africa to enhance economic prosperity and stability." Blinken also praised the key role of Morocco in promoting stability in the Sahel region and Libya.
The US State Department praised King Mohammed VI’s reforms over the past two decades, while Blinken encouraged Morocco to continue "implementing these reforms and reaffirming its commitment to protecting and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms."
The US Secretary of State also praised King Mohammed VI's leadership in projects to combat climate change and invest in renewable energies, and encouraged Morocco to help promote green economic growth and development in Africa.
From: Hespress.com
0 Comments