Moroccan Sahara issue: Morocco takes good note of lack of reference to settlement plan in new U.N. resolution
Morocco-UN, Politics, 8/1/2003

Morocco on Thursday said it "takes good note" of the terms of the new United Nations Security Council resolution, particularly the lack of reference to the settlement plan, and renewed sincere readiness for frank dialogue with all parties concerned.

This came in a release by the Moroccan foreign affairs and cooperation department, made public shortly after the adoption by the Security of a new resolution extending the mandate of the MINURSO (UN mission in the Sahara) until next October 31.

"Taking good note of the terms of the Security Council Resolution, and, in particular, the lack of reference to the settlement plan, the Kingdom of Morocco would like to recall its full and sincere readiness, as expressed since September 2000, to start a frank dialogue will the parties involved with a view to reaching a final and realistic political solution to this (Sahara) issue," the department said.

Regarding the "Peace Plan," proposed by James Baker, Special Envoy of the U.N. Secretary-General, Morocco renewed the major objections and the special observations that it has been expressing since February 2003, particularly those related to the provisions inspired from the 1991 settlement plan, whose inapplicability were duly and repeatedly pointed out by the United Nations over the past three years.

All these considerations, the foreign department said, made the Kingdom of Morocco mark, on due time, its rejection of the "Peace Plan," identify certain intrinsic flaws and note the major risks that several of these provisions entail for stability and security in the region.

The foreign department equally noted the commitment of the international community to continue efforts with a view to reaching a political solution, a solution necessarily negotiated and accepted by the parties, before its implementation.

This is a fundamental point, which is in perfect conformity with the spirit and the letter of the United Nations Charter, particularly Chapter VI, which sets the principles of conflicts peaceful settlement, the department said.

Morocco also registered with satisfaction the pressing call of the Security Council for the release, without delay nor conditions, of Moroccan prisoners detained for years on Algerian soil.

Morocco equally thanked U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, his Personal Envoy, James Baker, for the efforts they exert to reach a political solution to the issue.

The Kingdom renewed its full readiness to continue its full and sincere cooperation with the U.N to reach a final solution to this regional conflict.

Previous Stories:
  Disagreement persists in security council over Baker plan on sahara   (7/30/2003)
  Security Council members disagree over draft resolution to support Bakers' plan on Sahara   (7/25/2003)
  Most Security Council members oppose Baker's plan on Sahara   (7/18/2003)

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