SAHARA PRESS SERVICE

Madrid, 06/05/2004 (SPS) Madrid's newspaper, ABC, publicised on Thursday an interview with the President of the Republic, Mohamed Abdelaziz, in which he answers topical questions relative to the relations with the new Spanish Government, referendum, and the internal situation in Morocco. Here is a translation of the complete text of the interview.

" RABAT. Mohamed Abdelaziz follows the last developments of Western Sahara's question in the UN and in Spain, from refugees' camps in Tindouf (Algeria). The Saharawi leader answered the question of the interview collected by ABC from Rabat, and is still convinced that self-determination is the only solution to the problem. He also confirms that violence will take back in the region if UN's mission is dismantled.

-You criticised France for helping Rabat to avoid international legality. Do you think that the convergence between Madrid and Paris mean also a convergence between the two state's positions on Western Sahara?

-Actually, the French negative attitude constituted an obstacle to all international community's efforts for peace. It would be better if Spain tries to influence France, and together set an example of defending international legality. It would be a striking incoherence to fall in the same mistakes criticised in Iraq. Regarding the Saharawi question, the peace plan does not recommend coalitions nor military intervention.

- Spanish President visited Paris and Rabat while Moratinos, Foreign Affairs Minster, visited Algiers, did Polisario have any direct contact with the new Government?

-I completely have no idea about this will to search a «genuine accord» as Mr. Zapatero claimed in Morocco. We did not yet receive any official contact, as a principal party to this conflict. Personally I am ready to meet with the Spanish President in the moment and place that suit him.

-Do you fear from any change in the Spanish position regarding the Sahara?

- So far, the Spanish position was limited to the support to UN's resolutions on the matter. It would be strange that a Government of the left give up defending the principle of self-determination in a matter of decolonisation.

- Do you think that the urgent need to reach a bilateral accord on matters like security and immigration can lead to a convergence between Zapatero and Mohamed VI on the question of Western Sahara?

- The arguments of the Moroccan Monarchy regarding Western Sahara are unacceptable to any democrat who considers himself as such. In the past, Moroccan cards of pressures were fishing and menaces on Ceuta and Melilla, now it is terrorism and illegal immigration. In opposition to the old schemes of violence imposed by the deceased Hassan II, the new King of Morocco must respect, once and for all, the borders of his Kingdom and safeguard his internal stability by struggling against poverty and tolerating more democratic liberties. Madrid should not have to continue sacrificing its interests in the rest of the Magreb in return of exclusive relations with Moroccan Monarchy.

- The King and the Government of Morocco think that an independent Sahara would become a sanctuary of terrorists. Do you think that after the attacks of Casablanca or Madrid this theory can become an argument in favour of Rabat?

- It is an irrelevant propaganda that does not disturb our thoughts. If there is a corner in the Arab and Islamic world immunised against Islamic extremism, that would be Western Sahara. Morocco does not have relevant arguments to blame anybody for this matter. First, there are Moroccan subjects who were implicated in the attacks of the 11 of September in the U.S.A.; the suicidal ones of Casablanca were Moroccans and the perpetrators of the 11 of March in Madrid also were Moroccans. Thus it can be said that Morocco is, at the present time, the true sanctuary of Islamic terrorism. I believe that Moroccan secret services have still not said all of what they know on the matter, particularly in the attacks of Madrid.

- Do you think that Polisario is losing supports in the UN and that it could lose this great opportunity if Rabat is able to block the democratic consultation which the Baker Plan talks about?

- In the contrary. The last report of the Secretary General of the UN and the resolution of the Security Council defend the Baker Plan and the self-determination. The report, in fact warns of the serious consequences of the adoption of the Moroccan proposal relative to autonomy. I believe that it is Morocco
who is in an uncomfortable position

- Do you think that Morocco insist on offering that autonomy to close the door to self-determination?

- It is a useless effort that will cost time to the international community. Morocco was committed before to respect the results of the self-determination, including the option of independence. I still remember Hassán II's words when he said that Morocco would be the first to open an Embassy in El Aaiún if Saharawis voted in favour of independence. Mohamed VI should respect the word of his late father. In any case, any solution that does not respect the legitimate right to the self-determination is inconceivable as far as we are concerned ". (SPS)

010/090/333/TRD 061754 May 04 SPS