Morocco says it will constructively study Baker's proposals
Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 1/15/2003

Moroccan Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister, Mohamed Benaissa, on Tuesday said Morocco will study "in a constructive spirit" the proposals made by James Baker, Personal Envoy of the United Nations Secretary General for the Sahara.

Baker arrived Tuesday in Morocco, part of a tour in the Maghreb. He was received the same day by King Mohammed VI in Agadir.

Benaissa, who attended King Mohammed VI's meeting with Baker, said Morocco appreciates the efforts made by the U.N. envoy, who enjoys credibility and has a full understanding of the Sahara issue.

Benaissa told the press Baker presented to the king a draft proposal within the mission entrusted to him by the Security Council in accordance with a resolution passed last July and aimed at finding a political solution to the issue.

"Morocco emphasizes its full readiness to cooperate with the United Nations and renews attachment to international legality within the respect of the Kingdom's national sovereignty and territorial integrity," said Benaissa.

Morocco is the first leg of a Maghreban tour that will also take Baker to Algiers, Tindouf and Nouakchott.

A United Nations' spokesperson had said Baker is to propose a political solution to the Sahara issue.

James Baker, a former US Secretary of State, had proposed a framework agreement to settle the Sahara issue, giving the Sahrawis a large autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty.

Previous Stories:
  Sahrawi association decries human rights violations by Polisario   (1/14/2003)
  Morocco says it is ready to listen to U.N. envoy's proposals on Sahara   (1/10/2003)
  James Baker tours maghreb next week   (1/7/2003)

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