SPS RASD/MAROC/ALGERIE/MEDIAS "The referendum on
self-determination is the unique definitive solution to the conflict of
Western Sahara", declares Bassri
08.12.04
Algiers,
08/12/04 (SPS) Former Moroccan interior minister under the rule of king
Hassan II, M. Driss Bassri, declared Tuesday in an interview to
Algerian newspaper El Khabar, that "the referendum on
self-determination is the unique definitive solution to the conflict of
Western Sahara", emphasising the need to respect the international
legality in the settlement of the problem.
In an interview to the Algerian Arabic-speaking newspaper "El Khabar",
reproduced by the London based newspaper "El Hayat", the strong man of
the period of the late King of Morocco, Hassan II, declared that " the
referendum on self-determination is the unique definitive solution to
the conflict of Western Sahara", underlining that this position "is the
one Hassan II adopted", since the beginning.
"There is a problem in Western Sahara and there are U.N resolution
taken since 1967", he affirmed, adding that the self-determination for
the Saharawi people "is not a new idea, it is a claim and a way to deal
with this question", since it is a problem of a non completed
decolonisation.
Mr. Bassri affirmed that this position he lately defends in many
interviews does not come from nowhere, because it is Hassan II who
"deposited an official demand during the summit of the African Union
Organisation held in Nairobi in which he declared that Morocco accepted
to organise a referendum in Western Sahara".
He admitted however that the Moroccan Government had always called
"this region "Moroccan" Sahara, but if this area was really Moroccan,
he added, we would not have resorted to the united nations nor to the
AUO summit of Nairobi", to help in the organisation of a referendum on
self-determination for the Saharawi people.
On another hand, Mr. Bassri declared to be in disagreement "with those
who say that the question of Western Sahara is facing a deadlock",
because UN's resolutions are very clear in their consideration of the
referendum on self-determination as an obligatory passage for any
definitive solution to the conflict. This is why it is included in all
peace plans starting from the "settlement plan of 1991, which was
reviewed in Houston with James Baker, and which can not be ignored", he
recalled.
The UN is clear in its consideration of the settlement of the question
of Western Sahara starting from the principle of the achievement of the
decolonisation. And for that UN's pertinent resolutions had always
considered the solution to the conflict through Saharawi people
inalienable right to self-determination. Thus, emphasised Bassri,
“neither Morocco, nor Algeria nor Polisario nor even Spain or all the
members of the United Nations have got the right to violate" these
resolutions.
Giving his opinion about what was called "the third way or autonomy",
which is defended now by the actual Moroccan Government and France, the
former Vizier of Hassan II declared that he has always opposed this
vision, "because the idea is not serious and do not lead to a
definitive settlement of the problem, instead, this attempts would
complicate things, especially if we talk about a wide autonomy under
international control and under the aegis of the United States and
France", he concluded. (SPS)
SPS OCCUPIED
TERRITORIES/SOUTH MOROCCO/HUMAN RIGHTS Saharawi unemployed graduates
declare their decision to start a hunger strike on Friday
Assa (south Morocco), 08/12/04
(SPS) Saharawi unemployed graduates declared Tuesday their decision to
"start a hunger strike on Friday the 10 of December 2004", indicated a
letter by the graduates to Moroccan and international organisations, of
which SPS received a copy.
The letter talks a bout a the Saharawi graduates, living in this
Moroccan province, decision to "start a hunger strike on Friday the 10
of December 2004, in protest and condemnation", to the irresponsible
attitude of Moroccan authorities after "the failure of all attempts of
negotiations that we started with the Governor of the province of
Assa-Zak, which did not reach concrete solutions to our claims", they
underlined.
Addressing international organisations of human rights, the graduates
called "all human rights defenders to exert pressures on Moroccan
authorities to positively answer our legitimate claims to work and to
our human rights", underlined the text.
The Saharawi graduates, "who began to suffer from diseases such as
rheumatism and haemorrhoids…etc, because of the hard conditions of the
weather", claims for "their rights to work as guaranteed by
international human rights conventions", and had organised, since Last
November the 19th, a sit-in in front of the seat of the Pacha of Assa
(Moroccan official in charge of provincial services of the Makhzen), it
should be recalled. (SPS)
SPS OCCUPIED
TERRITORIES/SOUTH MOROCCO/HUMAN RIGHTS Saharawi students in Zak and
Assa organised a sit-in of solidarity with Saharawi unemployed
graduates
Assa (south Morocco), 08/12/04
(SPS) Saharawi students in the secondary school of Zak organised a on
day sit-in last Monday within the school in solidarity with the
Saharawi unemployed graduates of the province of Assa-Zak, who started
an unlimited sit-in since last November the 19th.
In a communiqué publicised Monday, of which SPS received a copy,
the students of the secondary school declared their "solidarity and
unconditional support to the Saharawi unemployed graduates, who are
undertaking a sit-in since 18 days already, to claim for their human
rights to work and dignity".
On another hand, the students of primary schools in Assa organised a
march of support and solidarity with the graduates, last Sunday,
indicated the same source.
On their side, the Saharawi students of the Teachers' High School of
Assa paid a visit of solidarity to the demonstrators in front of the
Seat of the Pacha, it was indicated. (SPS)
SAHARA
PRESS SERVICE