UN mission completes identification of potential voters in Sahara referendum
Morocco-West Sahara-UN, Politics, 9/4/1998

The UN identification commission completed on Wednesday the identification process with 147,000 applicants wishing to take part in the referendum on self-rule that the world body projects to hold in the Sahara.

A statement released by MINURSO (French acronym for UN Mission for a referendum in Western Sahara) said members of contested tribes H41, H61 and J51/52 were not covered by the identification. These groups fled the former Spanish occupation and are denied eligibility by the Polisario, who seek self-rule for the region.

The release added, "The identification process started in 1994, and during the initial phase (August 1994-December 1995), about 60,000 applicants were identified." It also made it clear that an identified person is not necessarily eligible. This person is questioned by the identification commission which should later on decide on its eligibility.

Tribute should be paid to the applicants who requested to participate in the referendum, said the UN secretary general's special representative, Charles F. Dunbar, who also thanked and congratulated the government of Morocco, the Polisario front, heads of tribes from the two sides and observers who made possible the identification process and the Organization of African Unity for its work and support.

Annan's last report to the Security Council announced that his special envoy, James Baker, is planning to hold contacts with the parties in early September 1998, to settle the issue of contested tribes. Following this mission, Baker "will assess the implementability of the plan in its present form and examine whether there are any adjustments to the plan, acceptable to both parties, which would significantly improve the chances of implementing it." Annan added that his next report (expected by mid September) and the extension of the mandate of MINURSO would depend on Baker's conclusions.

The identification process first started in 1994, was interrupted in December 1995 and resumed two years later, following the signing of Baker's brokered Houston accords in September 1997.

Other arrangements still need to be finalized before deciding on arrangements for the referendum that will decide whether this former Spanish colony, retrieved by Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid accords, would stand on its own, as claimed by the Polisario or incorporate with Morocco.

The identification commission still has to convoke hundreds of applicants living abroad, identify members of the contested tribes and examine appeals made by those who already appeared before the commission which had offices in Tindouf (stronghold of the Polisario in southeastern Algeria), Morocco and Mauritania.

The UN mission, which supervises a ceasefire in force since September 1991, comprises 203 military observers, 10 staff officers, 248 troops and 80 civilian police observers.

Previous Stories:
  NAM preparatory meetings expel uninvited Polisario representative   (9/2/1998)
  Security Council satisfied over progress in UN settlement plan in Sahara   (8/27/1998)
  Returning accusation, Moroccan diplomat says Polisario violates freedom of movement   (8/25/1998)

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