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WEEKLY NEWS |
19.-25.12.1999
15.12.99
Cancellation
Antonio Guterres, Prime Minister of Portugal, expressed regret that
it was not currently possible to organize the Euro-African Summit,
proposed four years ago by Lisbon. The Summit, which was supposed to
be held in Cairo in April 2000, could not be organized due to
Morocco's refusal to agree to the participation of the
SADR.
18.12.99
Referendum - UN
Meeting in Brussels, the Task Force for the coordination of Sahrawi
support committees, restated the need to proceed without further
delay with the self-determination referendum in the Western Sahara.
It expressed its surprise at the UN Secretary-General's statement
that the referendum must be postponed as a result of the failure of
the two parties to agree. The Task Force stated that if he wants to
prevent another UN failure, the Secretary-General must abandon his
role as passive observer, and carry out his mandate, namely the
implementation of the peace plan. The Task Force also emphasized
Europe's, and in particular the former colonial power Spain's
responsibility to take action in the face of Moroccan repression in
the occupied territories of the Western Sahara, as well as the
planned construction of a nuclear power plant in Tan-Tan, Morocco,
and to take into account Sahrawi interests during the negotiation of
fishing accords with Morocco.
In an urgent message to Kofi Annan, the Task Force stated that "the
Polisario Front agreed to a democratic vote by the Sahrawi people on
the future of the Sahrawi nation. Today, the United Nations is
responsible for obliging Morocco to respect the rules that the two
parties agreed to." The message also urged that the Western Sahara
must not become another East Timor and that the Secretary-General and
the institutions he represents should be the guarantors of the
Sahrawis' fundamental rights, that the Sahrawi should not have to
continuously pay with their lives for the procrastination, slowness
and failures on the part of the international community.
19.12.99
Sahrawi manoeuvres
The Sahrawi army conducted manoeuvres in the region of Mijik, 3rd
military region (unoccupied zones), for over four hours. Hundreds of
combatants, dozens of armed missiles, artillery, anti-aircraft
artillery and logistics participated in the exercises. While these
manoeuvres were scheduled, they also represent preparation for a
resumption of armed struggle, according to a statement by Hamma
Salama, commander of the 3rd military region
(SPS).
19.12.99
Arrests
After spending six days blindfolded in military barracks, and
subjected to torture, the three Sahrawis who were arrested on
December 6 were transferred to the prison in Inezgane, close to
Agadir. Suspected of passing intelligence to Polisario, according to
"documentation seized in their homes," they may stand trial for
violating State security According to the Moroccan press, they
transmitted "information" to the Polisario Front during their
"frequent travels" abroad, particularly to France and the Canary
Islands. They are to appear in court "shortly" in Agadir.
In addition, a Sahrawi non-commissioned officer in the Moroccan army,
Hamdi ould el Belkhir, from the 42nd battalion, in Amgala, was
removed on 21.12.99 to an undisclosed destination by army
helicopter.
20.12.99
Solidarity
A number of Sahrawi solidarity retreats were held in various
Andalucian municipalities, reports the Asociacion de Amistad con el
Pueblo Saharaui de Sevilla. Attendance was high, including some 300
participants in Casariche and Marinaleda (Sevilla province). In a
number of city halls in the provinces of Almeria, Cadiz, Huelva and
Malaga, declarations of support for the Sahrawi people were read,
approved or are in the process of being approved by municipal
authorities.
21.12.99
Sahrawi government meeting
The Sahrawi government met to assess its activity over the last year
and to develop an action plan for the year 2000. The government's
major concerns are the improvement of sanitary infrastructure and
more efficient management. The program will be submitted shortly to
parliament. (SPS)
22.12.99
Cease-fire violation
On December 22 at midnight and December 23 at 1:00 a.m., Moroccan
reconnaissance aircraft flew over Sahrawi army positions in the
region of M'Heriz (unoccupied zones). These violations, according to
a press release issued by the Sahrawi Ministry of Information, add to
other violations such as the constructions aimed at strengthening
Moroccan positions along the berm. The Polisario Front is demanding
that MINURSO better control Moroccan air movements "in order to
prevent a military escalation."
24.12.99
Morocco-USA
Mr. Gabriel, US Ambassador to Rabat, stated that his country supports
the UN's plan in order to help the referendum process move forward.
In an interview published by the newspaper Al Ittihad Al Ichtiraki,
the American diplomat said that President Clinton and Madeleine
Albright communicated to the King on numerous occasions their support
for any initiative taken by the King that will contribute to a better
future for his people. Mr. Gabriel commented that the major changes
and critical decisions made by Mohammed VI since he took the throne,
to foster investment have encouraged US investors to take greater
interest in Morocco, which, in their view, will play a leadership
role.
CHARTER
A charter flight for Tindouf will leave from Alicante on January 5 and return January 10. Information: tel./fax: 963 943 389, portable 610 697 652
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