Morocco renews adherence to UN peace plan in the Sahara

Moroccan Interior Minister Driss Basri said Morocco supports the continuation of the UN referendum process and deems that it is necessary that the process moves forward.

Basri, who was interviewed by French daily "Le Figaro," said Morocco also supports extending the mandate of MINURSO, French acronym for the UN mission supervising the holding of a referendum in the Sahara. He added that Morocco "signs the agreement on the extension of the MINURSO mandate" and "formalizes the presence of the High Commissioner for Refugees" that will be in charge of repatriating refugees.

He added that he is convinced that the only solution is the referendum which will deal with the essential issue of independence or integration.

The United Nations is projecting to hold by end of the year a referendum to determine whether this former Spanish colony retrieved by Morocco in 1975 would remain Moroccan territory or set up on its own as claimed by the Algerian-backed Polisario movement.

Basri, however, criticized "the way in which the census of potential electors was conducted" and denounced the blatant biased position of the Polisario observers who he said reject all disturbing candidacies.

He insisted that all "Sahrawis have the right to vote."

Denying allegations that Morocco is seeking to enlarge the electorate to ensure the victory of supporters of Morocco, he said Morocco is targeted by a discourse relayed by its enemies and by other countries.

The daily commented that as a much-delayed referendum is nearing, the settlement of the conflict enters a dangerous zone because on the other side of the borders, in the Algerian camp of Tindouf, the Polisario, facing massive defections of its leaders and a weary population, does not seem ready to accept the requests of its enemy-brothers.

Basri held early this week talks with various UN officials in charge of the issue. The Moroccan official met on Monday with the special representative of the UN secretary general for the Sahara, Charles Dunbar, chairman of the UN identification commission, Robin Kinloch, and representative of the High Commissioner for Refugees, Karim Fazilul.

Sources close to the Moroccan interior department said talks covered the enforcement and implementation of the draft statute of the MINURSO, a French acronym for the UN mission supervising the referendum in the Sahara, Map reported.

Other items reviewed were the HCR establishment in Laayoun, largest city in the Sahara, the refugees repatriation draft protocol and procedures to implement some provisions of identification package proposed by the UN secretary general.

According to the source, it was decided to carry on talks with the MINURSO and the HCR to study technical aspects and reach, first, a time-table.