UN Security Council backs Annan's proposal for political solution to Sahara issue
Morocco, Politics, 6/30/2001

The UN Security Council on Friday expressed full support for the framework agreement proposed by Secretary-General Kofi Annan for a political solution to the Sahara issue.

In a resolution, presented jointly by France, Russia, the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland and the USA, the Council extended by five months the mandate of the MINURSO-- a United Nations mission entrusted with organizing a referendum for self-determination in the Sahara--up to November 30, 2001.

Under the resolution, adopted unanimously, the Council fully supported Annan's efforts to invite the parties to meet directly or through proximity talks under the auspices of his Personal Envoy, former US Secretary of State James Baker III, to discuss the proposed draft Framework Agreement and any other proposal on a political solution to be made by the parties to reach an accord acceptable by all.

Morocco's permanent representative to the United Nations said the resolution adopted by UN Security Council on the Sahara issue is a clear mandate to the United Nations Secretary General to start talks with the parties (Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and the Polisario) based on the frame-work agreement.

The resolution adopted Friday by the Security Council on the Sahara issue "gives a clear mandate to United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, and his personal envoy, James Baker, to conduct under their auspices, future negotiations with the parties (Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and the Polisario) based on the frame-work agreement," Mohamed Bennouna told MAP news agency.

In the resolution, presented jointly by France, Russia, the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland and the USA, the Security Council expressed full support for the framework agreement proposed by Annan for a political solution to the Sahara issue.

Bennouna underlined that the resolution "recognizes that the draft frame-work agreement, based on the transfer of certain prerogatives within the Moroccan sovereignty, does not exclude self-determination, but rather allows for its achievement."

The resolution also "requests the liberation, without any delay, of members of the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces detained for more than 20 years," he said.

Even though Morocco is not fully satisfied with the draft frame-work agreement, it accepts to consider it as a valid basis for negotiations, said Bennouna, adding "it is in a constructive spirit and in good faith that the Kingdom of Morocco will implement the resolution" adopted by the Security Council.

The diplomat voiced hope all the parties will seize this last chance for peace in the Maghreb, respond positively to the call of the U.N Security Council and resolutely engage in the negotiations.

Previous Stories:
  Moroccan papers criticize Algeria's refusal of UN new proposals to settle Sahara issue   (6/28/2001)
  Moroccan official in women's international socialist meeting in Lisbon   (6/28/2001)
  UN Security Council holds closed session on latest proposals on Sahara   (6/27/2001)

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