SAHARA PRESS SERVICE

Brussels, 01/05/2004 (SPS) Mohammed Sidati, the member of the National Secretariat and Saharawi Minister to Europe, denounced, without naming him, the initiative of Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero about the possibility of concluding, within six months, an agreement "between both sides" on the Saharawi issue.

At the time when the Security Council adopted resolution 1541, "rejecting without beating around the bush the Moroccan theses," "Spanish senior officials have mentioned the surprising, to say the least, approaches to settle the Saharawi issue," declared Sidati.

For the Saharawi official, the statements "of these officials, about the possibility of concluding an agreement between both sides within six months, are confusing, counterproductive and confirm Morocco in its intransigence, its defiance and its rebellion toward the international community."

Considering that these statements can only be perceived as "an announced alignment on the theses of the Moroccan occupying forces, Sidati reasserted that all initiatives and efforts for the settlement of the conflict in Western Sahara must irremediably strengthen the international community's steps, and from there, put oneself into and not outside the United Nations".

Resolution 1541, adopted Thursday by the Security Council, is "unequivocal for it reasserts its support to the peace plan for the Saharawi people's self-determination" as the "optimal solution" for the settlement of this issue, said Sidati.

Given "its huge responsibility in the Saharawi people's tragedy," Spain should rather "urge Morocco to take the path of wisdom and peace," he went on.

The Saharawi minister recalled that it was under the Spanish presidency that the Security Council resolution, "backing the peace plan for the Saharawi people's self-determination," was passed.

The Saharawi people remains attached to the implementation of the Baker plan, as recommended by the UN and will accept "no step that will encourage by deeds the continued rebellion and the persisting and negative obstructions of Morocco if the aim of this step is to maintain the colonial existence in Western Sahara", he concluded. (SPS)

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SPS
SADR/POLITICS/MEDIAS
The new generation is as resolute as its precedents to liberate the country, asserts Abdelaziz

Washington, 01/05/2004 (SPS) The President of the Republic, Mohamed Abdelaziz, asserted that the new generation in occupied territories, abroad or in exile, is as resolute as its precedents to liberate the country from the Moroccan colonial yoke, estimating that the colonial occupation failed to tame Saharawis after 30 years of occupation.

In an interview recently publicised by the Washington Times, the President of the Republic stated that in exile « children who were born in these camps, now, they too have children. But each generation is convinced that the Western Sahara is their home, and that Morocco is the occupier and the enemy».

He also indicated that a high number of young people study in Europe and  other regions of the world, yet « that doesn't mean they lose their Saharawi identity. Nor has Morocco succeeded in making Saharawis living in occupied territories Moroccan citizens? The Saharawis have the right to their land, and they will defend that right».

Asked about the state of mind of Saharawis after the numerous delays of the referendum, Mr. Abdelaziz admitted that Saharawis were deceived by the lack of will in the international community, deploring the policy of two weights two measures, referring to international community different way of dealing with the Saharawi issue compared to the issues of Kuwait or East Timor.

Nonetheless, he said, « we believe the United Nations has made a tremendous effort. It's been in Western Sahara since 1991 [monitoring the cease-fire], and it's spent a lot of money on its mission in Western Sahara».

Asked about the future orientations of the independent Saharawi State, the President of the Republic, indicated that his people are willing to institute a democracy built on pluralism and on the respect of the basic liberties, equal rights between men and women, equal opportunities for all people, a free-market economy and tolerance between religions. « We live in a region that may not look kindly on these positions, but we are determined to defend our policies», he underlined. (SPS)

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SPS
SADR/EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
Baker Plan is the best exit to the dispute on Western Sahara, affirms a European Parliament Member

Brussels, 01/05/2004 (SPS) The President of the Intergroup of the European Parliament "Peace for the Saharawi People", the German Member of European Parliament (MEP), Margot Kessler, expressed Thursday her support to the Baker Plan II and to the resolution 1541, Security Council has adopted on Thursday, asserting that this plan is «an intelligent, viable, peaceful and balanced exit to the territorial dispute between Morocco and Polisario Front, which is ongoing since 1975», indicated a communiqué of the Intergroup.

«Morocco have to accept the Baker Plan II, which represents a historical possibility for the respect of international law and a worthy and quick exit to ensure the needed prosperity to all the peoples of the Union of the Maghreb Arab», estimated the communiqué of which SPS received a copy.

The MEP had finally called the new Spanish Government to «plainly and clearly» support the Baker Plan, «which was elaborated with the Spanish diplomacy active contribution».

To Mrs. Kessler, «the apparent diplomatic attitude of the new Spanish Government is incomprehensible and does not contribute to an European solution to theconflict», instead it respond «to French permanent manoeuvres aiming at deforming the nature of the issue of the decolonisation of Western Sahara
to an untrue and apparent legality of the Moroccan daily military occupation of the non-autonomous territory».

During the reunion, the MEPs were informed about the debates within UN's Security Council on Western Sahara and received Mr. Mohamed Sidati, Member of the National Secretariat and Saharawi Reprehensive to Europe, as well as the members of the «women against torture platform» who were in a visit to Brussels. (SPS)

020/090/777/TRD 011520 May 04 SPS

SPS
SADR/MOROCCO/FRANCE/MEDIAS
Mohamed Abdelaziz: France helps Rabat to dodge international legality

Algiers, 01/05/2005 (SPS) The President of the Republic, Mohamed Abdelaziz, declared in an interview recently publicised by an Algerian newspaper, that France helps Rabat to dodge international legality, deploring this incoherent position of such a big power.

«I would say that France is accountable of this deadlock situation, particularly by the use of the Veto. This attitude allowed Morocco to go further than his actual abilities», underlined the Head of the State in his interview to the «Expression».

«By giving a diplomatic support to Rabat's claims, France helped Morocco avoid submitting to international legitimacy. I deplore France's position, especially because it is a big power», he emphasised.

Asked about the best ways to reach a positive result towards the settlement of the conflict, Mr. Abdelaziz estimated that «the UN can make use of different ways to pressure Morocco, for example, making use of the military forces, facing Morocco with its responsibilities and submitting it to the international legality or make use of military or economic embargo».

Asking if the Spanish position has changed with the new Zapatero's Government, the President considered that it is « relatively positive » (...) «because it strongly supports the UN's plan» and «do not want to give in to Moroccan blackmailing». (SPS)

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SPS
SADR/SPAIN/MOROCCO
Ali Beiba: The relationships between Spain and Rabat should not be rebuilt to the detriment of Saharawi people

Madrid, 01/05/04 (SPS) The President of the Parliament, Mahfoud Ali Beiba, called Spanish Head of the executive, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, on Wednesday, not to reconsider his country's relationships with Rabat «to the detriment» of Saharawi people, asking him to defend international legality in Western Sahara's case as «Portugal has done in the case of East Timor».

Recalling Spain's « big moral and historical responsibility» towards the decolonisation process in its former colony, Mr. Ali Beiba, estimated that the Spanish Government should «materialise» Spanish peoples' overwhelming feelings of solidarity and devote itself to the defence of this position so as to put past « mistakes » right, reported EFE. (SPS)

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SPS
SADR/MEXICO
Mexico will continue supporting UN's efforts for the settlement of Western Sahara's conflict

Mexico, 01/05/2004 (SPS) Mexican Government will continue supporting UN's efforts for the settlement of Western Sahara's conflict, we learned from Saharawi official source.

Mexican Foreign Affairs Minister, Luis Ernesto Derbez Bautista, recalled, in a message addressed to his Saharawi counterpart, that his country «had always actively collaborated for the prevailing of the principles contained in the United Nations Chart and in the international law» during its mandate within Security Council.

«Mexico will continue providing its support to the resolutions adopted by the UN's Security Council», added the same source. (SPS)

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