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The Honourable Hillary Rodham Clinton
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
WASHINGTON DC 20500,
USA
Fax: 00 1 202 456 2461
Date:.................
Dear Mrs Clinton,
Morocco and Western Sahara
It is with deep concern that I learn of
your imminent trip to the Kingdom of Morocco.
You are, of course, aware that Morocco invaded Western
Sahara in 1975, forcing tens of thousands of the inhabitants
of the territory to flee their homes and seek refuge in
neighbouring Algeria.
Thousands more Saharawis suffer arbitrary arrest, torture
and extra-judicial killing at the hands of over 100,000
Moroccan troops now occupying Western Sahara. The U.S. State
Department, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch,
and other bodies, have widely reported on these crimes.
Today over 500 Saharawis remain unaccounted for.
Eight years ago Morocco agreed to a United Nations brokered
settlement plan, designed to bring about a just and lasting
solution to the conflict which involved the Moroccan army
and the POLISARIO Front.
The settlement plan calls, inter alia, for a free, fair and
transparent referendum for the people of Western Sahara.
Unfortunately what was regarded to be a six month referendum
process has now gone into its eighth year and it will go on
and on unless Moroco is told enough is enough, the time has
come for a just and durable solution in Western Sahara.
Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary General has, on many occasions,
highlighted the Moroccan violations of the settlement plan
and underlined the lack of co-operation of Morocco with the
UN.
As I write this letter to you, the peace process in Western
Sahara is about to collapse, once again, because Morocco has
failed to accept the latest UN proposals, presented to the
parties by Kofi Annan last November.
I do believe, Madam, that your visit could be a great
opportunity to raise these matters with the Moroccan highest
authorities and to urge them to put an end to their colonial
and anachronistic occupation of Western Sahara. Otherwise,
this visit may be seen by many as an encouragement to
Morocco to continue its wrongdoings, and as a green light
for more human rights abuses, more atrocities, and more
rebellion by Morocco against the UN Security Council
resolutions.
With highest
considerations,
Yours sincerely,
.....................................
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