Morocco: UN option for political solution due to failure of efforts in Sahara
The United Nations preference of a "political settlement" to the Sahara issue is due to the failure of efforts made to settle various problems related to the settlement plan, said Tuesday Morocco's delegate to the UN, Ahmed Snoussi.
The diplomat told MAP correspondent after the UN security council adopted a resolution extending the UN mission in the Sahara (MINURSO) for an additional two months, problems which remain unsettled are related to the repatriation of populations sequestered in Tindouf camps, the release of Moroccan prisoners and the enforcement of agreements on appeals regarding eligibility to vote in the referendum and updating of eligible candidates who reached voting age in 2000.
Snoussi went on that the quest of a political solution should in no case jeopardize Morocco's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Asked to comment on the resolution, he said it reproduces the same terms as the one adopted last October and did not change the MINURSO's political mandate. He further explained that the Security council asked the two parties to try to resolve problems hindering the enforcement of the settlement plan and agree on a mutually-accepted political settlement.
He also noted that in his report of Feb.20, the secretary general stated that his personal envoy, James Baker who had been busy with the US presidential elections is now more prepared to explore possibilities likely to ensure a fair political solution to the Moroccan southern provinces conflict.
Snoussi also recalled that in 1992 and 1993, the quest of a political solution was suggested to the security council when problems related to the enforcement of the settlement plan appeared impossible to overcome, mainly regarding aspects of identification criteria interpretation. Morocco had also put forward, during the London and Berlin meetings, proposals and suggestions to settle these problems. But facing the intransigent and inflexible responses to its problems, Morocco had brought to the UN secretary general its contribution in the quest of a solution, outside the UN settlement plan.
Snoussi also renewed Morocco's readiness and cooperation to help Baker succeed in his mission.
