Morocco starts preparations for new stage in referendum process
Morocco-West Sahara, Politics, 9/25/1998

Morocco's preparations for a new stage in the referendum process will start today, said here Moroccan Interior Minister Driss Basri in Laayoun.

"We will start a new process for the holding of the referendum operation in all its aspects," said the minister, expressing confidence that the polling will only confirm the Sahara as a Moroccan territory.

In a meeting with heads of tribes and observers who have been taking part in the identification of potential voters in the UN-projected referendum, the Moroccan official said all available data show that the referendum will consecrate Morocco's legitimate rights and stressed the need to allow all Sahrawis to enjoy their right to vote in the referendum.

He further called for a general mobilization for the success of this operation and noted the work accomplished by the heads of tribes, observers, local authorities and administrations in the identification operations despite the hard conditions.

He underlined that in dealing with the Sahara issue, Morocco is relying on truths, real dates and a sound and coherent perception of the situation. He added that Morocco is known for its stability, the pertinence of its options and its good will to settle the Sahara issue.

He said the state is responsible for defending the rights of its citizens, members of tribes, of tribal factions, sub-factions and families to enjoy their right to participate in the referendum, recalling the unanimity and solidarity of all the southern provinces inhabitants as to their right to take part in the referendum without excluding any one of them.

Morocco's coordinator with the MINURSO, Mohamed Azmi, surveyed the identification operation since it first started in August 1994 and the subsequent suspensions due to the Polisario's refusal to participate in the identification of some tribes.

He also reported various irregularities committed by Polisario representatives throughout the operation and stressed that Morocco spared no effort to help the MINURSO, particularly the identification commission, administering thus evidence to its good will to make the process move forward.

The meeting was held some days after the UN announced that with the identification of 147,000 potential voters, the identification is completed except for contested tribes made of Sahrawis who had fled the region for various reasons and whom the Polisario is denying have the right to be part of the electorate.

Previous Stories:
  UN mission completes identification of potential voters in Sahara referendum   (9/4/1998)
  NAM preparatory meetings expel uninvited Polisario representative   (9/2/1998)
  Security Council satisfied over progress in UN settlement plan in Sahara   (8/27/1998)

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