Morocco would accept referendum postponement, if it guarantees all its demands
Morocco, Politics, 2/19/1999

Morocco said Thursday it will accept postponement of the referendum in the Sahara, if the UN secretary general decides it and if that postponement guarantees the respect of all Moroccan demands, mainly the participation of all Sahrawis in the UN voting operation.

"We accept the referendum postponement, if it guarantees us the right of all Sahrawis to participate in the voting operation the United Nations is planning to hold in the Sahara," Moroccan minister in charge of relations with the parliament, Mohamed Bouzoubaa, told the press on Thursday.

"We refuse the postponement, if it is a mere maneuver by our enemies to delay the peace process," he said.

Last week, the U.N secretary general, Kofi Annan, told French "Radio France Internationale" that the referendum, which is scheduled for next December in the Sahara, may be postponed in view of the delays made in the implementation of the UN settlement plan.

The UN plan provides for the holding of a self-determination referendum in the Sahara to determine whether that former Spanish colony -- retrieved by Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid accords -- sets up on its own, as claimed by the Polisario or incorporates into Morocco.

The referendum, which was proposed by Morocco in the early 1980's has been obstructed by disputes surrounding the list of eligible voters.

Previous Stories:
  U.S Congress staffers visit Moroccan Sahara   (2/17/1999)
  Morocco seeks German backing at European Union   (2/13/1999)
  Projected Sahara referendum will probably be postponed, UN chief says   (2/13/1999)

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