Sahara dispute: De Soto hopes to launch consultations with parties soon

The United Nations Secretary General's Special Representative for the Sahara, Alvaro de Soto, is hoping to launch consultations with parties in the Sahara dispute before the end of August, said a release of the UN mission for the Sahara, known by its French acronym MINURSO.

According to the release, published Monday, de Soto already held in-depth consultations in Washington, Paris and Madrid, and is hoping to hold talks with the main parties before the end of August.

The Secretary-General's Special Representative for Sahara, has assumed greater responsibility since the resignation in early June of James A. Baker, who had been the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy.

MINURSO has been in place since April 1991, to monitor the cease-fire concluded between Morocco and the Algeria-backed separatist movement "Polisario" which is claiming the separation of the Moroccan Southern provinces (Sahara) from the rest of the kingdom. The former Spanish colony was recuperated by Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid Accords signed with Spain and Mauritania.

Last April 29, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution that reaffirms support to the efforts of the Secretary General and his personal envoy in favor of a political settlement that is accepted by all parties.

The Council also decided to extend by six months the MINURSO mandate, that is until next October 30.