SAHARA PRESS SERVICE

Bir Lehlou, 09/06/04 (SPS) The President of the Republic, Mr. Mohamed Abdelaziz, addressed a letter to his American counterpart, George W. Bush, on Monday, to express the Saharawi point of view regarding  the designation of the Kingdom of Morocco as a Major Non-NATO Ally of the United Sates of America, exhorting him  to convince Morocco to respect the international legality.

Here is bellow the complete text of the letter publicised on Monday.
"
To H.E George W. Bush
President of Unites States of America
Washington D.C

Dear Mr. President,

I am writing to bring to your attention our views following the designation of the Kingdom of Morocco as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) of the United Sates of America on 3rd June 2004.

First of all I would like to congratulate you on your Middle East Reform Plan. I would like to reassure you that we share your ideas that democracy and reform will make the nations of the Middle East stronger and more stable. They make the world more secure by undermining terrorism at its source. In time, the nations of the Middle East will find, that the only path to true progress is the path of freedom and justice and democracy.

We in Western Sahara have been striving for freedom, stability and democracy in our part of the world. Our commitment to build a modern nation is strong. It stems from the desire of our people and is enriched by our already existing institutions.

As you will be aware, we were invaded and had to flee our homeland. Our civilian population was bombarded by napalm and cluster bombs. A war was imposed on us for 17 years but we have not lost hope that one day we will have peace and build a modern and democratic state that respects human rights and established relations of friendship and co-operation with its neighbours.

Morocco occupies Western Sahara in clear violation of UN resolutions and the verdict of the International Court of Justice. There are documented cases of hundreds of our people disappeared and being murdered. Torture, harassment and intimidation are widespread in the occupied  territories of our country. These are sealed off from the outside world by a sand wall with landmines, barbed wire and soldiers. Morocco has been plundering our natural resources in violation of international law.

Last year, the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, and his personal Envoy for Western Sahara, the former US Secretary of State, Mr. James Baker, presented to the Security Council, a compromise solution called “Peace Plan for the self-determination of the people Western Sahara”, contained in report S/2003/565 of 23rd May 2003. The Security Council reaffirmed its support to the Peace Plan “as an optimum political solution” in its Resolution 1541 (2004) of 29 April 2004.

The Polisario Front responded favourably to the call of the Security Council, by accepting the Peace Plan. This gesture was motivated by the sincere desire to give a new chance to peace and to offer a concrete possibility for stability and harmony in the Maghreb region. Morocco on the other hand declared its rejection to the latest Peace Plan.Throughout 29 years of occupation, the Saharawi people have conducted their struggle for freedom within international norms and avoided any untoward actions.

Because of Morocco’s rejection of all UN Security Council proposals to solve the conflict in Western Sahara in a peaceful and just manner, and due the fact that the current cease-fire remains fragile until a complete resolution of the conflict, we are deeply concerned that Morocco could take advantage of its status as a Major Non-NATO Ally and embark on an arms race. Such a policy will have a negative impact on stability and harmony in the Maghreb region. Also, it will exhaust  Morocco’s limited resources and have dire consequences for its internal stability. Furthermore, Morocco may see it as a signal to continue in its defiance of international legality.

We believe that stable Morocco is paramount for peace and progress in the whole Maghreb region. But stability in Morocco can only be achieved if a just and lasting resolution to the conflict in the Western Sahara is accomplished.

The dangers to Morocco's stability stem from Morocco itself. The Moroccan regime has to find genuine solutions to problems such as the conflict in Western Sahara, poverty, corruption, democracy, and respect for human rights.

The independence of the Western Sahara would be of great benefit and help to Morocco. Not only will Morocco be able to enjoy fruitful relations with an independent Saharawi republic but it will also be able to make use of  millions of dollars that are spent daily on the maintenance of the occupation of the Western Sahara for other productive projects.

Morocco will also be able to redirect the energy and attention that it is currently focusing on the Saharawi conflict for other issues of concern to the Moroccan people, like poverty, health and education.

A just solution of the Western Sahara conflict will certainly create an atmosphere of harmony, peace and co-operation among the countries of the region that will be of great benefit to all and accelerate the establishment of the Maghreb Union.

It is only by respecting international law, human rights, and democratic norms, and by abandoning its aggression in, occupation of a foreign country, that Morocco could be considered as a respectable member of the community of nations.

We hope that your Government will encourage Morocco to respect international legality and abide by the decisions of the UN Security Council with regard to the implementation of the latest Peace Plan for self-determination in Western Sahara.

We urge you to ensure that Morocco, with its new status, not use American weapons against the people of Western Sahara. The innocent lives of our people are now more than ever in real danger.

Please accept the assurance of my highest consideration.
Bir Lahlou, 7th June 2004
Mohamed Abdelaziz,
Secretary General of POLISARIO Front and President of the SADR". (SPS)
060/090/100 091046 juin 04 SPS