Western Sahara: The Moroccan plan is an obstacle to a solution

The Moroccan autonomy plan for Western Sahara is an obstacle to resolving the conflict in this former Spanish colony annexed in 1975 by Morocco, said Sunday the Polisario Front in a statement.

•     “The Moroccan autonomy, presented by Rabat as the only solution to take it or leave, is now the obstacle to the just and lasting solution to the conflict in Western Sahara,” said the communiqué.
  
      This solution can not be conceived outside of the full satisfaction of the legitimate and inalienable rights of the Sahraoui people to self-determination and independence,” said the text signed by Mohamed Salem Ould Salek, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Sahraoui Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), proclaimed by the Polisario in 1976 but not recognized by the United Nations.
  
      Morocco is ready to create “conditions to ensure success of the 5th round of negotiations with the Polisario Front on Western Sahara, said Saturday in Rabat, the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Tayeb Fassi Fihri.
  
      The offer of Morocco is “a simple initiative, not a detailed agreement to take or leave,” said Minister of Morocco. It is part of a solution which can be negotiated in its terms.”
  
      The head of the Moroccan diplomacy has however rejected the idea of holding a referendum on self-determination as advocated by the Polisario.
  
      These statements do not help “create the atmosphere conducive to the success of the 5th round between the Polisario Front and Morocco,” says Salem Ould Salek's release.
  
      The two parties began four rounds of negotiations which have hindered, under the auspices of the United Nations in Manhasset, near New York, and another round is planned for an unspecified date.
  
      “It is clear that Morocco persists in its traditional attitude of intransigence by clinging to the impossible legitimacy of its colonial past in Western Sahara”, in an approach which “hinders the construction of the Arab Maghreb cohesion, peace and regional stability,” said the Polisario in its release.
  
      
  Ennaharonline/ M. O.