Slow negotiations
 
First.. Manhasset negotiations at their first and second stages are so slow creating an air of pessimism around the third round which will be held at the same place…
 
No… I do not agree. During the tow rounds negotiations progress at adequate speed and according to the rules to find good faith. They were not bad as people form outside may think… presence , participation and willingness to go on with theses negotiations are a good sign. Also, urgency to reach an agreement after two rounds only is not accepted in diplomatic rules.
 
What are your limits?
The kingdom of Morocco negotiates autonomy under Moroccan territorial sovereignty.
 
Some people said that it may become larger autonomy
 
Not true. These are some journalistic comments not in line with international law.
 
Are not you scared that autonomy for Sahrawis would bring about protests by some Moroccan regions such as Amazigh for example?
We are not worried about this side. Morocco which has survived for 14 centuries marked by crises, civil wars, tribal conflicts and foreign interference will not be affected by autonomy as the Moroccan entity is solid.
 
 
unionists Fear 
 
Why does Polisario reject you personally among the Moroccan delegation?
 
- this is their own matter. Those who refuse my presence represent only 20% of Sahrawis. They do not want anyone of Sahrawi origin because he will make their mission more difficult. Polisario refuses to talk to the ones who do not agree with their views especially Sahrawis who do not adopt their approaches. It is a Leninist movement. 
 
 
Criticism concerns corcas as well as a council which does not represent Sahrawis since its members are appointed?
 
The Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs (corcas) is not an a representative organisation in which case the King could have decided to be elected. It is an appointed  royal council  representing the Sahrawi society according to traditions and founded on basic criteria and measures in the sense that it includes tribal elites representing their tribes. It is not autonomy as well. In Iraq , the Americans resorted to customs in order to communicate with Iraqi tribes. In the Golf and other Arab regions, customs are always stronger that elections.
 
Repentance and hand kissing

You asked Polisario leader Mohammed Abdelaziz to repent, kiss the King’s hand and go home. You said that he has the opportunity to become president of the autonomy, don’t you think that you are asking too much? 
 
First, repentance is a religious obligation “the best of those who make mistakes are those who repent” it is good to acknowledge one’s mistakes. Mohammed Abdelaziz is  Moroccan. His father is a corcas member. When I said that I was not wrong religiously and historically. Mohammed Abdelaziz opted for this choice because of historical reasons. This is not new to Morocco which witnessed opposition to the royal regime. I still say the same relating to hand kissing since they reflect allegiance and loyal rituals in the Kingdom. 
 
Suppose that Polisario accepted autonomy under pressure would Morocco accept their return to motherland
 
Why not. Polisario major military leader, Habib Ayoub, is now living in Morocco . Former Polisario foreign minister, Ibrahim Hakim, is an ambassador in Morocco and Omar Hadrami, Chief of Polisario security forces has been appointed governor in Morocco . Reconciliation makes us forget the past. We all belong to the same family and doors are open to all brothers in Polisario. 
 
No marginalisation for unionists
 
Some people who came back from Polisario and who became later unionists feel they are marginilized, which is not in favour of the current dialogue with Polisario?
 
 
This is not true. Leaders who came back and who were bear great responsibilities in the Kingdom as they are considered as its sons. They are not asked about their past deeds. Some of them have political and leadership positions. Of course, managing a state is quite different from managing an organisation. 
 
 
Acknowledging mistakes
 
Security approach in Sahrawi cities generates tension in the relationship and makes acceptance of autonomy by people out of reach?
 
No doubt, there were mistakes in the past. Morocco is among few countries in addition to South Africa which have acknowledged these mistakes including kidnapping,   injustice and arbitrariness and killings. A neutral committee was set up and carried out reconciliation based on the Islamic religion and international law. People were compensated materially and psychologically. This is self-criticism. After the constitution of the Royal Advisory Council, freedom of speech, writing and thought and only violence remains unacceptable. No member in the United Nations agrees that violent groups emerge within its territory, damaging their public and private interests. Those who respect these standards lead happy life including those who peacefully defend Polisario thesis in the South.  They use Moroccan passport and move between Laayoune Smara and Dakhla and across the world. They criticize Morocco, but they return to it. We believe that this is freedom of expression, but if they use physical violence, there is a law that is applied to them. 

Do you detain Polisario political prisoners?

Morocco has no Polisario prisoners. A ceasefire was achieved in 1991 under the auspices of the United Nations. The front delayed the release of Moroccan prisoners for a long time; they practised moral and physical torture against them which is not Saharan habits. However, under the United Nations threats, they released everyone two years ago. Now we have no political prisoners and those who are in jail have committed acts prohibited by the law, not for political reasons.

How do you explain clashes that happened in Moroccan universities?
- Anyone who demonstrated peacefully was not touched, but the ones who used firebombs damaged cars, public or private property, be they Sahrawis or from Casablanca, Fez or foreigners in Morocco, the law punishes these acts.  

Polisario maturity
You said after the second round of negotiations that Polisario needs time to take mature decision.. What do you mean?

- It is worth mentioning that Polisario is inherited from the remnants of the cold war. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, all communist or similar parties collapsed and Polisario remains the only organization that still have unique decision unique thinking and unique party. The proof is that Mohamed Abdel-Aziz has been secretary-general since his appointment in 1976 to date, this is show what this organization is like .. it is loyal to its ally as it exists on Algerian soil, Algeria finances hosts, defends and orients it. It is an Algeria city in every aspect.

Algerian position

Do you mean that Polisario does not negotiate independently
- not yet, We hope it will independent from Algeria 

But you expect through these negotiations that support comes from Algeria?

- Undoubtedly because there are strong ties between Morocco and brotherly Algeria which makes us hope that Algeria will become mature and waive the sterile conflicts that lead nowhere. This conflict has not spared Algeria from civil war and terrorism did not contribute to its development. It was a waste of efforts and potentialities and a gate to foreign intervention in the affairs of our country.

Do you believe that your presence on movable sand is a reason of not touching the real problem so far in the negotiations?

- Could be on movable sand, but for us in Morocco it is on solid ground.

* Referendum is not possible

How do you see referendum future in the Sahara?
- It is not possible, the United Nations resorted to this method claimed by Polisario and Algeria but overlooked the difficulty to implement it and chose a pattern that did not exist before which is self-determination through referendum based on identification and failed because of the existing borders. Sahrawi society is divided between four neighbouring states that the French and Spanish had marked their borders arbitrarily and not subject to any rational standard .. Sahrawis in Morocco represent the majority but live in Algeria from Bashar to the Mauritanian border via Tindouf, in northwest Mauritania and all its cities, and in the norther Mali. I mean the current tribes: Rguibat, takna, Oulad Dlim, Ahl Barak Allah, Sheikh Maouleinai, Sebaa and so on. They were devided by colonization. A referendum to determine identity is not practical unless we change borders and create a new geography, then the referendum is inapplicable technically and politically.

Is Polisario considering self-governance?

- We are facing a Polisario delegation which does not accept language of compromise. Negotiations mean to make concessions in order to reach a compromise. We hope that with time Polisario will get mature to reach this point. 

Why do you differentiate between Polisario leadership and Polisario front?

- the Front is all the ones living in Tindouf camps; the leadership is a group of people coordinating with Algeria. According to my personal experience and that of my cousins in the region, the goal of those impeding Moroccan unity is not to solve the problem, but to leave status quo.

* Khat Achahid
Did you contact Khat Achahid movement after secession from Polisario?
- We have relations with all our brothers in camps, not Khat Achahid only.

Some people believe it was created by Morocco?
 
- This is a lie, not true.

To what extent are you optimist about the third round of negotiations in Manhasset?
- We will be meeting at our second session this year December 18-19 in the city of Smara, coinciding with Polisario congress. We will be close to them. We will be discussing autonomy as final solution to achieve reconciliation and dignified return. We hope that Polisario will be mature enough to achieve reconciliation through negotiations and reach the best agreement that satisfies all parties.

Are not afraid from a return to war?

-We hope not go to war, but war does not bring up a solution but disaster. We experienced war for 16 years and Polisario too experienced war by sophisticated tanks, missiles and soldiers’ buses and all weapons. The result was catastrophic on them and on us and on all the people.

News and events concerning western Sahara issue / Corcas