Algeria undertakes another desperate attempt on Sahara issue at UN
Algeria has undertaken on Wednesday another desperate attempt, at the 3rd commission (humanitarian affairs) of the United Nations general assembly, to revive the Baker's settlement plan for the sahara that was rejected by Morocco.
The plan, crafted by former UN secretary general's personal envoy for the Sahara, James Baker, provides for a transitional period during which the Moroccan southern provinces, also known as the Sahara, will be granted a large autonomy, following which a referendum will be held. Morocco has turned down the plan stressing that any solution that does not cater for its territorial integrity over the Sahara is unacceptable.
The Sahara was a former Spanish colony that was retrieved by Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid Accords signed with Spain and Mauritania.
"It is regrettable that Algeria is taking the opportunity of the UN Commission of Humanitarian Affairs to present its thesis on a settlement to the Moroccan Sahara issue, a dispute it has created 30 years ago and it is trying to feed artificially within international organizations, said Morocco's permanent delegate to the UN, Mohamed Bennouna.
Algeria knows well that Baker's second plan which was rejected by Morocco cannot be considered as a basis for a political solution, just like Baker's 1st plan was rejected by Algeria while it enjoyed unanimous support within the security council and Morocco was ready to implement it, insisted Bennouna.
Algeria's attempt to revive Baker's 2nd plan is all the more surprising as its previous endeavours within the general assembly 4th commission were fruitless.
For the Moroccan diplomat, it is clear that the debate (over the plan) is closed since the security council, in its resolution adopted on October 27, has called parties to "overcome the present deadlock and move forward to a political solution."
"This is clear indication that the solution is ahead of us and not behind us and that negotiations are needed to craft such a solution under the auspices of the special representative of the UN secretary general Alvaro De Soto."
On the number of refugees suggested by Algeria, the Moroccan diplomat said Morocco cannot accept this figure as long as the host country (Algeria) continues to deny to the High Commissioner for Refugees impartial conditions for the conduct of a census.