UN chief ready to help parties reach 'political solution' to Sahara dispute
Morocco-UN, Politics, 4/21/2005

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has voiced willingness to help "parties" reach a political solution to the Sahara dispute opposing Morocco to the Algerian-backed separatist movement "Polisario."

"I remain prepared to help the parties reach a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution," said the UN chief in his latest report on the Sahara dispute to be submitted soon to the Security council.

He however deplored that "such a solution remains blocked, either for reasons of substance, or because existing channels for the search for common ground are not being used."

The Polisario, backed by Algeria, has since 1976 been laying claims on Morocco's Southern Provinces, known as the Sahara. The former Spanish colony was retrieved by the North African country in 1975 under the Madrid Accords signed with Spain and Mauritania.

In his report, Kofi Anan hoped that "all concerned (parties) will show the necessary political will to break the current deadlock that would enable the resumption of the efforts of the United nations to assist the parties in reaching a mutually acceptable political solution."

Algeria, despite providing political, military, financial and logistic support to the separatists, has always denied being a concerned party to the conflict.

The UN Secretary general also expressed "concerned by the most recent reported statement from the Polisario leadership that a 'return to arms' may be 'closer than ever'." He deemed that the size of the MINURSO (French acronym for the United Nations Mission in Western Sahara) should not be reduced. "I remain concerned that this would not be advisable at this stage. Given the prevailing conditions on the ground, MINURSO should be in a position to provide an adequate response and ensure the effective monitoring of the ceasefire" concluded in 1991 between Morocco and the Polisario.

He recommended in this regard the extension of the MINURSO mandate for a further six months until October 2005.

Concerning the 408 Moroccan prisoners of war (POWs) still detained by the Polisario in the Tindouf Camps, Kofi Annan called "on it once again to release all prisoners without any further delay, in compliance with international humanitarian law and numerous Security Council resolutions and presidential statements."

Previous Stories:
  Morocco's reforms confer credibility to its advanced status with the EU, ambassador   (3/16/2005)
  Settlement of Sahara dispute should be the 'fruit of negotiations' between the parties, Kofi Annan   (3/10/2005)
  Morocco to level itself with European norms, PM   (3/5/2005)

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