Moratinos: Madrid abstention in UN vote on Sahara due to its conviction of consensus importance
Morocco-Spain, Politics, 10/23/2004

Spain's abstention during the vote on the Algerian draft resolution on the Sahara before the UN 4th committee is due to its conviction of the need to reach a consensus between parties as it has been the case since several years, affirmed, on Thursday, Spanish Foreign Minister, Miguel Angel Moratinos.

Morotinos, told a press conference in the Mauritanian capital he paid a short visit to, Spain's abstention is a message addressed to parties to establish dialogue and work to reach a consensus on the Sahara conflict, a dispute opposing Morocco to the Algeria-backed separatists that are claiming the secession of Moroccan southern provinces (known as the Sahara).

Evoking the plan proposed by Paris and Madrid to settle this dispute, the Spanish official said his country does not intend to be a substitute to the United Nations, insisting that the international body is an important framework that may be reinforced through other efforts, notably at the bilateral and Maghreb levels.

Spain is currently in consultation with France to unify their positions and avoid contradictions that marked their rhetoric on this issue in the past, he added.

According to the Spanish official, the Spanish government's action currently consists of accelerating the settlement of the conflict and encouraging the unity of the Maghreb. The concretization of these goals is crucial for the consolidation of future relations between the Maghreb and the EU, he stressed.

Moratinos statement comes a few days after the vote on the draft resolution presented by Algeria at the meeting of the UN fourth committee. Out of the 191 UN members, only 52 voted for the draft resolution, while 89 abstained and 50 did not take part in the vote.

The national and international media described the vote as a "diplomatic victory" for Morocco and a "severe blow" for Algeria and for the Polisario separatists.

The vote was also considered by Rabat as a sign that the international community remains committed to a political, negotiated and lasting solution to the nearly three-decade dispute.

Previous Stories:
  Sahara issue: Spain pleads for final solution acceptable by all parties   (10/14/2004)
  Spain, working with France and U.S. for resolution on Sahara, Moratinos   (10/14/2004)
  Madrid highlights Morocco's will to solve Sahara conflict   (9/29/2004)

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

Search