UN Secretary General recommends one-month extension of MINURSO mandate
Morocco-UN, Politics, 3/24/1999

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan recommended on Tuesday to the Security Council a one-month extension of the MINURSO, the U.N mission supervising preparations for the holding of a referendum in the Sahara.

The MINURSO mandate was expected to expire on March 30, and Annan hopes this extension will give sufficient time to all involved parties to reach an agreement on the implementation of protocols related to the identification and appeal procedures of persons of Sahrawi descent.

The issue of identification and appeals (of persons who consider that they were denied the right to be included in the voters' lists) has been a major obstacle to holding a much-delayed referendum in the Sahara, as the Polisario, an Algeria-backed secessionist movement, wishes to exclude some voters who Morocco believes should be included. The Polisari claims the independence of the Sahara, a former Spanish colony retrieved by Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid accords.

Annan also hopes that, "By that time, it would be possible to assess with greater precision the prospects for implementing these activities within a reasonable period of time and in a manner that would preserve the essence of the package of measures. I expect the full cooperation of the parties towards the achievement of these objectives."

Following the resignation of his special representative, retired U.S. diplomat Charles F. Dunbar, on March 31, Annan designated as acting special representative Robin Kinloch, chairman of the voter identification commission.

In attached "Observations and Recommendations," the UN chief, who toured the north African region end of last year, said he is encouraged by the letter received on March 22 from the permanent representative of Morocco communicating his government's agreement in principle.

He went on that, "the identification and appeals protocol would be adjusted," while "operational directives are also being prepared by the (MINURSO) identification commission to ensure the transparency and common understanding of its work and of the identification and appeals procedures." Annan added that he will submit another report to the Security Council on March 31, 1999.

Previous Stories:
  Former UN special representative in the Sahara hails Morocco's efforts for MINURSO success   (3/23/1999)
  Referendum in Sahara will be held in march 2000, minister says   (3/11/1999)
  Morocco sees no other option to referendum in Sahara, King Hassan says   (3/3/1999)

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