Morocco sees no other option to referendum in sahara, King Hassan says
King Hassan II said on Wednesday that "Morocco sees no other option to the referendum" in the Sahara and remains attached to the United Nations settlement plan.
In a speech to the nation on the occasion of the Throne Day, marking this year the 38th anniversary of his enthronement, King Hassan II said that "what had been achieved with the United Nations Secretariat-General, the MINURSO or the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees are crystal clear evidence that Morocco is firmly determined to follow the path of the referendum and sees no other option than holding the consultation."
Morocco and the United Nations concluded last month an agreement defining the legal frame for the presence of the MINURSO, U.N. Mission for the referendum in the Sahara. Subsequently, the U.N. Security Council extended the MINURSO mandate until March 31.
The referendum, proposed by Morocco in the early 1980's, seeks to determine whether the Sahara --a former Spanish colony retrieved by Morocco in 1975-- sets up on its own or incorporates into Morocco.
King Hassan II also renewed Morocco's attachment to the United Nations settlement plan. "A just, fair and non-discriminatory implementation of this plan will help put an end to maneuvers and delaying tactics of those who stand against the holding of the referendum that will confirm the Moroccan identity of our Sahara," he insisted.
The vote stumbles over difficulties created by the Algerian-backed polisario front which seeks to shrink to the maximum the number of would-be voters in the consultation.
The king also stressed that no Sahrawi should be denied the right to express his opinion, as long as he meets one of the five identification criteria, adopted by the United Nations. He also voiced backing to all the efforts made in this direction by the United Nations Secretary-General.
King Hassan II expressed confidence that "when our sons, sequestered in Tindouf (south-western Algeria) are allowed to return to their families and homes, they will renew their allegiance to us, through their votes."