France: Sahara issue should be subject of accord between parties
Maghreb-France, Politics, 5/25/2005

France deemed on Tuesday that the Sahara question is a "problem that should be subject of an accord between parties under the aegis of the United Nations."

Asked about the position of France on the Sahara issue and the postponement of the UMA summit, the spokesperson of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs said "there is no evolution in our position. We consider that this problem should be subject of an accord between parties under the aegis of the United Nations."

The summit of the five-nation UMA countries (Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia), due on Wednesday, was postponed Tuesday because of growing tensions between Morocco and Algeria over the Sahara issue. The latter has been backing the Polisario Front that lays claim to Morocco's southern territories (known as the Sahara) since 1976. The former Spanish colony was recovered by Morocco in 1975 under accords with Madrid and Nouakchott.

"With regard to cooperation between Maghreban countries in general, we are ready to support the process of cooperation and integration between countries of the region," he said.

"This is important for Maghreban countries and for cooperation between the European Union and the Maghreb as part of Euro-Mediterranean partnership," added the spokesperson.

Moroccan Foreign Minister, Mohamed Benaissa, said on Tuesday the UMA summit was postponed because of the absence of suitable conditions for the coming-together.

In a statement to the national radio, he affirmed that the reason behind the postponement is "statements from Algerian officials on the territorial integrity of the kingdom, which affected the brotherly and constructive climate for the re-activation of UMA."

Previous Stories:
  Reconciliation commission 'courageous and daring step' to step up democracy, French Senators   (4/28/2005)
  Association condemns human organs trafficking by 'Polisario'   (3/25/2005)
  France: Sahara conflict resolution crucial to improve Morocco-Algeria relations   (2/9/2005)
  France Honors 85,000 Moroccans dead to liberate Europe from Nazism   (8/17/2004)
  Sahara Conflict: Morocco, Algeria do not need tutors to hold dialogue, FM   (7/14/2004)
  French FM calls for dialogue between Rabat and Algiers over Sahara dispute   (6/1/2004)

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

Search