United Nations
Security Council

S/RES/1429 (2002)

Distr.: General

30 July 2002

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The Security Council,

Recalling all its previous resolutions on Western Sahara, in particular resolution 1359 (2001) of 29 June 2001 and resolution 1394 (2002) of 27 February 2002,

Stressing that in view of lack of progress in the settlement of the dispute over Western Sahara the search for a political solution is critically needed,

Concerned that this lack of progress continues to cause suffering to the people of Western Sahara, remains a source of potential instability in the region and obstructs the economic development of the Maghreb region,

Reaffirming its commitment to assist the parties to achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, which would be of benefit to the Maghreb region,

Seeking to alleviate the consequences of conflict in Western Sahara, and accordingly to secure the immediate release of prisoners of war and other detainees, to establish the fate of persons unaccounted for, and to repatriate refugees,

Determined to secure a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara in the context of arrangements consistent with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations,

Expressing continuing full support for the role and work of the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy,

Commending the parties for their continuing commitment to the ceasefire and welcoming the essential contribution which the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) is making in that regard,

Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of 19 February 2002 (S/2002/178) and the four options contained therein,

Underlining also the validity of the Settlement Plan, while noting the fundamental differences between the parties in implementing the Plan,

Noting also the fundamental differences with regard to the four options contained in the report of the Secretary-General of 19 February 2002,

1. Continues to support strongly the efforts of the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy to find a political solution to this long-standing dispute, invites the Personal Envoy to pursue these efforts taking into account the concerns expressed by the parties and expresses its readiness to consider any approach which provides for self-determination that may be proposed by the Secretary-General and the Personal Envoy, consulting, as appropriate, others with relevant experience;

2. Calls upon all the parties and the States of the region to cooperate fully with the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy;

3. Calls upon the parties to collaborate with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the implementation of confidence-building measures, and urges the international community to provide generous support to UNHCR and the World Food Programme in order to help them overcome the deteriorating food situation among the refugees;

4. Calls upon Morocco and the Polisario Front to continue to cooperate with the efforts of the International Committee of the Red Cross to resolve the problem of the fate of all those unaccounted for since the beginning of the conflict;

5. Welcomes the release of 101 Moroccan prisoners of war, and calls upon the Polisario Front to release without further delay all remaining prisoners of war in compliance with international humanitarian law;

6. Decides to extend the mandate of MINURSO until 31 January 2003;

7. Requests the Secretary-General to provide a report on the situation before the end of the present mandate that contains any further proposal from the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy together with recommendations pertaining to the most appropriate configuration of MINURSO;

8. Decides to remain seized of the matter.

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