Algerian-U.N. contacts on Annan's return to north africa soon
Algeria-North Africa, Politics, 11/19/1998

Algeria said on Wednesday that it is contacting the United Nations on the return of U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan to North Africa soon to resume efforts to launch the settlement plan for the Sahara.

"Contacts are underway with Mr Annan for a resumption of his trip within the next few days," Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf told a press conference.

Annan cut short last week a 10-day trip to the region due to the Iraq crisis. He was to visit Tunisia and Algeria to reactivate the process to hold a self-determination referendum in the Sahara. He was also scheduled to travel to the Tindouf camps in south-western Algeria, where the Polisario is headquartered.

The vote is designed to determine whether the Sahara --a former Spanish colony retrieved by Morocco in 1975-- sets up on its own, as claimed by the Polisario, or be incorporated into Morocco.

Repeatedly postponed, due to Polisario's stalling tactics, the referendum is now scheduled for December 1999.

Previous Stories:
  Algeria denies negotiation with Morocco to solve the Sahara problem   (11/11/1998)
  Algeria, Morocco, Washington back Baker's efforts on Sahara referendum   (9/29/1998)
  Sahara issue will be settled through referendum, Algeria says   (9/21/1998)

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