Alava (Basque Country - Spain), 27/10/2005 (SPS) The visit of the President of the Republic, Mohamed Abdelaziz, to the Basque Country ended Wednesday by meetings with the political officials of the provinces of Alava and Gipuzkoa, indicated sources from the Saharawi presidential delegation.

The Head of the State informed his interlocutors about the last developments of the Saharawi people’s struggle for its self-determination and independence. He stressed "the clear intransigence of the Moroccan Government, which refuses to abide by the international legality and organised a self-determination referendum for the Saharawi people", the same source indicated.

"During these meetings, Mr. Abdelaziz also denounced Moroccan human rights violations in Western Sahara and the waves of repression, tortures, deportation and iniquitous trials to which Saharawi population is subjected to in the occupied territories of Western Sahara". He further called for "the opening of the Saharawi territory to the international medias and organisations", the same source said.

The President of the Republic was before received by the President of the autonomous region of Basque, Juan José Ibarretxe, who affirmed that his Government and himself will continue defending the Saharawi cause before the Spanish Central Government and within the European bodies, so as the Saharawi people "does not become the forgotten people of the 21st century" and its "right as a people to chose its future" be present in all international forums.

Mr. Ibarretxe took "a solemn engagement" as President of the Basque’s Government to "work side by side with you, support you and cooperate with you for he amelioration of the conditions of your women and men in the refugee camps", estimating that it is inconceivable that the international organisation stop their humanitarian aid to the Saharawis in exile. (SPS)

010/090/100/TRD 271936 oct 05 SPS

up