Pretoria, 14/11/2006 (SPS) The Saharawi Ambassador in South Africa marked the Presence of the Western Sahara at the 9th International Exposition in Pretoria, organised on November the 11th by the South African region Tswane in cooperation with the South African Foreign Affairs Ministry, a close source t the Saharawi Embassy indicated to SPS.

Every year, this International Exposition receives the countries diplomatically represented in South Africa, which can expose their national products and present their culture and traditions.

The Saharawi exposition captured the attention of many visitors, who were able to see Saharawi handcrafts products, photos that illustrate the history of the Saharawi Republic as well as some books that talk about the Morocco-Saharawi conflict.

Some Saharawi Parliament members also members of the African Parliament, who were present in the Saharawi pavilion, gave full explanations on the struggle of the Saharawi people to a curious and supporting audience.

The images and photos that show the gross human rights violations committed by the Moroccan Government against the Saharawi civilians in the occupied territories had in particular attracted the attention of the visitors, who vigorously denounced these crimes perpetrated against peaceful and defenceless civilians. The visitors did not hesitate comparing the Moroccan regime to the notorious regime of the Apartheid under which the South African people were undergoing a similar tragedy.

This 9th International Exposition was inaugurated by Mrs. Sue Van de Merwe, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Mrs. Gwen Ramokgopa, the Mayor of the city of Tswane, who were accompanied by many officials of the South African Ministry for Foreign Affairs as well as some businessmen. (SPS)

010/JEN/100/TRD 141924 NOV 06 SPS

up