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La Voz de Galicia: French foundation slams detention of Moroccan POWs in Algeria
Algeria-France, Politics, 8/16/2003
"France Liberte" foundation drew up a 52-page report wherein it denounces the harsh detention conditions of some 1,157 Moroccan prisoners of war who are held in the camps of Tindouf (southern Algeria) as well as the embezzlement of international humanitarian aid destined to Sahrawi populations.
This came Thursday in the independent Spanish daily "La Voz de Galicia" whose correspondent in Rabat, Paco Soto, said "France Liberte," which defends the self-determination of the Sahara and has good relations with the Polisario separatist group, visited Tindouf last April 15-25 and met nearly 700 Moroccan prisoners of war.
"France Liberte" said these prisoners, held since 1976, are submitted to "forced labor like slaves and are used as an illegal manpower."
According to the foundation's report, "Algeria has committed serious breaches by not liberating the Moroccan prisoners of war." For its part, the Polisario (a guerrilla movement claiming the independence of Moroccan southern provinces) is "accused of murder, torture," and of "submitting some POWs to biological experiences."
The document also denounces the "execution and mutilation" of the prisoners.
The foundation, led by Danielle Mitterand, spouse of former French president, Fran¨ois Mitterand, said it is obliged to halt its assistance to development projects in favor of Sahrawi refugees. It also called other institutions and organizations to stop their help to the Polisario and Tindouf prisoners and to conduct an investigation on this issue, recommending the UN to send an international mission to Tindouf.
Previous Stories:
Foundation for new Algerian- French relations
(3/4/2003)
Chirac starts a historical visit to Algeria
(3/3/2003)
La Tribune: Balkhadem stresses strategic relations with France
(2/28/2003)
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