SPS SADR/SPAIN Representatives of Spanish
writers ask the Government to explain its abstention during the vote in
the 4th Committee of the UN
02.11.04
Madrid, 02/11/2004 (SPS) The
representatives of more than 400 Spanish writers, artists and
journalists, supporters of Saharawi people right to
self-determnination, asked their Government to give explanation on its
abstention during the vote of a resolution on Western Sahara in the
last session of the 4th Committee on decolonisation of the
UN.
In a letter addressed to the Spanish Congress (Second Chamber), the
signatories asked the members of the Parliament, on behalf of all their
colleagues, to exhorte the Government give the Spanish citizens
explanation on "the reasons that pushed it (the Government) adopt this
position".
In this context, the authors of the letter recalled the unanimous vote
of the Congress of the duputees last September the 14th of a motion
supporting Saharawi people right to self-determination.
They also underlined that Spain "does not have a concreate solution in
its hands" to the problem but has got the "key" to start the
international mechanisms.
''Our Government have only to clearly and categorically declare its
option for self-determination for the Saharawi people so as the UN be
compeled to impose the referendum", they affirmed.
They noted however that the Spanish Government does not take this step
and "thus does not take into consideration the position expressed by
the Congress, the Senate, the regional Parliaments, many municipalities
and the public opinion", who hope that the executive decide on the
question without ambiguity.
To the letter was attached a list of 420 writers, artists and
journalists who have signed the letter that was handed over last
September the 30th to the President of the Spanish Government,
José Luis Rodriguez
Zapatero.
In that letter the signatories called Zapatero to "promote any
political initiative that would help reach a mitually accepted accord
that respects the internationa ;l legality and Saharawi people
legitimate right to self-determination in accordance with the Charter
of the UN and to Security Council's resolutions".
Among the signatories there are Mr. José Saramago, Literature
Price Nobel winner, Fedérico Mayor Zaragoza, President of the
Foundation Culture of Peace and former Director of the UNESCO, as well
as Mr. Antonio Gala Manuel Rivas, Rosa Regas and Riszard
Kapuscinski.
On another hand, the represetatives of the Spanish writers supporters
of the Saharawi cause called to a demonstration for November the 13th
in Madrid to ask for the respect of Saharawi people right to
self-determination. (SPS)
SAHARA
PRESS SERVICE