21.01.96
The Fifth Swiss Congress of Women, who brought together 2 000
delegates of all women organizations of the country, adopted a
resolution in which it expresses its solidarity with the
Sahrawi women. It supports their efforts to provide a
professionnal formation to women and greets the National Union of
Sahrawi Women for its Third Congress, which will take place on
February 24, 25, 25, 1996 in the refugee camps near Tindouf.
23.01.96
The Secretary-General's report on Western Sahara (S/1996/43)
is a summary of findings of the mission headed by
Under-Secretary-General Chinmaya R. Gharekhan. Mr. Garekhan quoted
"as regards the possibility of talks, Morocco, while not totally
opposed, was of the opinion that a dialogue between the two parties
would not serve much purpose at this stage. For its part the Frente
Polisario strongly favored talks, under the auspicies of the UN or
with the help of a "contact group", which could consist of regional
and non regional states."
The Secretary-General comes out with two options for the Security
Council.
First: to extend the mandate of the MINURSO until 31 May. That should
give enough time for the resumption of the identification process and
an opportunity to test the political will of the parties indeed
rather than merely in words.
Second: the Security Council might conclude that it could not justify
a further extension of MINURSO without imposing conditions by
specified dates, and that, consequently, plans should be prepared for
its phased withdrawal. The Secretary-General, however, added that
such action could have destabilizing consequences for the region.
23.01.96
For the first time the European Commission decided to co-finance a
development project in the sahrawi refugee camps. It concerns a
school for para-medical professions. It is a project of "Enfants
réfugiés du Monde", France.
25.01.96
M. Bachir M. Sayed, sahrawi coordinator with MINURSO meets the UN
Secretary-General in New York.
25.01.96
Polisario Front blames France for its lack of participation to the
efforts of seeking a peaceful solution in the Western Sahara
conflict. "No definitive solution will be found without the
contribution of France" affirms Bachir Mustafa Sayed, number 2 of
Polisario at a meeting in New York with some french-speaking
journalists. Sahrawis are victims of this situation and suffering,
while France has the possibility to influence the issue of the
conflict, he added. Once more the Sahrawi leader appealed to direct
talks with Morocco, proposing Marseille in south of France as a
possible location.
25.01.96
Rumours around King Hassan's throne
According to Reuters the Moroccan King is giving up some of his
powers in favor of his son, Crown Prince Sidi Mohamed. An opposition
newspaper spoke in an editorial of a possible change in the
Governement with Driss Basri as prime Minister during a transition
period, in charge to prepare a referendum for a constitutionnal
amendment to reform Parliament in a more democratic way. On the other
side the Algerian daily newspaper "Liberté", affirms that
Hassan II is creating a Regency Council in charge to manage public
affairs in case of King's death until the inthronisation of the Crown
Prince. According the newspaper Prince Mohamed is not able to assume
the function. Hassan II would prefer his other son Rachid. But only a
Regency Council could change the moroccan rule transmitting the
throne to the first-born son of the king and install an other son on
the throne.