Wafin.be: at the end of this cognitive task, a work will be submitted to the King before being presented to the UN?

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: the date of the submission of the project which will be submitted to the UN will be fixed by His Majesty. The procedure will be as follows: HM the King will hold consultations with political parties. He will hold consultations with CORCAS which is preparing the autonomy project. On the basis of a number of consultations, HM the King will elaborate the final project which will be submitted on the fixed date.

Wafin.be:  what is your timing for presenting your conclusions and autonomy project?

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: October 2006.

Wafin.be: too short, is not it?

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: if we work hard, we will respect this deadline.

Wafin.be: In Morocco, whenever there is a crisis, we resort to the creation of a body called independent or advisory, it was the case with Equity and Reconciliation Commission (IER), the Advisory Council for Human Affairs (CCDH), the Commission of the New Family Code (Moudawana) and so on… it has almost become a Moroccan specialty to settle crises?

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: it is not particular in Morocco. Westerners also create a number of institutions for specific problems. For example, for the European Constitution, they have made an agreement! For specific problems, there should be specific problems.

The Sahara issue is so important that HM the King has created CORCAS. In addition, it is the only Royal Council in Morocco. Our mission is not to be an entity, not an administrative body, it is advisory but not like parliament, it is not an executive council; it is a tool of HM the king. He asked us to carry out diplomatic missions, prepare autonomy project and fulfil any action relating to this.

Wafin.be: before talking about CORCAS, we would like to go back to the Western Sahara history. Briefly, there have been three major tendencies when Spanish left: two wanted to join Morocco, including your party and the General Assembly which was presided by Mr. El Joummani, then, there was the separatist party. The latter settled abroad, mainly in Algeria, this tendency was and still very present. Could you tell us more about these historic elements?

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: First, let me tell something very important: the Polisario Front was not founded by people who lived under the Spanish occupation. They are Moroccans from Sahrawi origins who studied at Mohammed V University in Rabat and who were hostile to Morocco’s political situation at that time. It was these people who founded Polisario. It is we, i.e. people who lived with the Spanish, who had their education and were trained in their universities who created the opposing movement.

That is to say that it was we who refused to establish a state by the Spanish and opted for unity of Moroccans, whether inside the PNOUS which was the modern party or at the General  Assembly “jamaa " which was composed of heads of tribes (Chioukhs). All Sahrawis who lived under the Spanish occupation opted for unity. They were our students, our brothers and our cousins who belonged to the regions of Tan-Tan, Goulmim, Assa, who belonged to the free Morocco, it was these people who founded Polisario in 1973.

Wafin.be: what were the motives behind the creation of polisario?

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: the region was marginalized at that time, they were legitimate claims then. There was no development, no roads, no electricity, no phone... It is normal that some young students wanted to protest.

Protesting at that period was fashionable. To be rebels like Che Guevara, or Hippi as was common in 70s!  Without forgetting Pan-Arabism, conflict with Algeria, and the situation inside Morocco which was not brilliant. All these elements fed Polisario. I always say that the Sahara issue is a Morocco-Moroccan problem, an internal problem.

Clearly it has taken an international dimension but it was mainly due to the context: conflict with Algeria, Libyan opposition to our monarchical system, inter-Arab conflicts, and especially the Cold War. Morocco sided with the western bloc while Algeria and Libya supported the Eastern bloc.  

All in all, all these facts have contributed to the emergence of Polisario which was a problem subsidiary to the Sahara issue! The Spanish concluded an agreement with Morocco which did not use power enter to the Sahara. It did not violate any international law’s rules.

It sought the Hague International Court, then, it negotiated with Spain. Morocco signed an agreement according to the rules of the duly ratified International Law. I had the privilege to ratify this agreement in the Security Council in November 1975. The aggravation of the Polisario problem came later bringing about other causes. It was added to the Spanish-Moroccan affair. The Spanish-Moroccan affair is neither a cause of the Sahara conflict nor of the war that we had.

Wafin.be: after almost three decades of political setbacks, wars and failing agreements, Morocco puts forward the thesis that it is a Morocco-Moroccan problem to which it was given an international dimension, we did not dare to say this before…

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: it is normal! It is true that when there was war, we were not heard. War policy was applied. However, Morocco won the war… when cease fire was implemented, there was a process supervised by the UN i.e the settlement plan. Facts showed that this plan was going to fail. It is impossible to organize a fair referendum if we do not change frontiers! the Sahara population goes beyond the Moroccan and Algerian frontiers …

Wafin.be: hence the census problem!

Khalihenna Ould Errachid:Yes, and alos the failure of the mission of Mr. James Baker and the others. It is impossible to organize a referendum in the Sahara. Absolutely impossible. It is not because Morocco is not willing, but technically and politically speaking, it is impossible to fulfil. For this reason, the UN has never finished a similar referendum. There has never been a referendum based upon identification. This is why it failed.

Wafin.be: though at the beginning it was in favour of a referendum, what pushed Morocco to change its mind?
 
Khalihenna Ould Errachid: Today, Morocco is sufficiently strong and sufficiently equipped to make a revolutionary proposal!  Morocco was not administratively, politically, diplomatically and economically ready. The Sahara positively changed Morocco.

Wafin.be: nevertheless, there was a war which cost a lot in terms of human lives and tragedies and financial costs, the war left a lot of damage?

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: not only this, it is sad to say, but there were also positive things. The Sahara contributed to the blooming of Morocco, to the redeployment of Morocco in the world and inside the country too; it contributed to the Moroccan unanimity; it contributed to the emergence of the Moroccan democratic process and of a new Moroccan society. The Sahara has not been negative for Morocco, it has been positive indeed.

Its influence on Morocco is so strong that it can inspire us and inspire His Majesty to carry out a new stage by proposing autonomy. Autonomy is a great bet, a challenge launched not only to us, but also to Africans and Arabs…

Wafin.be: in which sense?

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: in the sense that we should govern our countries in a way that satisfies our populations. This is autonomy challenge. It will deeply change our country, administratively, constitutionally, democratically, mentally, economically…

 Wafin.be:  let’s restore facts’ order: after the failure of Mr. Baker mission, there was a time of reflection by both sides; worse, weapons were about to be held again?

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: these are absurd threats!

Wafin.be: is yoyr mission to contact the other party… the Polisario?

Of course, it is our first mission! It is my main task! However, you should know that autonomy is not addressed to Polisario only. It is addressed to all Sahrawis. In addition to polisario, I address all Sahrawis…

It is the project of every Sahrawi; every Sahrawi should adopt it since it is linked to its future. Polisario cannot create an obstacle to this…

 Wafin.be: have you contacted it ?

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: of course, everyday. We invite them to negotiate. Polisario is not a democratic movement. It does not want to hold dialogue; it sticks to the past; it is very doctrinal and dogmatic, it dreads openness and contradiction. This is the reason why it expresses itself in a limited circle. However, we will push it by many means to negotiate.

Wafin.be: what is the role of Algeria in all this process?

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: everybody knows that Algeria helps Polisario. It is not a secret. So far, I have not heard anything relating to the CORCAS. I call for Algeria to respect what it says everywhere that it is not concerned about the Sahara affair.

It says that this affair concerns Sahrawis, Morocco, and the UN. We ask Algeria to help us find a beneficial solution for all parties. A solution that will help Algeria leave honourably this crisis and help the Maghreb make and end to the deadlock it witnesses at present. Algeria has to make something to save face. We do not want to humiliate Algeria. We want it to be our everlasting neighbour and ask it to help us hold dialogue with our brothers who live in its territory. As everybody knows, refugees camps are in Algeria camps… Algeria is a prerequisite step to hold dialogue with Polisario. We call for it to encourage this by to contacting the CORCAS immediately.

Wafin.be: this autonomy will be economic, administrative like the Spanish model? A sort of the federal regime?

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: first, the regime will not be federal. Second, no country has an autonomy which is base upon the model of another country. Every country has its own model of autonomy. We will make a Moroccan autonomy project inspired by successful models in the world. Since we are open to the world, it is normal that we are inspired by Spain, Italy and other successful experiences. However, we will, propose an autonomy which satisfies particular interests and specificities of the kingdom of Morocco. I can say nothing about what is being prepared, but can tell that it will be a political autonomy.

Wafin.be: a last word to the Moroccan citizens living abroad in general and particularly to those living in Belgium ?

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: our community can do a lot for the Saharan cause. It is active. We call  for it to go on defending our national cause until the last victory ».

Ould Errachid to Asharq Al Awsat: Algeria has to comply with what it says to its people, Morocco and the World 

Corcas chairman: we won’t allow somebody harm autonomy

Brussels: Abdellah Mustapha: A Moroccan delegation representing the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs created last March by a decision from the King Mohammed VI in order to prepare autonomy plan for the Southern provinces and submit a report to the King next fall on the Council’s views about autonomy as an alternative for the Sahara conflict which has lasted for 30 years. 

Asharq Al Awsat  met the Council’s chairman Khallihenna Ould and discussed with him the visit’s reasons and the main features of the project  as well as the obstacles in front of finding a solution to the conflict and Algeria’s role in this issue.

Q: why are you visiting Belgium?
KOE: we are in Brussels for two reasons: visit Belgium and visit the EU institutions. We met with different opposition and governing Belgium political parties, MPs and Senate members. We also met with officials from the European Commission and European Parliament and representatives of political groups and parties in the Parliament. Our objective is to explain autonomy content to Sahrawi entities and the reasons that led King Mohammed VI to propose autonomy as final solution which has lasted for more than three decades.

We came to explain to all these parties that autonomy is proposed because the other options did not work whether during war period which lasted for 16 years in vain and was a catastrophe to Sahrawis, the Maghreb and Africa.
We clarified to Europeans that there is another way chosen by the UN to solve the problem following ceasefire which coincided with the Soviet Union collapse in 1991. The UN started the settlement process but chose the wrong way which is referendum never experienced obviously in any other place. The UN did not manage to carry out referendum in spite of its ten year attempts. The reason is that the Sahara inhabitants do not live only in the Sahara which was occupied by Spain; they are living also in other regions such as south-eastern Algeria, north-western Mauritania and northern Mali. In order to realize such a referendum, we have first of all to define borders but this was not possible and not logical. Consequently, war failed, referendum failed and the result was deadlock.
Q: what did you exactly ask Europeans for?
A: we asked them to support the solution they had already supported to resolve a lot of problems i.e. dialogue and negotiations. This is our method to solve this issue.

But in order to convince the European side, you should present the main features of the report that you are going to submit to the King by the end of next autumn. Are you going to tell us about these main features?

Autonomy plan content is not completed yet. We are studying it since this regime is new to Morocco and the Whole Arab World. We are studying its constitutional, legal and regulatory aspects and will be ready next fall by the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs. However, we told our European friends that autonomy will be political based on the internationally recognized criteria and according to what is existing in Europe. We will take example from Europe especially closer countries which have already experienced autonomy and decentralization.
I told Europeans that this is a true autonomy since Europe knows the difference between a true and false autonomy. What Morocco is proposing is a political autonomy that will allow people handle their own affairs by themselves. I mean the political, economic and social affairs. Autonomy techniques, on the other hand, are know to Europeans since there are competencies related to the State and others related to autonomy and there are common competencies.
Accordingly, our project is serious and credible and meets international criteria and not a political or diplomatic manoeuvring. It will have effects on the Moroccan state and requires democratic, administrative and constitutional revolution to treat and deal with the new situation. This challenge makes Morocco move confidently towards setting up democratic institutions and state of law. This cannot be achieved without satisfying people and this is what the king will do.
We asked Europeans to support the UN to end this conflict which does not serve parties since it has not prevented Algerian civil war and the African division and did not help the Great Maghreb. The conflict has not served Sahrawis as well, on the contrary, it resulted in division and suffering in camps. We call on Algeria, with which we share history, present and the future, to comply with what it says to its people, to Morocco and to the world when it affirms not to be a party in the conflict and has no claims relating to the Sahara issue and when it syas that this is a Moroccan internal problem between Morocco and Polisario within the UN.
We don’t want Algeria to impede the UN efforts and countries willing to solve this problem. We ask it not to make obstacles before the Sahrawi-Sahrawi dialogue and encourage our brothers living in its territories to enter into dialogue with us so that we can leave behind this historical mess which is not serving Algerian, Arab and Muslim interests

Q: What if Polisario refused?
KOE: I don’t believe in refusal. Autonomy is not addressed to a party, entity or an organisation like Polisario which is a political military organisation similar to the ancient socialist model. It is unique party, unique thinking and unique strategy. I don’t believe in that and Polisario cannot say it is the only or unique representative. I tell Sahrawis that autonomy is our project and we will not let anyone harm it. This is dream achieving.

Q: How are you going to convince Algeria to support dialogue and negotiations?
KOE: I pray God to guide them, I must say that there has never been serious conflict between Morocco and Algeria but of course there are some divergence based on psychological problems that we want to eradicate.

Q: is Corcas mission linked to autonomy plan submission or will it continue working afterwards?
KOE: According to the Royal decision, Corcas mission lasts four years. It is the King who created the Council and it is him who decides when it ends. After reaching an agreement on autonomy we will see. Of course, things are going change if autonomy is applied.

Q: on which basis corcas members were created?
KOE: the Council started last March 25, its members are appointed by the King. It includes personalities representing all Saharan tribes enjoying good reputation. The Council gathers 141 members including 10% of women, and there are youth, sheiks, managers and it reflects Sahrawi society.

Q: If Polisario members want to join the Council will you accept them?
A: There are already “returning” members and we have nothing against Polisario members. The father of Polisario leader is a member in the Council. We open doors for our brothers not only to become members in the Council but also to enter into direct negotiations to solve  the problem and come back not as losers but winners with full dignity for autonomy is a solution without winner or looser.
Q: You met Moroccan nationals living in Brussels, are you expecting them to play a role in the conflict?
A: Moroccan nationals abroad play major part in this issue especially those living in Europe. They are militants. We came here to meet them and brief them about facts. We visited France and Spain and we will visit other countries to meet Moroccan nationals living there as well as the media so as to clarify vision for everybody. 

Corcas Chairman makes Comprehensive Assessment to Audiovisual Press on Council's Tour in Belgium
1/13/2009 

Khalihenna: We received real support and encouragement to move forward in the application of the autonomy

Corcas Chairman who paid a three-day visit to Belgium made a declaration to national audio-visual media in which he presented a comprehensive assessment of the outcome of Corcas visits to Belgium and European institutions.