The United States voiced hope that the Algerian-backed separatist movement, Polisario, will engage in discussions on the basis of the Moroccan proposal to grant substantial autonomy to the former Spanish colony, the Sahara, describing it as a realistic starting point likely to lead to a solution to this conflict.

Algeria and Polisario make a selective reading of the Security Council resolutions and totally ignore the fact that the Council had taken note of Morocco's serious and credible efforts, said Moroccan Foreign Minister, Taieb Fassi Fihri.  "There is a contradiction in the approach of Polisario and Algeria" in the sense that they purport to respect the international legality and the Security Council resolutions, but "in a selective way,"  Mr. Fassi Fihri said in an interview with the Moroccan French-speaking daily "Le Matin du Sahara et du Maghreb", published on Saturday.

Morocco, which entered the third round of negotiations on the Sahara, driven by good will, regrets that the other party showed obstinacy by sticking to its previous positions, heedless of the calls made by the international community, said, here Wednesday, Moroccan Interior Minister, Chakib Benmoussa. "Morocco took part in this round, driven by good faith and by a firm will to engage in serious negotiations," Mr. Benmoussa told the press at the end of the third round of UN-sponsored talks that was attended by Morocco, Polisario, Algeria and Mauritania.

Morocco will take part in the fourth round of negotiations in Manhasset, New York "with the same state of mind, and with the will to clarify and explain" the efforts exerted by Morocco through its autonomy initiative, Morocco's Foreign Minister, Taieb Fassi Fihri said here on Wednesday.   "The Security Council resolutions are clear, and the efforts of Morocco were hailed as pertinent and serious," the Minister told the press at the end of the 3rd round of negotiations on the Sahara held between Morocco and the Algerian-backed Polisario separatists, in the presence of neighboring Algeria and Mauritania. 

Morocco and the Algerian-backed Polisario separatists have agreed to meet on March 11 through 13 in Manhasset, New York, for a fourth round of talks on the Sahara, UN Secretary General's Personal Envoy, Peter Van Walsum announced on Wednesday.In a press release issued at the end of the two-day third round of negotiations that have ended a few hours ago in the Greentree Estate, New York, Mr. Van Walsum expressed his intention to "visit the region shortly for in-depth consultations," noting that the parties have welcomed the decision.