Sahara: No referendum without all Sahrawis, speaker
Morocco-Sweden, Politics, 5/3/2000

The speaker of the Moroccan House of Representatives (lower house of parliament) on Tuesday renewed Morocco's position refusing the referendum in the Sahara without the participation of all Sahrawis.

Morocco will remain attached to the referendum and to the United Nations settlement plan as well as to its unshakable position calling for the participation of all Sahrawis without exception in the vote, Abdelouahed Radi said at a meeting with the visiting vice-speaker of the Swedish parliament.

The referendum, proposed by Morocco in the early 1980s, is to decide whether the Sahara-- a former Spanish colony retrieved by Morocco in 1975-- sets up on its own, as claimed by the Algeria-backed Polisario, or remains part of Morocco.

The vote has been repeatedly postponed due to disputes over the registration of would-be voters.

Radi underlined that Morocco, being convinced of the legitimacy of its cause, is rightfully entitled to endeavor to win the stakes of the referendum.

The vice-speaker of the Swedish Parliament said the meeting with Radi helped shed light on some questions related to the Sahara issue. She also voiced admiration for the development scored by Morocco at all levels.

The Swedish official held similar talks with speaker of the chamber of advisors (upper house) on issues related to Moroccan territorial integrity and ways to enhance cooperation between Morocco and Sweden.

Previous Stories:
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  Swedish diplomat visits Laayoune   (10/20/1999)

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