Morocco proved good will during the recent negotiations on the Sahara dispute with Algerian-backed separatist movement "Polisario" in Manhasset (outskirts of New York), unlike the "negative, fixed, and sterile attitude of the other party," minister of Communication and Government spokesperson, Khalid Naciri, said on Thursday.
Speaking at the press briefing, following the weekly Cabinet meeting, the minister noted that this round has raised real questions concerning the double discourse of the Polisario delegation, adding that Morocco "firmly and definitely rejects all attempts to alter the security situation east of the defense wall" that Morocco built in the 80s all along its borders with Algeria to prevent any attacks by the separatists.
Morocco and the Polisario have so far held three rounds of UN-sponsored talks to discuss the future of the Sahara. A fourth round is scheduled for March 11-13 also in Manhasset.
Answering questions regarding the outcome of these negotiations, Mr. Naciri underlined that Morocco is serene and satisfied, because it is in tune with the orientations of the United Nations that called the different parties to prove openness and good will.
"The Polisario claims that it respects the UN recommendations, but at the same time, it cannot prove that, and keeps on throwing out war threats," he added.
“We are dealing with negotiators who don’t believe in the necessity to reach a solution to this issue, and keep repeating a 30-old and obsolete mantra by threatening to go back to war.” Mr. Naciri said.
Morocco has proposed to grant substantial autonomy to its Southern Provinces, The Sahara, in a bid to solve a 32-year old dispute over the control of the former Spanish colony. The Polisario, a separatist group backed and harbored by Algeria, claims the independence of this former Spanish colony that was ceded to Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid Accord signed between Spain, Mauritania and Morocco.
Addressing the march that the Moroccan Sahara Association (ASM) intends to organize to Tifarity, in reaction to the Polisario’s recent “congress” in this area, the Moroccan minister deemed that Morocco guarantees free speech and circulation throughout its territory. He made it clear that the Polisario violated the Moroccan sovereignty by holding its so called congress in this location that is considered as a buffer zone and from which Morocco withdrew its troops following the UN-brokered ceasefire of 1991 to prevent any clashes with the separatists or even with the Algerian army.
Source: MAP
News and events on western Sahara issue