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Vienna, July 12, 2009 (SPS) - The Secretary of State for Finance of Austria, Andreas Schieder, received Friday small Sahrawi emissaries of peace who are in Austria in the framework of “holiday in peace,” reported a press release issued by the Austrian Press Agency (APA).
"I am happy that the holidays in peace, provide an opportunity for children to visit Austria and find comfort outside the hard life in the camps," said Mr. Schieder, adding, "these children will have medical examinations and will be able to enjoy their childhood for a period of 8 weeks, at least " with their hosting families in Austria.
"The most important thing that we can bring to the Saharawi people at the moment is to find a political solution to the question of Western Sahara", he indicated.
In this respect, "we will strive as politicians to end the conflict that has lasted for decades to enable the Saharawi children every opportunity to live in peace," Schieder added.
"We do not want children and adults to spend their lives, days by day, in refugee camps," he regretted, stressing "the need to find a just solution guaranteeing the right to self-determination of the Sahrawi people.
Mr. Schieder thanked Mrs. Karin Scheele, the Minister of the Federal Government in Austria, who oversees the organization of holidays in peace in this country.
In addition, Mrs. Karen Scheele received the Gold medal of the Republic of Austria in recognition to the services in favour of her country within the European Parliament and her solidarity with the Sahrawi people, many of whom have lived in refugee camps for 35 years under extremely difficult circumstances, deprived of their right to self-determination and return to their homeland.
Attended the ceremony held at the Parliament seat, under president of the National Council, heads of political parties, former ministers, members of the Government and parliamentarians in Austria, in addition to the representative of the Polisario Front to Vienna, Ms. Najatt Hendi Den.
The Austrian Minister of Social Affairs, Karin Scheele said last June on International Day of Refugees in Vienna, the numerous conflicts on the agenda on the international scene, including the Western Sahara, "should not be left to be forgotten." (SPS)
020/090/TRD 121300 JUL 09 SPS
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