SAHARA PRESS SERVICE

Madrid, 11/05/2004 (SPS) The Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister, Miguel Angel Moratinos, accorded an interview, Monday, to the Spanish newspaper, ABC, of which we reproduce here a passage relating to the question of the conflict in Western Sahara, translated by SPS.

"Question: It seams that the relationship between Spain and Morocco entered a new stage after the visit of Rodriguez Zapatero to Casablanca. Still, we cannot forget that the detonator of the last crisis between the two countries was the problem of the Sahara, which remains present. The Polisario Front fears to be let down by the new Government, after its bringing together with Morocco, thus giving up its support to the self-determination of the Saharawi people and the Baker Plan?

Answer: The previous government did not have problems with Morocco concerning the Sahara because it expresses a position and its opposite at the meantime. Sometimes it supports the most favourable position to the Saharawi people, others it is inclined to support the Moroccan theses. There was no serious policy, no privileged relationships with a partner who has such a strategic dimension for Spain.

These relationships were hardly built by the former Governments and we managed to conclude a treaty of friendship and co-operation, thanks to which instruments of dialogue and comprehension were set up to avoid these usual crisis with a neighbour with which we always had uneasy relations, to talk about Morocco. Confidence and comprehension that should have prevailed between the authorities were not turned to account. Yet, Western Sahara is one of the essential elements to build the relationship with Morocco and with the whole Maghreb.

We will try to make compatible the absolute respect of the references of the United Nations, where we unanimously voted for a resolution in which the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination was reaffirmed, but also a will to find a common political agreement between the parties. It is not a dilemma between the plan of UN and a bilateral political agreement between the parties. It is an element of complimentarity. If there is a Government which is engaged in favour of the Saharawi people, that would be the socialist Government. We maintained and kept for years the unavoidable references to Saharawis rights

Q : Did Spain change its policy towards Western Sahara?

A : Well yes! Because now it is not the hypocritical policy any more, because now we want a solution. We will work to find a solution within the framework of the references of the United Nations and within what was an international trajectory of international defence of Saharawi people's right to self-determination.

Q : In this new relationship with Morocco, do you think that you will have the support of France, the kind of absent support this last years?

A : If Algeria and Morocco receive distinct messages from Paris and Madrid, we will not be able to advance. The parties should receive the same message from the countries that have a certain influence in the area, like the United States, France and Spain. We must agree to resolve the problem. As far as
that goes, we start a reflection with our French colleagues so that we can, together, find a solution that can satisfy the main actors. It is up to Morocco and Polisario then to accept this proposal or not, according to the margin of manoeuvre each will have." (SPS)

010/090/666/TRD 111423 May 04 SPS

SPS
SADR/UNION OF WORKERS/CONGRESS
Continuation of the preparations for the 5th Congress of Saharawi workers


Chahid El Hafed, 11/05/2004 (SPS) The preparations for the fifth Congress of the General Union of the Workers of Saguiya el Hamra and Rio de Oro (UGTSARIO), which will be held from the 19 to next 21 May, "continue under good conditions at the levels of the wilayas and national institutions", according to an official statement of the organisation SPS received.

The meetings of the congress of Martyr, Lemen Mohamed Chaibine, which will be held under the topic "struggle and solidarity for independence and development", were preceded by preparatory political conferences at the level of the working sectors in the different wilayas and national institutions, it was indicated.

The preparing committee expects more than four hundred deputy and foreign guests of trade-unions of Algeria, Spain, Portugal, France, Denmark, Hungary and Italy, who already announced their willingness to take part to the congress, the organizers had indicated.

"All the conditions were fulfilled so that the participants can be present on next 18 May at the School of 27 February", where the congress will be held, and in which it will be proceeded to " the evaluation of the work of the organisation during the four past years and to the election of a new Secretary General to the UGTSARIO", emphasised the communiqué. (SPS)

010/090/300/TRD 111530 May 04 SPS