12,000 requests of Sahara natives in polisario-controlled camps to visit Morocco
Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 5/10/2004

Hamid Ghabar, Governor in charge of coordination with MINURSO -French acronym for the UN mission in the Sahara- said some 12,000 requests were filed by Sahara natives in the Polisario-controlled Tindouf camps (south-western Algeria) to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to return to Morocco "even for a few days."

Ghabar told the Moroccan TV "TVM" on Friday "the increasing number of requests for subscription in the trips program (É) reflects the genuine resolve of Moroccans sequestered in Tindouf camps to return to their homeland, even for a few days."

The official highlighted the progress scored in the United Nations-sponsored visit exchange operation between natives of the Sahara in southern Morocco and their relatives in the camps controlled by the Algeria-backed Polisario separatists that are claiming the independence of the Moroccan Sahara, a former Spanish colony retrieved by Morocco in 1975 after agreements with Spain and Mauritania.

Ghabar underlined that Lghalia Lahzam, a participant in this operation, carried out by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as part of the "confidence-building measures," has chosen to stay in Morocco with her three children and her sister.

He added that the operation will be extended to include other Moroccan cities, starting by a first trip to the southern city of Smara on May 14. So far, 461 people have benefited of the two previous stages of the visit exchange that enabled several families to visit each other after more than 30 years of separation due to the dispute over the Sahara.

Ghabar called on the UNHCR to play its role fully to bring to an end this situation that tears families apart because of an artificial conflict. He voiced hope that all Moroccans sequestered in Tindouf camps would return to the kingdom for good.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco supports Sahara solution respectful of its fundamental bases, Minister   (5/7/2004)
  Only a political settlement can solve Sahara Issue, experts   (5/5/2004)
  Algeria's leader keen to improve relations with Morocco   (5/3/2004)

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