Morocco ready for dialog on a solution to Sahara issue, says ambassador

Morocco which initiated the Sahara referendum in 1982 to put an end to the artificial dispute kindled around its territorial integrity is "still ready to take part in a dialog in search for a solution," said Morocco's permanent representative to UN, Ambassador Ahmed Snoussi.

In a memo to UN secretary-general and to the Security Council chairman, Snoussi says Morocco is increasingly convinced "the other party wants a tailor-made referendum" and shares the secretary-general's assessment as to the "quasi-impossibility to find a compromise to fundamental divergences on the implementation of the settlement plan."

The diplomat recalled multiple obstacles by the other side to the settlement process with a view to excluding a large number of Sahrawis and force a "partial and tailor-made" application of appeal protocols and refusal to free prisoners and let refugees return home.

Faced with difficulties that cannot be overcome, Morocco tried, at the Security Council's request, to re-launch the plan implementation and start dialog seeking a "political solution to the dispute," he said insisting how Morocco responded positively to the Council's request for a political way out within Moroccan sovereignty and territorial integrity.