Sahara issue: Rabat, Madrid renew calls for negotiated political settlement
Morocco-Spain, Politics, 6/11/2004

Morocco and Spain on Wednesday renewed their calls for a "negotiated political settlement to the Sahara dispute," opposing Morocco to the Algeria-backed Polisario separatists who claim the independence of the kingdom's southern provinces.

Moroccan and Spanish foreign ministers, respectively Mohamed Benaissa, and Miguel Angel Moratinos, reaffirmed the two countries' will to work out a "consensual, fair and definitive solution to the conflict, negotiated by the involved parties."

The Moroccan Sahara, known as Western Sahara, is a former Spanish colony retrieved by Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid tripartite accords, signed with the former colonial power and Mauritania. Algeria, which is politically and militarily backing the secessionists has so far rejected any direct dialogue with Morocco, saying it is not involved.

The settlement must abide by international legality and within the framework of the United Nations, the two ministers said at a joint press conference following their meeting, reaffirming their will to "contribute actively to reach this aim."

Moratinos said his country is currently undertaking bilateral contacts with the parties for a political settlement accepted by all.

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