Unlike Algeria, international committee does not back Baker plan on Sahara, Moroccan diplomat
Algeria-Morocco, Politics, 10/18/2003

Debates of the UN general assembly's 4th committee clearly demonstrated that, unlike Algeria, the international community is far from supporting the plan proposed by James Baker, the personal envoy of United Nations' chief for the Sahara, said Morocco's ambassador to the UN, Mohamed Bennouna.

Algeria had to withdraw (during the debate) a draft resolution aiming at gaining the committee's support to Baker's Plan, Bennouna told the press after the UN committee adopted a draft resolution that "takes note of resolution 1495 of the security council and request the secretary general and his personal envoy to pursue their efforts to bring the parties together in order to reach a mutually acceptable political settlement to the Sahara conflict."

"The international community considers the dispute as a regional one, for which a final and lasting political solution should be found through negotiation between Morocco and Algeria," explained the Moroccan diplomat.

"Morocco, for its part, expressed readiness to embark on such process of negotiations, the conclusion of which will permit the initiation of the development of the Maghreb region while respecting the territorial integrity of all its member states," he went on.

He also recalled the demand of the UN Security Council to the Polisario separatist group to immediately release all Moroccan prisoners it is holding in inhuman conditions in Tindouf camps, southern Algeria.

Morocco had rejected the latest Baker plan because it undermines its territorial integrity.

Previous Stories:
  Former Polisario official says adequate solution to Sahara issue lies in Moroccan kingty   (10/17/2003)
  El Pais: Moroccan POWs in Tindouf confirm French NGO's Report   (10/17/2003)
  Morocco wants solution to Sahara that respects Morroco's legitimate claim   (10/15/2003)

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