Morocco determined to cooperate with the UN for effective referendum on Sahara
Morocco, Politics, 4/23/1999

Morocco is determined to contribute efficiently and in cooperation with the United Nations to the effective holding of the self-determination referendum in the Saharan provinces in March 2000, said Moroccan Minister of the Interior Driss Basri.

Basri made the statement on Thursday in Smara, the spiritual capital of southern Morocco, where he chaired several meetings with representatives of the city, delegates of women's and youth associations and the shioukhs and observers participating in the identification operation of would-be voters in the referendum.

The referendum, to be held under the aegis of the U.N., will determine whether the Saharan provinces, that were formerly under Spanish colonization and that were retrieved by Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid accords, are integrated within Morocco or set up on their own as claimed by the Algerian-backed Polisario movement.

Basri called for the consolidation of solidarity among all the tribes of the region to foil the maneuvers of the enemies of Morocco's territorial integrity.

He asserted that Morocco remains attached to the right of each and every Sahrawi to participate in the identification operation and in the vote. He added that in line with the U.N settlement plan, the Houston accords and the latest proposals made by the U.N secretary general, Morocco is rightfully entitled to make participate in the consultation all the tribes that were previously contested (by the Polisario), such as the Ait Youssa, Azouafit, Ait Nass and others.

Basri called in this respect on all Sahrawis to individually participate in the identification operation.

During the meetings, Basri also dealt with economic and social issues and announced that an additional budget of more than $4 million (40 Million DH) has been allocated to the municipality of Smara and neighboring localities. He also expounded a housing program under which lodgings will be provided to the persons sequestered by the Polisario in the Tindouf camps (in southwestern Algeria) after their repatriation to their birthplace in the Saharan provinces for participation in the referendum.

These persons, he said, are preparing to return to their homeland for reunion with their families, for a free life, far from the repression, tyranny and violation of freedoms they have been submitted to for so long.

They shall come back to their country despite the separatists' maneuvers, Basri said, announcing the launch of construction works on these lodgings.

Basri stated that the Saharan province's natives who could not be identified previously can do so from June to December 1999 and that those who were not retained by the U.N to participate in the referendum have the right to make an appeal.

Previous Stories:
  Moroccan Sahara issue is no obstacle to Maghreban integration, minister says   (4/20/1999)
  Senegal backing to Morocco's rights over Sahara is conform to international legitimacy, diplomat says   (4/19/1999)
  Morocco, UN endeavor for resumption of identification operation in Sahara   (4/17/1999)

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