SAHARA PRESSE SERVICE

Tifariti (liberated territories), 07/07/2005 (SPS) An association for the promotion of the French-Saharawi cultural relations (APRCFS- in French) was created this week in Tifariti in the liberated territories of SADR, announced a press release by the Association, of which SPS received a copy.

Chaired by Mrs. Nouara Mohamed, and a Permanent Bureau composed of three members, the APRCFS designated as its main goal to promote French language teaching for Saharawis, Western Sahara been the only Spanish speaking country in the region, as well as the cultural exchange between both sides’ communities, the press release emphasised. (SPS)

010/090/100/ALG/TRD 070923 Jul 05 SPS

Saragossa, 07/07/2005 (SPS) A Spanish delegation, composed of parliamentarians and representatives of the civil society of Aragon, was not allowed by Moroccan authorities to visit the occupied capital of Western Sahara, El Aaiun, where it was planning to investigate on the human rights situation widely abused by Moroccan colonial forces, reported Spanish Press agencies.

Four members of Aragon’s Parliament, representatives of the two main Spanish Trade Unions (UGT and CC.OO), as well as members of the Association "Um Draiga" for the support of the Saharawi people, formed the group coming from Aragon. They could not get through to El aaiun, because the air company, "Top Fly", which offers the flight from Las Palmas (Canary Islands) to El Aaiun, informed them of the Moroccan colonial authorities ban of the landing of their plane.

The President of the Popular Party (PP), the first Party of opposition in Spain Gustavo Alcalde, estimated that the veto imposed by the Moroccan Government against the visit of the members of Aragon’s Parliament, is "absolutely unacceptable". He called the Spanish Government to react within the framework of the defence of Aragon deputies’ rights.

The delegation was composed of the members of Aragon’s Parliament, Adolfo Barrena (IU), Yolanda Vallés (PP), Gonzalo Gonzalez (CHA) and Teresa Perales (PAR), besides representatives of UGT and CC.OO and members of the Association "Um Draiga". (SPS)

010/090/666/ALG/TRD 071130 Jul 05 SPS

SPS
OCCUPIED TERRITORIES/ITALY/INTIFADA
D.L. La Margherita Party calls Morocco to respect human rights in Western Sahara

Roma, 07/07/2005 (SPS) Italian Democracy, Liberty La Margherita (D.L. La Margherita) expressed its indefectible support to the Saharawi people’s cause and called on Morocco to respect human rights in Western Sahara, according tp a press release signed by the Party’s person n charge for Foreign Affairs, the Europe Parliamentarian, Lapo Pistelli, publicised Wednesday in Roma, of which SPS received a copy.

The Party of the former European Commissioner, Romano Prodi, be associated to the international community so as "violence and repressive actions" against Saharawis in "the occupied territories" stop.

He also asked for t opening of negotiations between "the Government of Morocco and the authorities of SADR to reach a solution for the self-determination of the Saharawi people", as well as the nomination of a new Special Envoy for Western Sahara so as to finish the Mission of the Minurso.

The Italian political party, (coalition of the central left) also expressed its "solidarity with the Saharawi population, which continues peacefully, since 30 years, to claim for its right to self-determination". It estimated that the recent popular demonstrations in El Aaiun to denounce Moroccan occupation of the former Spanish colony must be interpreted as "the expression of the extreme frustration in which the Saharawi population is living because of the lack of a just and fair solution to the conflict".

The Party deplored "the extreme harshness with which Moroccan authorities intervened against peaceful demonstrators", giving an with the current trials against many demonstrators and condemnation to 20 years imprisonment were pronounced last week, expressing its fear that "similar condemnation be repeated in the next trials that will start in the future". (SPS)

010/090/666/ALG/TRD 071813 Jul 05 SPS

SPS
RASD/UNITED KINGDOM/CONDOLENCES
The President of the Republic expresses Saharawi people’s condolences to British people

Bir Lehlou (liberated territories), 07/07/2005 (SPS) The President of the Republic, Mohamed Abdelaziz, expressed his condolences on behalf of Saharawi people to te British people and Government, vehemently condemning "the terrorist acts" that stroke the British capital Today

Here is the complete text of the letter the Head of the State sent to the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, of which SPS received a copy.

" H.E. Mr. Tony Blair,
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom,
10 Downing Street
London SW1A 2AA

Bir Lehlou, 7 July 2005

Excellency,

It was with great sadness that we learnt of the heinous terrorist attacks that targeted London this morning.

On my behalf and on behalf of the Saharawi people, I would like to convey to your Excellency and to all the families of the victims and to the British people our most sincere condolences and profound sympathy.

I would also like to express our vehement condemnation of these terrorist acts and all forms of indiscriminate violence that not only target innocent human lives but also strike at the very heart of the noble values of freedom, democracy and tolerance cherished by all free nations. Indeed, it is these set of values that London has always represented for all peoples of the world as a great symbol of social, cultural and religious peaceful co-existence that is being targeted today by these inhuman and condemnable acts of terrorism.

I avail myself of this opportunity to reiterate to your Excellency that the British people can always count on the solidarity and sympathy of the Saharawi people as we have demonstrated on various occasions.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Mohamed Abdelaziz,
President of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic,
Secretary-General of the Frente POLISARIO". (SPS)

060/090/ALG 072202 Jul 05 SPS

SPS
OCCUPIED TERRITOIRES/HUMAN RIGHTS/INTERNATIONA CAMPAIGN
168 European Parliamentarians support the International Campaign for the Release of Saharawi political prisoners

Chahid El Hafed (Saharawi refugee camps), 07/07/2005 (SPS) 168 European Parliamentarians support the International Campaign for the release of the Saharawi political prisoner, Aminatou Haidar, and all Saharawi political prisoners.

The 168 European Parliamentarians signed with their names, indicating their political groups, on an open list of support to the international campaign launched from the occupied territories to demand the release of the Saharawi political prisoners, who were arrested by Moroccan colonial authorities during the peaceful demonstrations Saharawi occupied cities witnessed last May and June.

An international Campaign for the release of Aminatu Haidar and all Saharawi political prisoners was launched, last June the 26th, simultaneously in occupied territories of Western Sahara and in other capitals in Europe, the USA and Australia, announced a press release publicised in El Aaiun by the Steering Committee of the campaign. (SPS)

060/090/ALG 072317 Jul SPS