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WEEKS 43 - 44 : 17.10.-30.10.2004 |
18.10.04:
Germany
M'Hamed Khaddad, Saharawi coordinator with MINURSO, meets with
representatives of political parties in the Bundestag (parliament),
who "have all expressed their strong support for the Baker plan as
the optimal political solution" for the conflict in Western Sahara.
[SPS]
18 - 20.10.04:
Saharawi Refugee Camps
Conference on the rights of men, women and children, in particular in
the refugee camps, organised by the National Union of Saharawi Women.
It brought together several dozen women from different wilayas, in
addition a large delegation of Swedish women socialists, coming to
"exchange ideas with their Saharawi sisters" and to show their
support and solidarity. The conference was the occasion for
discussions on human rights, more especially concerning women and
children in the circumstances of war, violence against women and the
dangers from the Moroccan wall, which constitutes a permanent
physical violation of human rights. [SPS]
24.10.04:
Switzerland
A Saharawi delegation comprising Mohamed Sidati, Minister delegate
for Europe and Senia Ahmed, Polisario Front representative in
Switzerland, take part in the ordinary congress of the Swiss
Socialist Party, which adopts a resolution on Western
Sahara.[>> resolution text French]
26.10.04:
Fabrication
The Moroccan press agency, MAP, alleges that Serbia-Montegnegro has
withdrawn its recognition of SADR, which it has never recognised! It
was the former Yugoslavia, which no longer exists, which had taken
this step. [statement
from the SADR Ministry of Foreign Affairs/ communiqué MinAE
RASD French]
22.10.04:
Family visits
As part of the Settlement Plan confidence-building measures,
family exchange visits between Saharawis from both sides of the wall,
organised by the UNHCR, will start again on 5 November.
[SPS]
13-14.10.04:
Diplomatic meetings
Thabo Mbeki, President of South Africa, takes up the question of
Western Sahara in Budapest with the British and Spanish Prime
Ministers, alongside the Progressive Governance Summit (14
social democrat governments).
16.10.04:
Japan
On the occasion of the visit of the President of the African Union
Commission, Alpha Konaré, friends of SADR handed him a letter
asking the AU to discuss Western Sahara with the Japanese government.
[>> complete
text]
18.10.04: GA
Fourth Committee ( decolonization) : resolution adopted by vote
The General Assembly's Fourth Committee adopts the draft resolution
A/C.4/59/L.4 [HTML]
- [PDF]
presented by Algeria and co-signatories, by 52 votes in favour, 89
abstentions and numerous absentees. It is the first time that a vote
has been necessary in this Committee.
This resolution, practically identical to that adopted last year by
the GA, December 2003, A/58/109, upholds the right to
self-determination of the Saharawi people and the Baker Plan II as
the optimal solution for the decolonisation of Western Sahara. It no
longer mentions the Personal Envoy, signifying thereby a refusal to
widen the mandate of the new Special Representative, Alvaro de Soto
or to modify the plan in the direction Morocco wanted, supported by
France and Spain, namely by replacing the referendum with autonomy
within Morocco.
The resolution was fiercely resisted by Morocco, but no country, even
its faithful allies, voted against. Nobody dared put into question
the colonial nature of the problem. Abstention, setting aside that of
Morocco and a few of its close supporters (Gabon, Senegal etc) was
motivated by the failure to reach a consensus, but does not signify a
questioning of support for self-determination. [see
summary
of debate in
the UN Press release of 18.10.04 ]
20.10.04:
Secretary General's Report S/2004/287 [PDF]
or [HTML]
By way of introduction, the SG notes that Morocco has not modified
its position of refusing the Baker Plan.
He presents a positive account of the confidence-building measures,
family visits and establishment of telephone links in several camps.
He brings up the problem of the arrival of illegal immigrants to the
region. 53 people are at present being looked after by the Polisario
Front awaiting problematic repatriation. [see also in
week
25-26/04,
the tragedy of the group of 25 people of Asian origin, expelled by
the Moroccan army into the liberated territory, and testimonies in
Spanish,
in French
, and a report in French]
Concerning the food situation of the refugees, Annan points out
the risk of shortage of cereals and other essential commodities by
November 2004 unless additional supplies are made available.
Concluding, Kofi Annan notes bitterly that an agreement between the
parties on the Baker plan "appears more distant today" than in April
2004. He recommends 6 months' extension of MINURSO's mandate.
>> S/2004/287 Arabic, [PDF]
22.10.04,
Baker holds firm
The former personal envoy of the UN Secretary General for Western
Sahara expresses the hope, in response to a message from Bouteflika,
to "see a day when consensus is reached on a political solution which
would be up to settling this conflict, by granting to the people of
Western Sahara the right to self-determination, in accordance with
the resolutions of the UN Security Council."
25.10.04,
Japan
Western Sahara Campaign Tokyo and the Sahara-Japan Kagawa Association
sent an open letter to the Prime Minister and to the Minister for
Foreign Affairs on the subject of Japanese policy towards Western
Sahara. [complete
text]
25.10.04:
Mediation
The Algerian President wishes "that Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa
would start negotiations with Morocco and the Polisario Front on the
decolonisation process in Western Sahara". Bouteflika was speaking in
Johannesburg, on the occasion of the Forum of the New Partnership for
African Development (NEPAD).
26.10.04:
Algeria-Spain
At the end of the official visit of the Algerian Minister for Foreign
Affairs to Madrid, Belkhadem and Moratinos flag up the convergence of
their views on the Baker plan. "The wish of the Spanish government is
to be able to implement the Baker plan", declares the Spanish
Minister of Foreign Affairs during a press conference held in common
with his Algerian counterpart.
28.10.04:
Resolution S/RES/1570 [HTML]
The Security Council unanimously extends MINURSO's mandate until 30
April 2005 and reaffirms its "will to help the parties reach a fair,
lasting and mutually acceptable settlement which allows for the
self-determination of the people of Western Sahara within the
framework of arrangements fitting the aims and principles laid down
in the United Nations Charter." [UN
Press release SC 8232 ,
28.10.04]
28.10.04:
Algeria
President Bouteflika cancels all military parades planned for the
commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the start of the Algerian
War, on 1 November 1954, in order to demonstrate the Algerians'
commitment to peace.
13-14.10.04:
Algiers,
Taking part in the "second intergovernmental meeting on the
prevention and the war against terrorism in Africa", the Saharawi
minister for Justice, Hammada Salma, declares that "Morocco is the
greatest threat to security and stability in North Africa", because,
"instead of committing itself resolutely to the eradication of the
sources of terrorism, arising from religious extremism, drug culture
and illegal immigration to Europe, in addition to poverty and
unemployment, the Moroccan government prefers to turn its back on
this degrading social and political situation which has ended
up changing Morocco into a producer country of terrorism and
terrorists". Salma condemns "the phenomenon of terrorism", affirming
the willingness of the Saharawi government to contribute to the
efforts on the continent aimed at prevention and eradication of this
phenomenon, in all its forms within the framework of an African and
international strategy." [SPS]
18.10.04:
Armaments
Over the last six months, Morocco has bought arms from Spain to the
value of 433,376 euros, "especially adapted for desert warfare",
according to minutodigital of 30.10.04.
21.10.04:
Morocco-USA
The United States are "committed to a political solution" to the
conflict in Western Sahara, the American deputy Secretary of State
responsible for the Near East, William Burns said in
Rabat.
22.10 04:
Driss Basri
The former strongman of Hassan II speaks of "Western Sahara" during a
debate on Al Jazeera, instead of the official "Moroccan Sahara",
which earns him a deluge of abuse in the press.
27.10.04:
Corruption
Certain high-ranking officials from Morocco and the Canary Islands,
including the Moroccan Consul General for the Canaries, Abderrahmane
Leibek (defector and former President of the Saharawi Red Crescent),
the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry from El Ayoun
Hassan Derham, and the President of the Chamber of Commerce of Las
Palmas, José Miguel Suarez Gil, are accused by a Moroccan
daily of being involved in dubious deals. In reaction, the official
responsible for External Trade from the Chamber of Commerce in Las
Palmas, Sergio Galván, resigns in protest. [Aujourd'hui
le Maroc]
28.10.04:
Regionalisation
M'hamed Boucetta, former Istiqlal Minister of Foreign Affairs,
considers that Morocco should organise two referenda to establish
regionalisation, the only solution in his eyes to provide a lasting
solution to the problem of the Sahara.
Mauritania
courted
On 12 October the Mauritanian Minister of Foreign Affairs is received
by Bouteflika, on 14 the King of Morocco receives the Mauritanian
Minister of the Interior, on 21 the Mauritanian President receives
the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, and on 28 the Minister for
Foreign Affiars from Algeria.
21.10.04: Human Rights Watch publishes its 2004 report "Morocco Human Rights at a Crossroads. [ full text ] and Press Release , 21.10.04: "Morocco: Counter-terror Crackdown Sets Back Rights Progress. [Arabic ]
24.10.04:
Ali Salem Tamek
The Saharawi former political prisoner would like to go abroad for
medical treatment, his health having been seriously affected by his
prison spells and hunger strikes. After three requests for a
passport, he launches an appeal for help and announces a sit-in
outside the pachalik of Assa. Letters are sent to the Moroccan
authorities and the Saharawi political prisoners begin hunger
strikes. [Urgent
Appeal]
A committee of support, initiated by a dozen Saharawi human
rights defenders, is formed and demands the Moroccan authorities to
lift this restriction to freedom of movement.
[press
statement French]
25.10.04: Sit-in and demonstration in Assa
Following Tamek's appeal, the Saharawi population in Assa, by means
of several peaceful marches through the town, joins in Tamek's sit-in
outside the pachalik, where various speakers express solidarity with
his demands. [report]
31.10.04: Victory
Tamek's friends announce that he has received his passport and thank
all those who have supported the "Passport for Tamek" action.
In a statement the Collective of Saharawi Human Rights Defenders in
the "territory of Western Sahara under Moroccan control",
congratulates to all the actors of this victory and launches an
appeal for the support of the Saharawi human rights defenders. They
ask for the invalidation of all the professional dismissals,
deportations and interdictions of travelling they have faced
during the last years. They also call for the restitution of all the
passports which have been confiscated by Moroccan authorities.
[French]
26.10.04: UN,
Geneva, the Committee of human rights examines the "fifth periodic
report" from Morocco. Press
release UNHCR
[Human Rights Committee, Fifth
periodic report, Morocco,
CCPR/C/MAR/2004/5,
11 May 2004]
30.10.04. The AMDH, (Moroccan Association for the defence of human rights) publishes its "Report parallel with the Moroccan governmental report".
Third European Social Forum, 15.-17.10.04, London: with the title "Western Sahara : last colony of Africa", a seminar attended by over 200 people, was organised as part of the Forum. [report ] http://arso.org.site.voila.fr/esflondon.html
24.10.04, Basque Country : Big demonstration in Bilbao in favour or self-determination for the Saharawi people.
Sevilla 28.10.04: Demonstration "Sahara : Thirty years on. No more betrayals. Handing in a manifesto to the government.
Refugee Week
in Australia 24-30.10.04
During a benefit night of music, dance and solidarity in support of
the refugees of Western Sahara in Sydney on 27 October, Margaret
Piper, Executive Director of the Refugee Council of Australia said
that the situation of the Saharawis, can not be tolerated. She urged
Australians to do their utmost to support these long-standing
refugees and to lobby the Australian government about this issue.
In Melbourne, Jean McLean, President of the Australian Labor Party
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee of Victoria opened an
exhibition of photographs of Western Sahara and the camps entitled,
"Waiting..." by Georgia Vlassopoulos, saying she had been following
the issue since first meeting Saharawis in 1979 at the 10th
anniversary of Libyan independence. She looks forward to soon
celebrating Saharawi independence in El Ayoun. Afterwards a
documentary "It's a long way to Tifariti" by Sydney-based filmmaker
Yvette Andrews made its Melbourne debut to wide acclaim.
[>> more]
http://arso.org.site.voila.fr/AWSA271004.html
MADRID-MANIFESTACIÓN
Sabado 13 de noviembre 12 horas.
Salida de Atiocha al Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores. Entrega del
manifiesto
Marcha por la libertad del pueblo saharaui
SAHARA 30 AÑOS DESPUES
¡¡ NO MAS TRAICIONES !!
Plataforma civica pro Referendum Sahara Occidental
Coordinadora estatal de Asociaciones de Amistad y Solidaridad con el
pueblo Saharaui
Colloque
organisé par l''Intergroupe parlementaire belge " Paix pour le
Peuple sahraoui "
Vendredi 19 novembre 2004 à 9.30h
Au Parlement belge
Salle de Commission 12 de la Chambre
Rue de Louvain 21 - 1009 BRUXELLES
>> PROGRAMME
Informations, inscriptions: Fax : 02/511.89.19 E-mail :
sahraoui.comite[at]oxfamsol.be
VUELO
CHÁRTER COMUNIDAD VALENCIANA. DICIEMBRE 2004
Del 3 al 11 de diciembre.
Para más información contactar con la Delegación
Saharaui para la Comunidad Valenciana. Tel. y Fax
963.943.389, C/Abadia de San martín, 8-1-1.
46.002 Valencia.
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