SAHARA PRESS SERVICE

Algiers, 17/08/2004 (SPS) The relationships between Algeria and Morocco must not depend on “unacceptable conditions" like the establishment of the "fait accompli in Western Sahara and the contempt for the international legality", indicated an Algerian authorised source quoted by Algerian Press Service (APS).

"Like all the international community, Algeria considers that it is a matter of a decolonisation to achieve and that any solution has inevitably to pass through the exercise by the Saharawi people of its right to self-determination, through a regular and free referendum", emphasised the same source.

Further, the source indicated that the efforts, accepted by all those who contributed in the search for a just and lasting solution to the conflict on behalf of the international community, had resulted to "the plan of the AUO and the UNO and to the Huston accords and the Baker Plan".

"Although all these accords and plans were agreed upon by the Kingdom of Morocco and Polisario Front, their implementation is now questioned by the Moroccan party, which persists in ignoring the international legality and suggesting solutions outside the same", deplored the same source.

In this respect, the source added,” Algeria reaffirms in the most solemn way that it can not and does not want to substitute for Polisario Front, which is the legitimate and only representative of the Saharawi people, and that any attempt in the up mentioned direction will only delay peace in Western Sahara and lead to the impasse".
       
Nevertheless, Algeria, aid the source, "continues nourishing the hope to see its relationships with Morocco cleared of unilateral actions", underlining that out of transparency Algeria put these relationships with the Kingdom of Morocco in "a juridical framework built on the basis of mutual respect of each side's interests and within a spirit of brotherhood and good neighbourhood".

"Algeria, concluded the source, remains ready to work with the Kingdom of Morocco to re- dynamise the bilateral relationships and build the Maghreb Arab Union on the basis of the principles of good neighbourhood and mutual respect, within the framework of the brotherhood binding the two people, and within the strict respect of the international legality, which should be imposed on everybody and accepted willingly by everybody".

It should be recalled that the Algerian President, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, had reaffirmed in a letter he sent to UN' Secretary General, Kofi Annan, that “this conflict is opposing Saharawi people to the occupying power, Morocco", stressing that “any settlement should necessarily be agreed upon by the two parties. Thus, we will consider as a pure delaying procedure any attempt to put the conflict in a Moroccan-Algerian context, because Algeria can not and does not want to be substituted to Saharawi people in the determination of their future".

On his side, the President of the Republic, Mohamed Abdelaziz, had affirmed in an interview to Algerian newspaper "El Watan" publicised in the 11th August that the Baker Plan "is a unit that can not be re-discussed", it should be implemented, he said, "without been changed". (SPS)


010/090/700/TRD 172120 August 04 SPS

SPS
SADR/VENEZUELA/GREETINGS
The President of the Republic congratulates his Venezuelan counterpart for his victory

Bir Lehlou, 17/08/2004 (SPS) The President of the Republic, Mohamed Abdelaziz, addressed Monday a message of congratulation to his Venezuelan counterpart, Hugo Chavez Frias, after the latter's overwhelming victory in the popular votes over the legitimacy of his presidential mandate, which took place Sunday in Venezuela.
 
Here is the complete text of the letter, translated by SPS:

" To His Excellency Hugo Chavez Frias

Bir Lehlu; 16 August 2004

Excellency,

We learned with great satisfaction the news of your large victory in the popular votes over the legitimacy of your presidential mandate.
 
This victory is, to the Saharawi people who are struggling for their rights and to me personally a personal achievement. For this I would like to express you, Excellency, and the people of Venezuela our sincere congratulation.
 
The results of this votes confirmed again the validity and viability of the social and economical plan your Excellency has established, which is not only a valid plan for Latino America but also for all the third world.
 
I do not doubt that this extraordinary victory will help a lot in the reinforcement of the wide and brotherly relationships that bind our two countries, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).
 
Finally, accept your Excellency my deepest feelings of respect and consideration.

Mohamed Abdelaziz
President of the SADR
Secretary General of Polisario Front". (SPS)

020/090/100/TRD 171210 August 04 SPS