Moroccan Sahrawis in Europe claim right to vote in referendum
Morocco, Politics, 11/8/1999

The association of Moroccan Sahrawi tribes living in Europe called the UN secretary general to acknowledge their right to vote in the referendum.

Association chairman Lahcen Ould Mohamed Salem Latif said members were mobilized behind King Mohammed VI to wrestle their right to vote and make the referendum confirm, once for all, the Sahara as Moroccan territory.

In a ceremony held in Paris in celebration of the 24th Green-March anniversary, he denounced discrimination against Moroccans of Sahrawi origin settled in Europe who are still waiting for the MINURSO identification commission to hear them and grant them the right to cast their votes in the referendum.

The 21,000 families represented by the association are determined to exercise their rights and commit themselves to continuing the fight for Morocco's territorial integrity.

Delegates of tribes underscored the importance and meaning of the Green-March in recovering Moroccan territories and allegiance that has always bound Sahrawi tribes to the Moroccan crown.

At the end of the ceremony, a message to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan was read out calling for consideration of all requests by people who were not included in the census. Sahrawis in Europe who meet UN criteria should, without exception, be allowed to participate in the referendum, the message said.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco holds polisario responsible for referendum delay   (11/6/1999)
  Morocco marks Green March anniversary   (11/6/1999)
  Report: Clan wars and unavoidable scission in Tindouf, defectors   (11/5/1999)

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