Quiet between Polisario and Morocco regarding election
Morocco-West Sahara, Politics, 10/1/1997

The leader of the Polisario Front, Mohammed Abdel Aziz, confirmed that the Front pledges to respect the results of the Sahara referendum even if it results in getting the Sahara to join Morocco but he linked this acceptance to three conditions; holding an upright and democratic referendum, the spread of UN dominance in the region, and providing equal opportunities to both Polisario and Morocco in addition to the providing the international observers.

Sources mentioned that Abdel Aziz' words came in response to a statement by the Moroccan Minister of Interior Edris Al Basry in which he declared that his country will respect the results of the referendum and will be the first country to have an embassy in the Sahara if the referendum results in achieving the independence of the Sahara.

Commentators of the situation in the Western Sahara found that the statement of the Polisario Front expresses its skepticism of the content of the Houston Agreement. The agreement lists the issues that have been agreed upon, especially determining the identity of the people of Sahara origin, putting down a draft memorandum stating the responsibilities of the UN during the transitional phase, the future of Moroccan administration of the region, in addition to the restriction of having any flags or banners hoisted during the referendum except those on official buildings.

Previous Stories:
  Official Moroccan delegation to visit desert provinces soon   (9/20/1997)
  Morocco - Polisario negotiations to resume next month   (9/9/1997)
  Morocco, Polisario to resume talks   (8/26/1997)

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

Search