Morocco denies it is hindering Sahara settlement plans
Morocco, Politics, 7/18/2003

Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, denied on Wednesday that it was Morocco that is hindering the Sahara issue settlement plans, renewing the Kingdom's readiness "to open a sincere, frank and constructive dialogue to reach a political solution to the conflict'.

The head of the Moroccan diplomacy who was interviewed by "Abu Dhabi" satellite TV channel stressed that a settlement should "guarantee Morocco's territorial integrity and its sovereignty over the whole of its territories and at same time securing to the Moroccan southern provinces inhabitants prerogatives, as agreed upon by the UN secretary general's personal envoy, James Baker, in the framework-agreement."

Benaissa further renewed Morocco's refusal of an item proposed by Baker related to "giving, during a period, to a minority of the southern provinces inhabitants the territory administration, saying this option will undoubtedly lead to strives among tribes, ethnic groups and populations in the region."

He explained that Morocco has also reserves on "the referendum" as this proposal had, in the past, been fruitless. "Why go back to this option, if we are to discuss a political solution that secures to each party its rights and, at the same time, guarantees security and stability?, he wondered. Why bring up again an option on which all parties had reserves and that the United Nations did not succeed to set forth"?, he went on.

Benaissa also praised France, Russia and some non-permanent member countries of the security council for opposing any settlement that would be imposed on parties, stressing that it would be a precedent in the security council history.

He went on that Morocco is carrying on contacts with the USA to convince the US administration that adopting the Baker plan will only lead to more complications and create tension in the region. Benaissa also pointed out that Spain, which is holding the Security Council chairmanship for the month of July, is starting to realize the reality of facts and Rabat is in permanent contact with Spain.

Morocco hopes that Spain will take a stand that would not poison the situation in the region.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco refuses any imposed solution on Sahara issue   (7/17/2003)
  Morocco refuses any imposed solution on Sahara issue   (7/17/2003)
  Paris opposes any solution to Sahara issue without consent of all parties   (7/15/2003)
  Morocco denies news on security council decision over Sahara issue   (7/15/2003)

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