SAHARA PRESS SERVICE

Caracas, 03/09/04 (SPS) The President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez Frias, affirmed Thursday that his country "will rise its voice to back the Saharawi claims ", calling Moroccan Government to comply with international legality by allowing the organisation of a referendum on self-determination of Saharawi people, reported SPS correspondent.

After the meeting he had Thursday in Caracas with the President of the Republic, Mohamed Abdelaziz, at the Presidential Palace of Miraflores, Mr. Chavez expressed his "preoccupation" about Moroccan rejection to comply with international legality, asserting that his country " will from now on rise its voice to back the Saharawi claims " and exhorting Moroccan Kingdom to "conform to Security Council resolutions".

"Morocco, he added, must accomplish its compromise with the United Nations to search a solution that pass through the organisation of a referendum so as the people of Western Sahara can decide over their future".

On another hand, the Head of the Bolivarian State condemned the Moroccan wall of shame, "which separate this people, and around which they (Moroccans) put thousands of mines that are prohibited by international law, to maintain a whole people under complete sequestration". He affirmed that "this situation preoccupy us because it can shed blood again in this region".

Venezuela "will claim from the world a firm and effective support to the United Nations, so as it can impose the respect of Security Council's resolutions and so as the path of the self-determination of the Saharawi people be followed again", for the sake of a peaceful, fair and final solution to the conflict, he said.

On another hand, Mr. Chavez asserted that his Government will undertake a planed diplomatic action "at an international level in Latino America, Africa, the countries of the OPEP and in Asia side by side with our friends around the world", so as "peace be protected by justice" and not imposed "by walls, anti-persons mines and troops of occupation. It is necessary then to continue saying No to imperialism and No to (Moroccan) colonialism" in Western Sahara, he emphasised.

Regarding the bilateral relationships, the Venezuelan President announced an expected visit of his minister of Energy and Mines to the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, so as to re-launch the economic and social cooperation between the two countries.

Having won the referendum of the last 15th August, which reinforced his presidential legitimacy as President, Mr. Chavez indicated that his people will take the challenge to "get more informed on the history and geo-strategic of the conflict" of Western Sahara, for more effectiveness. (SPS)

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Meeting in Caracas between Mohamed Abdelaziz and Hugo Chavez

Caracas, 03/09/04 (SPS) The President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez Frias, received the President of the Republic,  Mohamed Abdelaziz, Thursday at the Presidential Palace of Miraflores, where the two Heads of States discussed the last developments of the Western Sahara question and the bilateral relationships between the two countries, reported SPS correspondent on the ground.

Arrived Thursday afternoon to Caracas, the Head of the State was received with the official honours at the Presidential Palace by the President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez Frias, who offered him a presidential reception with the presence of many members of the Venezuelan Government.

The reception was followed by a meeting between the two Head of States, who discussed the different questions of common interest besides the last developments of the Western Sahara question with the presence of Venezuelan ministers of Energy and Mines, Mr. Sergio Ramírez, of Communication, Mr. Ariza and Counsellor Arevalo Mendez as well as Saharawi Ambassador to Caracas.

Mr. Abdelaziz received from his host a replica of the sword of Simon Bolivar, the legendary liberator and historical Latino American figure.
 
"As a symbol of friendship between our two countries and brotherhood between our two people, I offer you this sword that symbolises the struggle of the Liberator (Simon Bolivar) led for independence and against colonialism, in tribute to your path as a fighter for freedom and in tribute to the heroic struggle Saharawi people led for its independence and against colonialism", underlined Mr. Chavez addressing the Saharawi Head of the State.

On his side, the President of the Republic, Mohamed Abdelaziz, offered to his host a Saharawi craftsmen hand-made Commandment accessory, "in recognition of the charismatic and wisdom you incarnate", he underlined. (SPS)

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The President of the Republic in Caracas for a work visit

Caracas, 03/09/04, (SPS) The President of the Republic, Mohamed Abdelaziz, arrived Thursday to the Venezuelan Capital, Caracas, for a visit of work, after his participation beside many other Heads of States and Government last Wednesday to the ceremony of inauguration of the new Panamian President, Martin Torrijos, reported SPS correspondent from Caracas.

Arrived on Thursday afternoon to the Maequita airport, the President of the Republic was received by the Counsellor of the Venezuelan president, Arévalo Mendez, and a number of high officials besides the Saharawi Ambassador to Caracas, El Haj Ahmed.

Having been in Panama, Mr. Abdelaziz took part to the ceremony of inauguration of the new Panamian President, Martin Torrijos, to which more than 10 Heads of States and Governments and an important number of high official delegations had participated.

Mr. Torrijos, who was receiving the President of the Republic, Mohamed Abdelaziz, in margin of this ceremony, reiterated "the determination of the new Government to remain faithful to the & of General Omar Torrijos in the defence of the Saharawi people's right to independence and to strengthen the bilateral relationships between the two people".

On his side, Mr. Abdelaziz saluted "the loyalty with which the people and the successive Government of Panama had defended Saharawi people's right to independence since the leader of Panama, the late Gen. Omar Torrijos, father of the new president, had recognised the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic and established special diplomat relationships with the Saharawi Government". (SPS)

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