"In the prospect of the fourth round of the Manhasset talks, slated for next month, the government calls on the other parties, in particular sisterly  Algeria, to participate positively in the negotiations on the basis of the Moroccan autonomy initiative, which constitutes a realistic and fair political solution to the artificial conflict, and meets the aspirations of our peoples to build the Arab Maghreb [Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia] on solid bases," said Moroccan Prime Minister, Abbas El Fassi  at the weekly cabinet meeting.

    Morocco and the Algeria-backed separatist movement "Polisario" have so far held three rounds of talks in Manhasset (NY), in June (18-19), August (10-11) and January (7-9) in a bid to settle the Sahara dispute, which dates back to 1976 when the Polisario started claiming the independence of this  former Spanish colony. Spain ceded the territory to Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid Accords.

    The negotiations, facilitated by the U.N. Special Envoy for the Sahara  Peter Van Walsum, are also attended by delegations from Algeria and Mauritania as observers.

    The government, Mr. El Fassi said, reiterated its commitment to the stand expressed by King Mohammed VI about “Morocco’s readiness to negotiate about autonomy, the whole autonomy and nothing but autonomy,” adding that Morocco will mobilize all means to endow the Moroccan proposal with more international support.

    Morocco will defend its territorial integrity, which “should not be subject to any bidding,” said the Prime Minister during the cabinet meeting, which coincides with the 32nd anniversary of the withdrawal of the last Spanish soldier from Morocco’s southern provinces.

    Through this evacuation, he said, Morocco has achieved the decolonization of this region, which Morocco has claimed since its independence in full respect of international legitimacy.

News and events concerning Western Sahara issue / Corcas