Extension of UN sahara mission mandate confirms Security Council's attachment to political solution, official
Morocco-UN, Politics, 10/31/2003

The extension of the United Nations Sahara Mission mandate (known by its French acronym MINURSO) to January 31 2004 confirms the Security Council's attachment to a "negotiated political solution accepted by all parties," said Wednesday Moroccan delegate minister for foreign affairs and cooperation, Taib Fassi Fihri.

By extending the UN mandate, "the Security Council expressed clearly the validity of Resolution 1495" that backs the principle that no solution will be imposed and that any settlement should first be negotiated and accepted by all parties, underlined Fihri at the question-time session of the House of Representatives that discussed the dangers underlying the latest report of the UN chief.

According to Fihri, the resolution was merely a "technical" decision as the council preferred not to indulge into considerations and details of the latest report of the Secretary General.

"After the 1991 settlement plan failed, and it was obvious that it can not be implemented, the UN has been since 2001 endeavoring to find a political solution (.) within respect of the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Morocco," underscored the minister.

Fihri stressed that the adoption of the new Resolution is the result of "intensive efforts" by the Moroccan government, political parties and the civil society to uphold the Moroccan position.

As part of these efforts, the official cited a letter sent to the Security Council in which Morocco calls the council to shoulder its responsibility with regards attempts to impose a solution on Morocco and draws its attention to the serious efforts threatening the international community efforts. Likewise, he went on the government and the foreign affairs ministry officially expressed Morocco's refusal of any solution that undermines the Kingdom's territorial unity, as well the mobilization of Moroccan political parties and non-governmental organizations to defend the Moroccan stance.

He added that Morocco "is strong with its legitimate rights and national unanimity on the issue, and is determined to "firmly defend its national assets and consolidate its territorial integrity."

Previous Stories:
  Security Council extends UN Sahara Mission term for three months   (10/30/2003)
  Morocco pleads for adoption of a UN reform strategy   (10/29/2003)
  Morocco-EU informal working group on 'advanced status' to meet early next year   (10/28/2003)

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

Search