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STATEMENT OF Mr MHAMED KHADAD
Member of the Leadership of the Frente POLISARIO and Coordinator with MINURSO
The Frente POLISARIO is pleased that, in the resolution that it has just adopted, the Security Council has decided, once again, to consolidate and enshrine international legality concerning the question of Western Sahara as well as the rectitude and justness of the Sahrawi cause.
It is also pleased that, in reaffirming the relevance of resolutions 1754 and 1783 that have defined the framework and ultimate goal of the ongoing direct negotiations between the Frente POLISARIO and the Kingdom of Morocco, the Council has categorically rejected the vague attempts and manoeuvres aimed at derailing the negotiation process and distorting the decolonisation character of the Moroccan-Sahrawi conflict, whilst publically rebuffing their author.
The Frente POLISARIO is equally delighted that the Security Council has solemnly reaffirmed that there is no political solution to the conflict outside the context of the exercise by the people of Western Sahara of their
inalienable right to self-determination, and applauds the determination of the Security Council to follow with vigilance the ongoing negotiation process and its commitment to a just and lasting settlement that is in full conformity with international legality.
On this occasion, it would like to call on the Kingdom of Morocco to show realism and a spirit of compromise, as called for by the Security Council, departing from the fact that in Western Sahara there is firstly an undeniable national reality sustained by a people certain of their right, and subsequently that there is no country in the world that recognises Morocco's sovereignty over any inch of the Sahrawi territory, and finally that the Sahrawi proposal for the settlement of the conflict, which is based on the right to
self-determination, combines generosity, realism, respect for human rights and attachment to international reality.
Meanwhile, the Frente POLISARIO regrets deeply that the Security Council, due to the intransigence of France that claims to be the cradle of human rights, has not called explicitly for the respect for human rights in Western Sahara whilst the great majority of the Member States of the Council as well as the Secretary-General and international specialised NGOs have revealed massive violations of these rights and other acts of repression perpetrated by the Moroccan occupying forces in the occupied territories. It is for this reason that the Frente POLISARIO would like to launch a pressing and solemn appeal to the international community to assume the responsibility
incumbent upon it with regard to the protection of the Sahrawi population under occupation, and implementing the recommendations of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in this regard.
Whilst reiterating its readiness to pursue and intensify the ongoing negotiations with the Kingdom of Morocco with a view to implementing the Security Council resolutions, the Frente POLISARIO would like to reaffirm forcefully and resolutely its conviction that the only avenue leading to a just and final settlement of the conflict and opening prospects for cooperation and progress for all the peoples of the region remains the ballot boxes and the free and democratic exercise by the Sahrawi people of their inalienable right to self-determination and independence through a
fair referendum in line with the doctrine and practice of the United Nations relating to decolonisation. This is the realist way. Any other way would be a real denial of justice that would reward the aggressor and perpetuate the conflict with all the dangerous consequences that this situation implies.
New York, 30 April 2008
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For further background, see also:
- Reuters: UN council urges realism in Western Sahara dispute, May 1, 2008
- UN News Centre: Security Council extends UN mission in Western Sahara, May 1, 2008
- Security Council: The situation concerning Western Sahara. Report of the Secretary-General on the situation concerning Western Sahara (S/2008/251), 30 April 08
- Reuters: UN envoy calls Sahara independence unrealistic, Apr 22, 2008
- Polisario's closing statement, Manhasset negotiations IV, Mar 19, 2008
- Polisario's opening statement, Manhasset negotiations IV, Mar 17, 2008
- CSIS: Western Sahara After Three Negotiating Rounds: What Is To Be Done?, Mar 5, 2008
- AFP: UN envoy not satisfied with WSahara talks: report, Feb 15, 2008
- Spero News: No progress at latest Western Sahara talks, Jan 17, 2008
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Forwarded by:
Norwegian Support Committee for Western Sahara
*** Referendum now! ***
www.vest-sahara.no
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sahara-update
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