Sahrawi delegation explains dangers of Baker plan to EU officials
Morocco-European Union, Politics, 9/27/2003

A delegation of Sahrawi notables representing populations of Moroccan southern provinces explained in Brussel Thursday to several European Union officials the dangers of the plan of the personal envoy of the United Nations' Secretary General for the Sahara, James Baker.

Baker's Plan does not only represent a danger for Sahrawis but for the whole region in that it might trigger inter-tribe wars and cause instability, the delegation told EU officials, reiterating Sahrawis' rebuff of the plan.

The leaders of the Algeria-backed Polisario separatist group that is claiming the independence of Moroccan southern provinces have been imposing their diktat on the sequestered in Tindouf camps (southern Algeria) who only look forward to joining their homeland, member of the consultative council in charge of Sahrawi affairs, Khalil Dkhil, told reporters at the end of meetings with officials at the Italian chairmanship of the EU and EU council.

Later, Dkhil told a press conference that many families were fleeing the camps in southern Algeria to return to Morocco.

He called on European NGOs to inquire about the aids they send to the populations in the camps and the way they are used by Polisario.

The settlement of the Sahara issue consists in the Moroccan democratic framework and the active participation of all Sahrawis, Dkhil insisted, underlining that the fact that Morocco is divided into 16 regions offers all guarantees for a full participation of all the people in the construction of the country.

The European officials expressed comprehension of the delegation's viewpoint and promised to submit reports to EU's fifteen member states.

Previous Stories:
  No solution to Sahara issue outside Morocco's kingty, insist Sahrawi dignitaries   (9/25/2003)
  EU lauds modernization and openness drive in Morocco   (9/13/2003)
  Southern Moroccan delegation tours Europe   (9/12/2003)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search