Algeria uses Sahara to settle scores with Morocco (international official)
Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 12/2/2002

A Representative of the International Human Rights Federation (IHRF) has blamed Algeria for using the Sahara issue and the Polisario to settle scores with Morocco.

"It has become clear and obvious for the IHRF that Algeria makes a political use of the Sahara issue and of the Polisario to settle scores with Morocco," said Antoine Madelin, IHRF delegate to the United Nations in Geneva.

The official, who was interviewed by MAP bureau in Geneva, deplored the obstacles sowed by Algeria to impede any objective investigation of the situation of refugees in the Polisario camps of Tindouf, south-western Algeria.

"While Morocco makes the door wide open (for human rights organizations), I can't see any reason for Algeria to refuse to do the same," said Madelin. "Algeria must open the doors of its jails, as Morocco already did," he insisted.

The official recalled that the Algerian authorities had turned down five requests by the international human rights body to visit Tindouf.

"Our organization has identified Algeria as the obstacle to any objective and earnest investigation of the human rights situation in the camps of Tindouf," he said.

Madelin accused Algeria of denigrating Sahrawis who already fled the camps and joined Morocco and who made poignant testimonies on the blatant human rights violations committed by the Polisario in Tindouf.

"In this Sahara issue, Algeria gives the impression to play the role of protector and defender of the Polisario, but it has become clear that Algiers uses this issue to settle scores with Morocco," he said.

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