Morocco calls UN to draw genuine voters' lists for referendum in Sahara

Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi has called on the United Nations to draw "genuine lists" of the persons entitled to vote in the U.N sponsored referendum projected to be held in the Sahara in March 2000.

Youssoufi told the weekly broadcast "Images of the Arab Maghreb" aired by Voice of America radio on Monday that Morocco is for the implementation of the U.N. plan on the settlement of the Sahara issue which stipulates the drawing of the lists of all the persons entitled to participate in the vote, namely all the natives of the southern provinces.

Youssoufi said it is up to the U.N. to draw genuine lists, far from any maneuvers or opposition schemes hatched by those who want to hamper the process.

As to the actions planned by the U.N. to overcome the divergences that have delayed negotiations on would-be voters' identification, the prime minister underlined Morocco's trust in the UN secretary general and the Security Council that are able, he said, to see to the implementation of the U.N settlement plan in all fairness and while taking into account the rights of all Moroccans of Sahara origin.

In his statement to VOA radio, Youssoufi also surveyed Moroccan-US relations and Morocco's relations with other Maghreban countries, especially Tunisia, whose head of state has just paid an official visit to Morocco.

He also touched on the economic and administrative reforms ushered in Morocco since the appointment of the Socialist-led coalition government in March 1998, that brought to power for the first time in decades leftist parties, including Youssoufi's "Socialist Union of Popular Forces."

The new juncture kindles citizens' hopes for more freedom, involvement in the management of public affairs and daily checking of the government's action, Youssoufi told VOA radio, expressing satisfaction over this new climate.