Creating small entities in the Sahara would be a dangerous precedent, FM
Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 8/11/2003

Creating small entities in the Sahara "would be adventurous and a dangerous precedent" because if separatism demons are unleashed, no country would be spared until the Red Sea, Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohammed Benaissa, said.

The minister, who was guest at the program "special meeting" aired Friday by "Al Arabia" satellite channel, said if the Arab Maghreb (UMA, muetering Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Mauritania and Libya) comes to adopt this vision, we would see no less than thirty states would emerge."

Benaissa called for support to states' sovereignty for a better management of regional affairs, to avoid the creation of factitious entities without future nor resources. He also called for efforts to consolidate the UMA to open borders between the countries of the union.

The settlement that would be satisfactory to Morocco and in line with the Maghreb region's orientations at the strategic, economic and civilizational level is no other than "regional grouping," he said.

On Negotiations with Algeria for a settlement to the Sahara issue, Benaissa said Morocco has always voiced readiness to start a genuine, franc and constructive dialogue with all parties to reach a political settlement, adding that "The Polisario is on a neighbor country's territory. It is an armed group that aims to attempt to Morocco's sovereignty and integrity," he said, adding that separatists are supported by all means, and the Algerian diplomacy is mobilized to defend Polisario's thesis."

Algeria, which supports the right to self-determination, has been betrayed by its proposal to partition the Sahara territory, the minister said, recalling the kingdom's objections and reserves in messages to the UN secretary general and his personal envoy for the Sahara, James Baker. "We cannot adhere to a plan that has not been submitted to us, that has not been negotiated by us and that was not been subject to an agreement with Baker."

He also recalled that in its final phase, the Baker plan calls for the holding of a referendum where the region's population would make their choice. This option, he said, has been sought for the last twelve years in vain for the parties could not reach an agreement over voters' identity, the return of Moroccans sequestered in Tindouf, Algeria, and the details of the referendum organization, besides other technical aspects over which the parties did not agree, he said.

Morocco had accepted the Baker plan at first because it was based on international legality and historical realities and deemed that the political settlement should be based on Moroccan sovereignty and territorial unity, while granting important prerogatives to the region's population, the foreign minister, said.

"This is an essential element in Morocco's constitution that supports regionalization and allows the state to grant such prerogative in managing ordinary home affairs and those not affecting its sovereignty."

On the US position supporting the Baker plan, Benaissa said that through such support, Washington has discovered that the project, which is supported neither by Morocco not by the international community, cannot be imposed, especially that it is about a process affecting national sovereignty, independence and unity of a state.

The Moroccan official described as surprising Spain's position. "Spain, which chaired the Security Council during the month of July was active in an unusual manner for a security council chair. It has even invited and received the president of the "Polisario" front, a precedent, on ground that it ensured the chairmanship of the council."

The related action of Spanish diplomacy in several capitals of the world contradicts the neutrality a security council chair must stick to, Benaissa said, voicing hope that Madrid will not persist with this attitude, that it respects what it calls constructive neutrality and that it takes into account Morocco's true desire to establish a genuine partnership with it, as neighbor country and as member of the European Union.

Previous Stories:
  Baker Sahara plan holds great dangers for Maghreb, Algerian labor party warns   (8/8/2003)
  Morocco's Islamist party points accusing finger to Algeria over Sahara   (8/7/2003)
  Human rights situation in Algerian rear base under fire   (8/7/2003)

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