Morocco committed to work with UNHCR to loosen the vice on Moroccans held by Polisario
Morocco-UN, Politics, 12/20/2003

The Moroccan government has voiced commitment to implement the humanitarian measures proposed by the United Nations High Commissioner for refuges (UNHCR) to "loosen the vice" on Moroccans native of the Sahara, held against their will by the separatist movement "Polisario."

A press release published Friday by the Moroccan ministry of foreign affairs and cooperation said: "the Kingdom of Morocco, deeply committed to the respect of the International Humanitarian Law, has reiterated, during the technical meeting with a delegation of the UNHCR, held in Rabat on December 19, its commitment to implement the confidence-building measures of purely humanitarian nature, proposed by the High Commissioner, with a view to loosen the vice on the populations sequestrated in the Camps of Tindouf" (Southwestern Algeria) by the Polisario separatist movement that is claiming independence of the Moroccan Sahara, known as Western Sahara.

Morocco, the press release went on, "greets the open, responsible and constructive nature of discussions with the UNHCR delegation on the modalities to implement these measures."

While voicing satisfaction at the outcome of this meeting, "the Kingdom of Morocco confirms its full disposal to continue to cooperate with the UN and the HCR for the implementation of these confidence-building measures."

The UN/HCR delegation to the technical meeting was led by Alavaro De Soto, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for the Sahara, while the Moroccan delegation was headed by General Secretary of the ministry of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Rachad Bouhlal.

The Polisario, backed by neighboring Algeria, has so far refused to allow the tens of thousands of natives of the Sahara from returning to Morocco, their motherland. It has also brushed aside all international appeals for the release of more than 600 Moroccan prisoners of war held captive despite the ceasefire proclaimed in 1991 under UN supervision.

Algeria, which provides financial and military support to the separatist movement, has so far denied any involvement in this dispute and refused any dialogue with Morocco on the future of this territory.

Previous Stories:
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  Human rights associations hail EU decision to investigate aid embezzlement in Tindouf camps   (12/11/2003)
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