Saharan chiefs accuse Morocco of obstructing registration

The Tribal chiefs in Western Sahara informed Moroccan Minister of Interior Idris Al Basry that some persons are being registered as of Saharan origin while they are not from the Western Sahara.

The chiefs of the Saharan tribes said that the Polisario is bringing in strangers to the registration camps in order to register them as Saharan citizens.

The process of determining the identity of the people of Saharan origin is currently underway in 5 centers. 3 other centers are being prepared to be inaugurated soon. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan called on all the parties involved in this process to work according to the regulations and timetable agreed upon in the Houston Agreement.

Annan clarified that the UN secretariat general started extensive consultations with those countries that are expected to participate with military or police forces in that process. The UN is trying to identify the number of forces necessary to run the Sahara areas. He added that the forces working with the Minoroso (49 officers) face shortages of equipment and materials.