Sahara: Annan expects parties to continue to cooperate with his special envoy

United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan says in a new report, published in New York on Friday, on the situation in the Sahara he expects parties to continue to cooperate with his special envoy to reach a rapid, lasting and concerted settlement to the Sahara issue.

I expect Morocco and the Polisario, as well as Algeria and Mauritania, to continue to cooperate with my special envoy (James Baker) in the efforts he is making to reach a rapid, lasting and concerted settlement to the Sahara issue, Annan says in his interim report to the security council.

After he welcomed as "a positive development" the recent release of a number of Moroccan prisoners of war, as well as Saharan detainees, Annan notes that over 1,300 war prisoners are still detained, some for more than 20 years. He called their continued detention a "serious humanitarian issue" and urged the Polisario to release without any delay all prisoners.

Annan also draws attention to the situation of Saharan refugees in the Tindouf camps in Algeria as a matter of "growing concern" and appeals to the international community to provide generous support to the UN's refugee and food agencies that are providing humanitarian assistance to those in need. The humanitarian needs of the refugees should be met until they voluntarily return to the territory.

Annan's reports further expects Morocco and the Polisario to fully cooperate to help the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to enforce confidence measures, in accordance with the Security Council's decision.

Of military issues, the secretary general notes that discussions were carried on between the MINURSO (UN mission in the Sahara) and the Polisario, at various levels, to alleviate or lift restrictions to the freedom of movement of United Nations military observers east of the defense wall since January 2001. Meanwhile, the report notes, the MINURSO military members continued to patrol west of the defense wall, in conformity with the cease-fire arrangements.

The report which describes new developments since last June 20, notes that the MINURSO has been controlling the cease-fire and confirmed that the Moroccan army has destroyed missiles, mines and other explosive devices in six destruction operations.

Annexed to the interim report are a Polisario memorandum renewing refusal of the framework-agreement, comments of the Algerian government which voices support to any move meant to reach a fair and lasting solution to the conflict and observations by Morocco which renews total readiness to carry on its cooperation, within the respect of its sovereignty and international legality.