Seeing no progress in Sahara issue, annan recommends extension of UN mission
Morocco, Politics, 2/22/2001

United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, recommended on Monday a two-month extension of MINURSO, UN mission deployed in the Sahara since 1991 to supervise cease-fire and preparations for the holding of a referendum.

In a report to the Security Council, Annan cites deterioration of relations between the parties to the dispute over Western Sahara and deplores no progress in the implementation of the settlement plan.

Annan writes "a climate of increased mistrust and bitterness has set in between the parties and this is undermining the agreed cease-fire regime."

"Regrettably, I cannot report any progress towards overcoming the obstacles to the implementation of the settlement plan," the secretary-general reports.

In the light of this state of affairs, he recommends a two-month extension, until 30 April, of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), which was deployed in April 1991 to prepare for a consultation in which people would choose to remain within Morocco, or set up their own independent state, as claimed by the Algeria-backed Polisario.

Annan reports that his personal envoy, James Baker III, is now able to fully re-engage in trying to assist the parties in finding an early, durable and agreed resolution to their dispute, after having been unable to follow the matter closely in recent months due to the US presidential elections.

As an instance of tensions between the two parties, Annan recalls last month's Paris-Dakar rally sporting event, which planned to enter Western Sahara. The Polisario separatists warned of resuming military activities on the day the racers cross the area, but, after mediation by third countries, they finally renounced their threats.

The UN Security Council is expected to discuss the Secretary-General's report during consultations later this week. MINURSO's mandate expires on 28 February.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco renews backing to a referendum with all Sahrawis participating   (2/21/2001)
  Sahrawi tribes call for lifting siege on populations sequestered inTtindouf   (2/19/2001)
  Sudan stresses backing to Morocco's territorial integrity   (2/17/2001)

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