Polisario's negative attitude on UN chief Sahara report shows disarray, government spokesman

The negative attitude shown by the Algeria-backed Polisario regarding the latest report of the UN secretary general on the Sahara is an indication of the mercenaries' "state of disarray," said here Thursday Moroccan communication minister and government spokesman.

Nabil Benabdellah told reporters following the weekly government meeting the mercenaries are living in a state of dismay after Kofi Annan noted the "encouraging increase in high-level contacts in the region" and voiced willingness to help "parties" reach a political solution to the Sahara.

Unlike Morocco which expressed commitment to hold negotiations with all parties, under the United Nations auspices, to reach a fair, final and mutually-acceptable solution to the Sahara issue, the Polisario rejected negotiations.

In his report dated April 20, the UN chief hoped that "all concerned (parties) will show the necessary political will to break the current deadlock that would enable the resumption of the efforts of the United nations to assist the parties in reaching a mutually acceptable political solution."

Backed by neighboring Algeria, the Polisario front has been seeking, since 1976, the separation of the Moroccan Southern Provinces, known as the Sahara, from the rest of the Kingdom. The former Spanish colony was retrieved by Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid accords.

The spokesman also reiterated Morocco's readiness to contribute to any peaceful efforts made by the UN in the pursuit of a political settlement that close once and for all the issue, in the respect of the Kingdom's national sovereignty and territorial integrity. (MAP)SH

Algeria, despite providing political, military, financial and logistic support to the separatists, has always denied being a concerned party to the conflict.