Washington -- President Clinton and Morocco's King Mohammed VI of Morocco discussed Africa at an hour-long one-on-one meeting in the Oval Office June 20 with only note takers present, White House Press Secretary Joe Lockhart told reporters.

"They discussed Africa as a whole, the U.S. role in helping Africa, as far as economic reform and dealing with the many issues the countries there face. They had a serious discussion of Western Sahara, and also the King spent some time discussing with the President his vision of Morocco in the future, as far as expanding human rights and democracy," Lockhart said.

On the Western Sahara territorial dispute, the United States supports "the effort that the United Nations has undertaken for some time now to find a solution to this, and we'll continue to work through the U.N.," Lockhart said.

After that hour, the two leaders proceeded to an expanded meeting in the nearby Cabinet Room with about 10 or 11 people from each side joining in that meeting, Lockhart said. There, "they had a discussion of bilateral economic issues, a discussion on economic reform in Morocco, a short discussion on the Middle East peace process, and then they finished with a short discussion on our bilateral military relationship."

The 36-year old leader of the North African nation is on a four-day visit to the United States -- his first state visit here. He became King the day his father, King Hassan, died, on July 23, 1999, after a 38-year reign.

At midday, Mohammed VI had lunch at the State Department with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who praised him for "honoring the legacy of his father by continuing to play a positive role" in support of the Middle East peace process.

Earlier in the day, King Mohammed VI and his sister, Princess Lalla Meryem, were welcomed at an official arrival ceremony on the South Lawn, replete with the playing of the national anthems of each country, reviewing of the troops by the two leaders, and a 21-gun salute.

With the First Lady on the campaign trail in New York, Chelsea Clinton, 20, home from college, took her mother's place at the formal welcoming ceremony.

Attending the ceremony were U.S. government and Moroccan officials, as well as members of Morocco's diplomatic community in Washington.

Clinton, in his remarks, noted the historic ties between the two countries.

"In 1777, the first nation in the world to recognize the United States was the Kingdom of Morocco," he said.

"Ten years later, our two countries approved a treaty of peace and friendship, which today remains the longest unbroken treaty of its kind in all history. In the days since, we have stood together to live up to that treaty's ideals and to secure its blessings for others."

Clinton told the young King that he was "proud to walk with the people of Morocco on that sad day last July, when we crossed the city of Rabat to lay your father to rest. Providence called upon you to be one of the voices of a new generation of Arab leaders. And you have responded with courage and conviction, healing old wounds, promoting democracy, lifting those left behind, touching the hearts of your people."

Morocco, Clinton said, "is a sterling example of Islamic tolerance; a force for peace rooted in the common values of humanity. In the 20th century, Morocco helped to make the world safe for democracy. In the 21st century, let us together make it also safe for diversity."

"Your Majesty, we are honored that you are here. We are honored by the way you represent your nation and the potential we have to build on our rich, long partnership. Welcome to the White House. Welcome to America."

King Mohammed VI said he would "fervently promote the Moroccan-American friendship which my ancestors had the inspiration to instigate, and which we have upheld since the birth of your great country."

He said for his first state visit to the United States "and from within the White House, my first thoughts are of my father, this great King who worked tirelessly to strengthen the long-standing friendship between America and Morocco.

"It is with great emotion and gratitude that I shall always remember that you, Mr. President, with the First Lady, your wife, Mrs. Hillary Clinton, and your daughter, Chelsea, at your side, made a point of accompanying the late King to his final resting place."

The evening of June 20, President and Mrs. Clinton were to honor King Mohammed VI and Princess Lalla Meryem with a State Dinner at the White House.

All four were to receive guests at the base of the Grand Staircase in the Grand Foyer of the White House. After that, the President and Mrs. Clinton were to escort King Mohammed VI and Princess Lalla Meryem into the South Lawn Pavilion for dinner.

Following the dinner, guests were to be entertained in the South Lawn Pavilion by Rock & Roll Hall of Famers and Grammy Award winners, Earth, Wind & Fire.

The official gift for Morocco's King from President Clinton on the occasion of his state visit to Washington, D.C., is a Tiffany & Co. handcrafted sterling silver cache pot with an engraved inscription to King Mohammed VI, a White House press release said.

The official gift for members of the Moroccan delegation is a 12-inch Tiffany & Co. pewter Chippendale tray with an inscription commemorating the state visit to Washington, D.C., of His Majesty Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, and Princess Lalla Meryem.

The King's gift to the President is a dagger decorated with gold and encrusted with diamonds and emeralds, the White House release said.

Princess Lalla Meryem's gift to the First Lady is a hand-painted ceramic pitcher with gold lip and handle. This gift was designed by King Mohammed VI, the release said.

(The Washington File is a product of the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. )