Resolution
of the European Parliament
adopted on January 14 1999
The European Parliament,
- having regard to its previous resolutions and recommendation on
the situation in the Western Sahara,
- having regard to the report by the Secretary-GeneraL of the
United Nations of 11 December 1998
(S/1998/1160) and the observations and
recommandations contained therein,
- having regard to the UN Security Council Resolutions
1204
(1998) of 30 October 1998 and
1215
(1998) of 17 December 1998,
A. noting that substantial progress has been made over
recent months in the referendum process for the Western Sahara and
that all parties involved in this process have publicly declared
there willingness to further accelerate this process,
B. concerned that, as time passes, the prospects of a
referedum beeing held are becoming increaisingly remote,
C. noting that all necessary measeures for the repatriation
of Saharan refugees eligible to vote have to be taken as soon as
posible, and that the UNHCR has presented to all parties involved a
protocol to this end,
D. emphazising the need for the European Union to give its
fullest possible support to the UN Secretary-General in his efforts
to bring about the referendum process in the Western Sahara as soon
as possible,
E. whereas the European Union should further encourage the
mediating role of the United Nations in particular of its
Secretary-General, and should continue its humanitarian support in
the areas,
- Welcomes the progress achieved by the UN Secretary-General on
the Referendum Process in the Western Sahara and calls on the
parties to maintain and strengthen the political will they showed
during the negociations;
- Urges the Government of Morocco to accept within the delays
fixed by the United Nations the proposals made by the UN
Secretary-General in order to move forward with the implementation
of the settlement plan;
- Calls on the Government of Morocco and the Polisario Front to
cooperate fully with the United Nations in the holding without
further delay of a free, fair and impartial referendum for the
self-determination of the people of the Western Sahara;
- Calls upon the parties and the interested States to sign as
soon as possible the proposed refugee repatriation protocol with
the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees,
urges the Government of Morocco to formalize the presence of the
UNHCR in the Territory, and requests both parties to take concrete
action to enable the UNHCR to carry out the necessary preparatory
work;
- Calls on the Commission and the Council to give their fullest
possible support to the further preparatory work for the
Referendum Process in the Western Sahara;
- Calls on the Commission to step up its humanitarian aid for
the Sahrawi people in accordance with the demands of the NGOs,
notably in the fields of food and health;
- Asks that a delegation of observers be sent to monitor the
referendum in the Western Sahara;
- Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the
Commission, the Council, the UN Secretary-General, the OAU and the
Governement of Morocco and the Polisario Front.
[Communiques,
letters, documents] [Western Sahara
Homepage]