June 30, 2001, 08:15
The Polisario Front independence movement has reaffirmed its "total opposition" to a UN plan which gives broad autonomy to Western Sahara in Morocco, despite a Security Council resolution urging discussions on it.
In a declaration quoted by Algeria's APS news agency yesterday, the Polisario reaffirmed its "total opposition to any approach aiming to bypass the inalienable right of the Saharawi people to auto- determination and independence."
Morocco and the Polisario are fighting over sovereignty in the former Spanish colony, annexed in 1975 by Rabat.
Early yesterday, the UN Security Council urged them to discuss the UN plan, but also decided to keep open the option of a referendum on self-determination.
Movement noting council's decision
In its statement, the movement said it took "note of the council's decision" and expressed "its engagement, without reserve, to co-operate to help apply a UN resolution plan for Western Sahara."
It also said it regretted "that, once again, France in particular had been the biggest supporter of Morocco's colonial policies with all the consequences that it has for peace and stability in the region."
After difficult negotiations yesterday, the 15 members of the Security Council unanimously approved a compromise text that satisfied both Morocco and the Polisario, as well as Algeria, the movement's chief supporter.
UN chief requests a referendum
The council extended the mandate of the UN mission to the Western Sahara for five months till November 30 to organise a referendum, as requested by Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary General.
In a report to the council, Annan said that the extension should be used by the parties to begin a dialogue on autonomy.
The council said "it supports the efforts of the Secretary General to invite all the parties to meet directly or through proximity talks, under the auspices of his personal envoy."
However, the council added, , that "the proposals submitted by the Polisario Front...will be considered."
- Sapa
|
|
