We think that the Moroccan proposal to grant true autonomy to the Sahara provides a serious and credible option, and we hope that Polisario will engage in discussions on this proposal as a realistic starting point likely to lead to a solution to this conflict, said, on Thursday, deputy spokesman for the U.S. Department of State, Tom Casey.

    Regarding the third round of negotiations, held recently in Manhasset (outskirts of New York) under the auspices of the United Nations, Mr. Casey hailed the decision to hold a fourth round (March 11-13) in the same venue, noting that Washington hoped that the two parties would make use of this round to substantially discuss key issues.

    Recalling that the Security Council had unanimously adopted two resolutions (1754 and 1783) calling for negotiations without preconditions with a view to reaching a solution to this conflict, the Department of State notes that the two parties held long discussions without managing to settle any key issue.

    Morocco and Polisario have thus far held three rounds of negotiations on June 18-19, August 10-11 and January 7-9 in Manhasset. They have agreed to hold a fourth round in the same location on March 11-13.

    The United Nations called for these negotiations with the aim of settling the 32-year conflict over Morocco’s Southern Provinces, the Sahara, retrieved by the north African country in 1975 under the Madrid Accord. A year later, the Polisario, fully backed by Morocco’s eastern neighbor, Algeria, started laying claims to the territory and seeking its independence.

    Morocco has proposed substantial autonomy to the region to put an end to the dispute. The initiative was praised as “serious” and “credible” by the most influential capitals.

Source : MAP
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