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07.-11.11.98 UN SG Kofi Annan's visit in the
Maghreb
Prelude
In his speach in occasion of the anniversary of the "Green March",
on November 6, Hassan II presented to the Saharawis the material
advantages of beeing incorporated to the Kingdom.
The Polisario Front, in a communique, said it regrets the King
persistent intransigence and colonial policy of "fait accompli".
Basri, Minister of Interior, together with the Minister of Finance
Walalou and the Minister of Fishing El Khyari, went to Awsserd (South
of Western Sahara) on November 6, in order to examine the future
arrangements in the city of Awsserd, which "will have to welcome the
Saharawis from the neighbour countries".
On November 8, Basri announced in El Ayun that the King ordered the
construction of 5'000 houses in Awsserd and 15'000 in other parts of
W.S., 20'000 more would be built "on the day after the referendum" to
lodge the "repatriates from Tinduf".
The stages
Nuakshott, 07.11.98
Arriving from Rabat by a private Moroccan airplane, Kofi Annan speaks
with Mauretanian President Wuld Taya.
El Ayun, 08.11.98
Annan is welcomed at the airport by Basri. Along the two kilometers
way to the hotel Parador thousands of people proclaim slogans in
favor of Morocco and wave Moroccan flags and portraits of the King.
The shops were ordered to close. The foreign journalists could not
contact freely the population.
El Ayun, 09.11.98
MINURSO head quarter. Annan in his speach to the UN staff
insists that the delay of the referendum "does not derive from any
lack of initiative or commitment" of the Mission but "from the
complexity of the issue we face, the strength of beliefs on both
sides, and the difficulty of completing a compromise that may
genuinely satisfy both sides." Adding: "We must succeed here if we
are to succeed elsewhere".
Meeting with Saharawi chiefs and other leaders in presence of Basri.
In his speach Annan underlines the importance of a quick ratification
of the proposed agreements. Some shiukhs declare the publication of
the provisory voters list could lead to "a civil war".
In his press conference Kofi Annan pointed out with a touch of irony
the "freedom of expression, the freedom of association and the
freedom of participation" he noted at his arrival at El Ayun.
Marrakesh, 09.11.98
Two hours audience with King Hassan II.
Basri in an interview with AP agency repeats that "there is no third
way".
Salek Bobih, Saharawi Ambassador in Algiers, exprimes in an official
declaration the will and disponibility of the Polisario Front to
cooperate with the UN. He denounces Morrocos attempt to turn the
self-determination referendum into a colonial vote.
Marrakesh, 10.11.98
Meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of
Interior and the Representative at the UN. Later meeting with the
Presidents of the Parliamentary Chambers. Second private audience
with King Hassan II, followed by a larger work session.
No agreement has been found and Filali declares the discussions will
continue. The Moroccan response will be transmitted to the UN by the
diplomatic way at the end of this month.
Marrakesh, 11.11.98
For reason of the Iraqi crisis, Annan stops his visit and
turns to New York. In a telephone call with the Saharawi President he
regrets this suspension and confirms to Mohamed Abdelaziz he will
resume his trip in the region as quick as possible.
Tinduf, 12.11.98
Charles Dunbar meets with the Saharawi Authorities.
An uncompleted journey
In his last
Report, approved by the Security Council, the SG proposed the
following steps:
After the mission of Assistant SG B. Miyet (see
week 43), the SG could announce in his last Report, his proposals
would be accepted and formalized before his visit. This fact was not
confirmed and his trip, unfortunately shortened, became a mission of
conciliation. The discussions with the Moroccan authorities did not
succeed. Morrocco will transmit its answer on November 30.
Why does Morocco persist in obstructing the process, even though its
main demand, the identification of the contested tribes, has been
agreed by the Polisario ? According to serious sources the
identification established an electorate of about 85'000 Saharawi
voters, who belong in great majority to the independentists. And the
results of the identification of the contested tribes will not change
it seriously.
Morocco is caught in its own trap. The publication of the voters list
will cause a shock to the public opinion and the leading politicians,
victims of a policy of "head in the sand", as F. Soudan notes in his
article in Jeune Afrique. That is the reason why Morocco
paradoxically refuses now the publication of this list, hindering
once more a referendum it claims to be held as quick as possible.
11.11.98
European Union
Morocco announces it will not renew the fishing agreements ending
December 1999 in its present terms.
13.11.98
Ecuador
The new SADR Ambassador Hash Ahmed presented his letters of credence
to the President Yamil Mahuad.
SOLIDARITY
Italy
Cultura e Libertà, Una voce per il popolo Saharawi,
conference at the Università Popolare, Rossano, 07.11.98.
Germany
The Saharawi music group "Leyoad" continues with great success
its tour in several main cities of Germany. After Kiel, Lübek,
Husum, Bonn, Darmstadt, Bremen and Hamburg it will play in Frankfurt,
Berlin and Hannover.
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