Morocco adamant on Sahrawi rights to appeal

Morocco has repeatedly voiced its unwavering stand in protecting the right of all candidates turned down by the identification commission for voters in the referendum over the Sahara to appeal, said the Moroccan ambassador to the UN, Ahmed Snoussi.

Snoussi told "MAP" in the wake of adoption by the Security Council of a resolution maintaining MINURSO through Feb. 2000, he had insisted on lighter appeal procedures and fairer hearings to enable applicants defend their rights.

Appeal procedures should reflect our concerns, he said, adding that Moroccans detained in Tindouf camps should be allowed to express freely their choice and not bow to blackmail because their children are held as hostages elsewhere.

The fact that most council members have endorsed the secretary general's stand asking for more time to solve problems and allow all applicants to exercise their rights is a positive development, he said, renewing the kingdom's full support for UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's peace undertaking that would definitely confirm the territory as Moroccan.