Algeria's labor party says it does not support Polisario

Spokesperson of the Algerian labor party (PT), Louisa Hanoune, said the PT does not support the Polisario, a separatist movement backed by Algerian authorities and does not support the Baker plan.

In a press conference, Hanoune, a former presidential candidate, said her party rejects the Baker plan, which is far from having only positive aspects.

Algeria is extending political, economic and financial support to the Polisario which is seeking to separate Morocco's, southern provinces, the Sahara, from the rest of Morocco. It is also trying to push forward a settlement plan crafted by the former UN secretary general's personal envoy for the Sahara, James Baker.

The plan provides for a transitional period during which the provinces would be granted large autonomous powers, following which a referendum will be held. The plan is turned down by Morocco which does not accept any settlement that does not cater for its sovereignty over the territory.

Hanoune further stressed that the priority for her party is not the Sahara. "The priority is rather Iraq and Palestine," she said explaining that her party considers that in the Sahara issue, it's the multinational companies which are pulling the strings in order to dismember the Maghreb region and, at the same time, reproves the SOS launched by the Polisario to the US president at a time this latter was invading Iraq.

She also wondered why Algeria is refusing to open its land borders with Morocco when Morocco has cancelled the visa requirement, and, according to news reports, has called Algeria to stop backing the Polisario and to expand the concept of reconciliation and peace to the neighbor countries.