RASD - Communiqué 17.05.05: ANNONCE D'UNE INITIATIVE D'ATTRIBUTION DE PERMIS PETROLIERS ET GAZIERS DANS LE SAHARA OCCIDENTAL

La RASD annonce à Londres une initiative d'attribution de permis pétroliers et gaziers.17.05.05 [compte-rendu]

SADR - Press release 17.05.05: ANNOUNCEMENT OF WESTERN SAHARA OIL AND GAS LICENSING INITIATIVE

RASD - Comunicado 17.05.05: ANUNCIO DE LA INICIATIVA PARA EL OTORGAMIENTO DE LICENCIAS PARA EXPLOTACIÓN DE PETRÓLEO Y GAS EN EL SAHARA OCCIDENTAL

Statement by Emhamed Khadad

Frequently asked questions

Sahara Press Service

La RASD lance un appel d'offre international pour l'exploitation de 12 blocs pétroliers et gaziers dans le Sahara Occidental, SPS, 17.05.05
L'initiative d'attribution de permis aux sociétés pétrolières internationales est conforme à la loi internationale estime La RASD, SPS, 17.05.05

SADR launches an international invitation to tender for the exploitation of 12 Oil and Gas blocks in Western Sahara, SPS, 17.05.05
The initiative of providing Licensing to international Oil companies is in accordance with the international law estimates SADR, SPS, 17.05.05

La RASD lanza una oferta internacional para la explotación de 12 bloques de petróleo y gas en el Sáhara Occidental, SPS, 17.05.05

Arabic

Western Sahara Campaign UK

Exiled ministers announce new oil and gas licensing round in Occupied Territories of Western Sahara, Press Release Western Sahara Campaign UK, 17.05.05
La RASD offre des licences d'exploration de pétrole et de gaz au large du Sahara Occidental, communiqué WSC, 17.05.05

MEDIA

Australia's Woodside attended talks with Moroccan separatists - report, AFX News Limited/FORBES website,19.05.2005

UK PRESS: W Sahara Invites Oil Cos To Bid For 12 Licenses, Dow Jones / Yahoo Finance, 18.05.05

Polisario movement invites oil licence bidding, James Boxell, Financial Times London, 17.05.05

Gobierno RASD invita a invertir en recursos del Sahara occidental, EFE 17.05.05

Disputed Sahara state launches oil licensing, Reuters, 17.05.05

Polisario raises the Saharan stakes with licensing round play. AFRICAN ENERGY • ISSUE 87 • JUNE 2005 [p.23]

Max moves north. AFRICAN ENERGY • ISSUE 87 • JUNE 2005 [p. 22-24]

Oil Strategies in Western Sahara, Africa Energy Intelligence, No 394, 1-14 June 2005 [on demand]

17.05.05

Le gouvernement de la République Arabe Sahraouie Démocratique (RASD) annonce formellement l'ouverture d'une initiative d'attribution de permis pour permettre aux sociétés pétrolières et gazières internationales de participer à l'exploration de son territoire offshore.

La RASD est membre de l'Union Africaine (UA) et est l'autorité souveraine du territoire dénommé Sahara Occidental. Le Front POLISARIO est reconnu au plan international comme le représentant du peuple sahraoui.

L'initiative d'attribution de permis a été lancée pour préparer la pleine récupération de notre territoire, à mesure que le procédé de médiation de l'ONU avance vers une solution durable du conflit entre la RASD et le Maroc.

L'initiative d'attribution de permis, qui est ouverte à toutes les sociétés compétentes et qualifiées, a été organisée en conformité avec l'avis juridique de l'ONU sur les activités commerciales dans le Sahara Occidental.

Le gouvernement de la RASD a pris note des nouvelles concernant les activités que Kerr McGee se propose de réaliser dans son territoire offshore aux termes d'un accord qui est en infraction avec l'avis juridique de l'ONU. Le gouvernement de la RASD examinera toutes les options à sa disposition pour empêcher de telles activités illégales et provocatrices.

M. Emhamed Khadad, conseiller du Président de la RASD, constate que " le gouvernement de la RASD estime que le très grand potentiel de ses ressources jouera un rôle important dans le développement d'une nation indépendante et démocratique. Le gouvernement a toujours respecté le droit international et les actions qu'il entame sont toujours conformes aux résolutions et recommandations de l'ONU. Les sociétés internationales sont invitées à participer à cette initiative d'attribution de permis et le gouvernement de la RASD assure les investisseurs qu'il respectera pleinement toutes ses obligations".

Contact:
Kamal Fadel
Représentant du Polisario
Tel: +44 779 655 3789

Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic SADR
PRESS RELEASE
17.05.05

The Government of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), formally announces the commencement of a licensing initiative to enable international oil and gas companies to participate in the exploration of its offshore territory.

The SADR is a member of the African Union (AU) and is the sovereign authority for the territory referred to as Western Sahara. The Polisario Front is internationally recognised as the representative of the Saharawi people.

The licensing initiative has been launched in preparation for the full recovery of all of our territory, as the UN mediation process progresses towards a lasting solution to the conflict between the SADR and Morocco.

The licensing initiative is open to all competent and qualified companies and has been arranged in accordance with the UN legal opinion regarding commercial activities in Western Sahara.

The SADR government has noted reports of proposed activities by Kerr McGee in its offshore territory under an agreement that is in contravention of the intent of the UN legal opinion. The SADR government will consider all options to deter any such illegal and provocative action.

Emhamed Khadad, advisor to the SADR President, comments " The SADR Government believes that its significant resource potential will play an important part in the development of a self-reliant, democratic and progressive nation. The Government has always respected international law and operates in accordance with UN resolutions and guidelines. International companies are welcomed to participate in this licensing initiative and the SADR Government assures investors that it will fully respect all obligations".

For further information contact:

Kamal Fadel
Polisario representative
Tel: +44 779 655 3789

República Árabe Saharaui Democrática (RASD)
COMUNICADO
17.05.05

El gobierno de la República Árabe Saharaui Democrática (RASD) anuncia formalmente el inicio del proceso de otorgamiento de licencias para permitir que compañías internacionales participen en la exploración de su territorio offshore.

La RASD es miembro de la Unión Africana (UA) y es la autoridad soberana del territorio conocido como Sáhara Occidental. El Frente POLISARIO ha sido reconocido internacionalmente como el representante del pueblo Saharaui.

Esta iniciativa de otorgar licencias se lanzó en preparación hacia la recuperación total de nuestro territorio, mientras el proceso de mediación de la ONU progrese hacia una solución duradera del conflicto entre la RASD y Marruecos.

Este proceso de licencias está abierto a toda compañía competente y calificada y ha sido arreglado de acuerdo a la opinión legal de la ONU en materia de actividades comerciales en el Sáhara Occidental.

El gobierno de la RASD ha tomado nota de los informes sobre tareas propuestas por Kerr McGee en su territorio offshore bajo un acuerdo contrario a la intención de la opinión legal de la ONU. El gobierno de la RASD tomará en cuenta todas las opciones necesarias para desalentar cualquier acción ilegal y provocadora como la antedicha.

Emhamed Khadad, asesor del presidente de la RASD, comentó "El gobierno de la RASD cree que su importante potencial de recursos tendrá un papel fundamental en el desarrollo de una nación democrática y autosuficiente. El gobierno ha respetado siempre las leyes internacionales y funciona de acuerdo con las resoluciones y lineamientos de la ONU. Las compañías internacionales son bienvenidas a participar de esta iniciativa para el otorgamiento de licencias y el gobierno de la RASD les asegura a los inversores que respetará todas sus obligaciones".

Kamal Fadel
Polisario representative
Tel: +44 779 655 3789

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am very grateful to you all for joining us today. It is not often that my country " the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic " is discussed here in London. But today I have an important announcement to make about my country and its future.

My country of the Western Sahara is an occupied country, one of the last occupied countries on earth. The international community, the UN and the Security Council have repeatedly said that this occupation must end. It is an illegal occupation. Processes have been set up, envoys come and go, resolutions are written, and yet the occupation continues. That occupation has now lasted nearly 30 years. For all of that time, the Saharawi people have waited, many of them ˆ some 170,000 ˆ in desert refugee camps, out of sight, and out of mind, of the world.

With the 30th anniversary of the occupation this autumn, it is time for something to be done. The occupation and the injustice must end. The United Nations must hold to its principles, and the Security Council must enforce its decisions. I trust that the British government will support this. Only this spring, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the British Parliament called for action, saying,

"We conclude that the ongoing conflict over the Western Sahara is harmful both to Morocco‚s international relations and reputation and to efforts to enhance regional cooperation. We recommend that the government work through the EU and UN to achieve a permanent end of the conflict".

In July 2004 Robert Zoellick the United States Trade Representative, stated in reference to the recent Free Trade Agreement between the USA and Morocco that

"The (American) Administration‚s position on Western Sahara is clear: sovereignty of Western Sahara is in dispute, and the United States fully supports the United Nations efforts to resolve this issue. The United States and many other countries do not recognise Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara and have consistently urged the parties to work with the United Nations to resolve the conflict by peaceful means.
The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will cover trade and investment in the territory of Morocco as recognised internationally and will not include Western Sahara."

The SADR trusts in law and in natural justice and in the will of right-thinking and fair countries to act.

Meanwhile, we are preparing for our future and this is why you are invited here.

Today, I am formally announcing the commencement of a licensing initiative to enable international oil and gas companies to participate in the exploration of our offshore territory. This means that my government is inviting oil companies to open discussions with us to agree licenses to explore the potential for oil and gas in our waters. This potential is great.

This initiative is to prepare for the day when the SADR will enjoy sovereignty over all its rightful territory, including offshore waters; the day when at last justice will have been done. When the people of Western Sahara, and not the occupiers, will enjoy what their country has to offer.

When that day comes, and we trust it will be soon, the world will see that the SADR is a lawful, democratic and rights-respecting government that will fully respect its obligations internationally and commercially. We are undertaking this initiative in accordance with UN legal opinion regarding commercial activities in the Western Sahara.

The SADR intends to be a self-sufficient government, no longer reliant, as today it must be, on international aid for the survival of its people. But we will need investment to exploit our country‚s many natural resources. This too is why we are announcing this initiative today. We are a government which wants transparent and lawful relations with our neighbours and with international commerce. Today‚s announcement is to say "welcome" to international investors and companies who wish to work with us. Rest assured that commitments we make today will be respected tomorrow.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) has an obvious and inherent right to develop and conserve the resources of the sea off its coast. That area of the Atlantic Ocean which is to be preserved free of fishing and oil development by other States is clear: It is the area of the sea extending from north to south along the SADR coast - from our land frontier with Morocco to the frontier with Mauritania, all seaward to a distance of 200 nautical miles from this coast. Case after case in international law, together with the practice of coastal States throughout the world and the provisions of the 1982 United Nations Law of the Sea Convention make clear this right to an offshore area. The Saharan Arab Democratic Republic is committed to peaceful and shared uses of the seas - and to asserting a sovereign jurisdiction over those resources which are found within what would be our 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone."

Over seventy countries, including South Africa and the African Union, now recognise the SADR as the legitimate government of the people of the Western Sahara. The resolution to this conflict is a question not of "if", but "when". Morocco will never enjoy stability and the assurance of peace as long as the occupation continues. Therefore, as law and the world have demanded, it must end.

We in the SADR have accepted the decisions of the United Nations and the Security Council, including the Baker Plan, though this involved for us a great sacrifice. It is time for Morocco to do so too, and for the international community to persuade them to do so. We all want stability in the region. We all should want an end to this enduring dispute.

One day, the SADR will be recognised by all as the legitimate and rightful government of the Western Sahara. A peaceful, law-abiding and open government, which will at last allow the country's riches to be enjoyed fairly. This day will come, and it will come soon.

* Adviser of the President of the Republic, Saharawi Coordinator to MINURSO/UN, member of the National Secretariate of the POLISARIO Front

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