Western Sahara - Sahara Occidental

Association of Indian Africanist

New Dehli, India

27.02.02

"UN Peace Plan in Western Sahara: Problems and Prospects"

Association of Indian Africanist organized a seminar on "UN Peace Plan in Western Sahara: Problems and Prospects" on Wednesday 27th, February, 2002 at India International Centre, New Delhi.

Leaders of various political parties, eurodite scholars from various Universities, Journalists, Diplomats, people from business houses and others attended the Seminar.

Western Sahara is the last colony in Africa. The people of Saharwi Arab Democratic Republic under its liberation movement- Polisario Front, has been fighting for its freedom and independence first from Spain and then the colonist Morocco in Africa.

The decolonisation of Western Sahara remains an objective, to be fulfilled in accordance with the international legality as well as Hence, such objective is considered as the topmost priority of the international community, notably when this comes in the ambit of a peace settlement, agreed since 1990. Besides that it has already shown on the ground its positive results, despite the difficulties made on its way.

It is noticed that only few progress has been achieved of the path of the settlement of the Western Sahara issue, despite the efforts made by the international community and repeated calls of the General Assembly.

Since February 2000 the peace process in Western Sahara has been delayed due to Moroccan maneuvers. Since then the MINURSO activities reduced to become an observer of this cease-fire.

World community should come forward to save the UN peace plan in Western Sahara. Non-Governmental organizations should raise this issue through peaceful means. Govt. of India Should reconsider its decision of withdrawing recognition to the SADR.

Press Release

Association of Indian Africanist organized a seminar on "UN Peace Plan in Western Sahara: Problems and Prospects" on Wednesday 27th, February, 2002 at India International Centre, New Delhi. Leaders of various political parties, eurodite scholars from various Universities, Journalists, Diplomats people from business houses and others attended the Seminar. Former Union Agriculture Minsiter Shri Chaturanan Mishra presided over the seminar and Shri Hari Kishor Singh, Former Minister of State for External Affairs was the Chief Guest. Some noted persons included Former Chairman of ICSSR, Prof. M.L. Sondhi, Former Mayor of Delhi, Mrs. Shakuntla Arya, Dr. John Cherian from Frontline Magazine, Dr. A.N. Roy, Dr. S.S. Bhakri, Dr. Rekha Vyas, Prof. Vijay Gupta, Dr. Dharmpal, Dr. S.N. Malakar etc More than 200 VIP‚s of Delhi attended the conference.

On this occasion a book entitled "Western Sahara-An affirmation of solidarity" was released by the Chief Guest. Welcoming the Guest Dr. Uma Shankar Jha, President of the association explained that Western Sahara is the last colony in Africa. The people of Saharwi Arab Democratic Republic under its liberation movement- Polisario Front, has been fighting for its freedom and independence first from Spain and then the colonist Morocco in Africa. According to him, even India has also not the same stand as it had earlier taken on the issues of Palestine and Western Sahara. India derecognized Western Sahara in July, 2000 and there is doubt that under the pressure of new beloved countries any time it can repeat the same mistake on the issue of Palestine. Presiding over the Seminar Former Union Agriculture Minsiter, Shri Chaturanan Mishra told that India should reconsider its stand on Western Sahara. It doesn‚t mean that we should go against Morocco. Since the issue of Western Sahara is the issue of decolonization, and the UN is already involved in the referendum, even India contributed Police personnel to it so we should give full support to the Polisario Front. India‚s Former Minsiter of State for External Affairs who was speaking as the Chief Guest on this occasion told that India has never been hesitant to support the liberation movements. Either it was ANC in South Africa or SWAPO in Namibia India give full moral support to these movements.

India in the United Nations or in the other world forum as the founder member of the NAM remained on the forefront of the decolonization of African countries. India cannot go against it. And if the present govt. of India will not take care on this issue, it will not serve its interest at International level. India cannot avoid the Afro-Arab countries. Shri Singh appealed the United Nations to organize an early referendum in Western Sahara.

Many scholars, journalists, former diplomats expressed their views in support of the Polisario Front and condemned Morocco as an occupying power. On behalf of African Diplomats the High Commissioner of Zambia expressed views. Quban Ambassador, Russian and Diplomats from Non-African countries participate an observer. At last in the resolution moved by Association of Indian Africanist it was unanimously accepted that the World community should come forward to save the UN peace plan in Western Sahara.

Non-Governmental organizations should raise this issue through peaceful means. The people of India can take lead on this issue.

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	"UN Peace Plan in Western Sahara: Problems and Prospects"
	Association of Indian Africanist organized a seminar on "UN Peace Plan in Western Sahara: Problems and Prospects" on Wednesday 27th, February, 2002 at India International Centre, New Delhi. Leaders of various political parties, eurodite scholars from various Universities, Journalists, Diplomats, people from business houses and others attended the Seminar. Western Sahara is the last colony in Africa. The people of Saharwi Arab Democratic Republic under its liberation movement- Polisario Front, has been fighting for its freedom and independence first from Spain and then the colonist Morocco in Africa. The decolonisation of Western Sahara remains an objective, to be fulfilled in accordance with the international legality as well as Hence, such objective is considered as the topmost priority of the international community, notably when this comes in the ambit of a peace settlement, agreed since 1990. Besides that it has already shown on the ground its positive results, despite the difficulties made on its way. It is noticed that only few progress has been achieved of the path of the settlement of the Western Sahara issue, despite the efforts made by the international community and repeated calls of the General Assembly. Since February 2000 the peace process in Western Sahara has been delayed due to Moroccan maneuvers. Since then the MINURSO activities reduced to become an observer of this cease-fire. World community should come forward to save the UN peace plan in Western Sahara. Non-Governmental organizations should raise this issue through peaceful means. Govt. of India Should reconsider its decision of withdrawing recognition to the SADR.
	Press Release
	Association of Indian Africanist organized a seminar on "UN Peace Plan in Western Sahara: Problems and Prospects" on Wednesday 27th, February, 2002 at India International Centre, New Delhi. Leaders of various political parties, eurodite scholars from various Universities, Journalists, Diplomats people from business houses and others attended the Seminar. Former Union Agriculture Minsiter Shri Chaturanan Mishra presided over the seminar and Shri Hari Kishor Singh, Former Minister of State for External Affairs was the Chief Guest. Some noted persons included Former Chairman of ICSSR, Prof. M.L. Sondhi, Former Mayor of Delhi, Mrs. Shakuntla Arya, Dr. John Cherian from Frontline Magazine, Dr. A.N. Roy, Dr. S.S. Bhakri, Dr. Rekha Vyas, Prof. Vijay Gupta, Dr. Dharmpal, Dr. S.N. Malakar etc More than 200 VIP‚s of Delhi attended the conference. On this occasion a book entitled "Western Sahara-An affirmation of solidarity" was released by the Chief Guest. Welcoming the Guest Dr. Uma Shankar Jha, President of the association explained that Western Sahara is the last colony in Africa. The people of Saharwi Arab Democratic Republic under its liberation movement- Polisario Front, has been fighting for its freedom and independence first from Spain and then the colonist Morocco in Africa. According to him, even India has also not the same stand as it had earlier taken on the issues of Palestine and Western Sahara. India derecognized Western Sahara in July, 2000 and there is doubt that under the pressure of new beloved countries any time it can repeat the same mistake on the issue of Palestine. Presiding over the Seminar Former Union Agriculture Minsiter, Shri Chaturanan Mishra told that India should reconsider its stand on Western Sahara. It doesn‚t mean that we should go against Morocco. Since the issue of Western Sahara is the issue of decolonization, and the UN is already involved in the referendum, even India contributed Police personnel to it so we should give full support to the Polisario Front. India‚s Former Minsiter of State for External Affairs who was speaking as the Chief Guest on this occasion told that India has never been hesitant to support the liberation movements. Either it was ANC in South Africa or SWAPO in Namibia India give full moral support to these movements. India in the United Nations or in the other world forum as the founder member of the NAM remained on the forefront of the decolonization of African countries. India cannot go against it. And if the present govt. of India will not take care on this issue, it will not serve its interest at International level. India cannot avoid the Afro-Arab countries. Shri Singh appealed the United Nations to organize an early referendum in Western Sahara. Many scholars, journalists, former diplomats expressed their views in support of the Polisario Front and condemned Morocco as an occupying power. On behalf of African Diplomats the High Commissioner of Zambia expressed views. Quban Ambassador, Russian and Diplomats from Non-African countries participate an observer. At last in the resolution moved by Association of Indian Africanist it was unanimously accepted that the World community should come forward to save the UN peace plan in Western Sahara. Non-Governmental organizations should raise this issue through peaceful means. The people of India can take lead on this issue.