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09.06.97
Martyr Day
Like every year, this day was commemorated in the refugee camps. It
coincides with the anniversary of the death of the first leader of
the Polisario Front El Wali Mustafa Sayed fallen on the battlefield
1976.
11.06.97
London meeting I
During four sessions of two hours each, James Baker meets
successively the Moroccan, Saharawi, Algerian and Mauritanian
delegations at Carlton House. The Moroccan delegation ist directed by
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdelatif Filali
accompanied by the ambassador at UN Ahmed Senoussi and Khalil
Haddaoui ambassador of Morocco in the UK. Bachir Mustafa Sayed is the
head of the Saharawi delegation which includes Ahmed Bukhari
representatives at UN, Mohamed Khaddad, coordinator with MINURSO,
Brahim Mokhtar and Brahim SghaÔr, representative of the
Polisario Front in UK and Germany. From Algeria there is the Minister
of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Attaf and from Mauritania Minister-
Secretary General of the Presidence Ahmed ould Minnih.
Before the meeting Bachir M. Sayed repeats that the Saharawi
objective is the national independance and a good neighbourhood
agreement with Morocco.
12.06.97
London meeting II
Next day, after an other encounter with the Moroccans and the
Saharawis, Baker announces that the discussions have convinced him
that the UN peace plan cannot be implemented without direct
discussions between tMorocco and the Polisario Front. He feels
optimistic but prudent. He reveals that the two parts are ready for
concessions and that any autonomy status is out of discussion.
Morocco agrees to take back 50 to 60'000 voter registration demands (
for remember: Morocco deposed 181'000 demands, 142'000 of them are
not included in the Spanish census of 1974, 42'000 settled in W.S. in
1991 and 100'000 still living in Morocco). The Polisario Front
accepts to resume the identification process still maintaining its
reservations about some criterias.
The UN Secretary General convokes the same day by letters Morocco and
the Saharawis for direct negociations in Lisboa on next 23 - 25 of
June. Algeria and Mauritania are also invited as observers. The
confirmation has to be given untill June 17.
The aim of the next round of discussions is to review the numerous
obstacles to the implementation of the peace plan in order to find
solutions. The talks will be confidential and supposed to end with a
global agreement.
The Saharawi part reacted immediately and positively by a declaration
of Bachir Mustafa Sayed ( french or
spanish ). According to an official
Moroccan source cited by MAP : " It was agreed to hold, on June 23
and 24, private technical contacts in order to resolve the problems
posed by the other part (....)."
13.06.97
Solidarity
Festival of Basque pelota (= national sport) in Berriz Bizkaia for
foundraising for the reception of Saharawi children this summer.
Diplomacy
The Saharawi Prime Minister congratulates Lionel Jospin new French
Prime Minister for his victory at the elections and call him again
the important part France can take in order to restore peace in the
Maghreb. The Saharawi Minister of Foreign Affairs did the same for
his French homologue.
New ambassador Habib Boukhreis presented his credentials as extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador to the President of Mauritius.
End of the school year
Hundreds of children will have no opportunity to go to sea or
mountain holidays. They will have to suffer temperatures about 48-50
degrees Celsius. Entertaining, cultural and sports activities will be
organized in the camps and the liberated territories for all them
staying home.
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