SAHARA PRESS SERVICE

Algiers, 03/05/04 (SPS) Spain is "satisfied" with Security Council's unanimous adoption of the resolution 1541 on Western Sahara, affirmed Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister, Miguel Angel Moratinos, on Monday, according to Algerian Press Agency, APS.

In a statement to the press he gave at his arrival to the international airport Houari Boumedienne in a brief visit to Algiers, Mr. Moratinos underlined that this resolution constitutes "a commitment of the international community and an appeal to all concerned parties to positively engage in undertaking all efforts to reach a final settlement to the conflict on Western Sahara", indicated the same source.

"Spain will work, within United Nations, to encourage dialogue between the concerned countries ", he added.

Spanish official also underlined that his government has been leading efforts with Maghreb countries to make of the Mediterranean "a space for prosperity, peace and security."

Miguel Angel Moratinos was received at Algiers international airport by Algerian Foreign Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem.

It should be recalled that the Security Council has reaffirmed, in a resolution unanimously adopted (resolution 1541) on Thursday, "its support to the Peace Plan for the Self-determination of the people of Western Sahara", recalling the resolution 1495 of the 31st July 2003, and considering that this plan ''constitutes an optimal political solution ''. (SPS)

060/090/700/TRD 032111 May 04 SPS

SPS
SADR/SPAIN
Spanish parties demand from their Government to support Baker Plan and to increase the aid to Saharawi refugees

Madrid, 03/05/2004 (SPS)The Parliamentary Group of Unified Left and of the Ecologists (IU-ICV) introduced a proposition to the Spanish Parliament, calling their Government to support «the necessary initiatives to reach an accord based on the Baker Plan, endorsed by the Un, accepted by the Polisario Front and aiming at reaching a compromise between the parties to advance in the process of resolving the dispute in Western Sahara and in order to avoid deterioration of the actual situation».

The motion, submitted to Parliament's approval, calls European Union and its member States to adopt initiatives through «an active intervention» within the framework of the search of a solution to the problem, and to take profit, in this respect, of «the new European dynamic which began, as for our country, after the election of the 14th March», calling to «substantial increase of the annual humanitarian aid to Saharawi refugees».
 
The Parliamentary Group, also, recalled that Spanish Parliament had asked in many occasions, during former elections, for «a clear position in favour of the Baker Plan, as a proposition elaborated by the UN, conscious about the serious situation Saharawi people went through and still is undergoing because of the freezing of the peace process supervised by UN in Western Sahara».
 
The motion, finally, called Zapatero's Government to «assume Spanish State's responsibility towards the Maghreb region and in the decolonisation process of this territory», warning about «the negative consequences of resuming to hostilities, for the region». (SPS)

010/090/333/TRD 031349 May 04 SPS