Mr. Khalihenna Ould Errachid, chief of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs said in an interview with French newspaper (L’Alsace), the United Nations concluded through the report of the Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the Sahara that the "Baker Plan is not workable" and that "it is not possible to hold the referendum".
Mr. Khalihenna Ould Errachid said that "the current impasse being unacceptable in human terms, leads us in the direction of a solution that can only be self-government" under Moroccan sovereignty.
He noted in this connection that "the Sahara issue is within the great determination of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to make a profound change in the Kingdom thanks to the reforms undertaken by the King at the social and economic levels" and " this huge emerging system which is decentralization. "
He considered that 2006 will be suitable year to find a compromise.
He also said that (Polisario), "is a dogmatic movement with unique thought, and with unique system and direction for 30 years", adding it would take more time to become pragmatic and accept the reality.
"We believe that we can help them through discussion (...) we want to convince Polisario members that they have not been defeated, and their willingness for a long time to be a part of Morocco has been achieved".
On the other hand, Mr. Ould Errachid called on Algeria, "not to obstruct the United Nations and Sahrawis, and help us, we, Sahrawis, listen to us, to find a political solution to this internal conflict, Morocco." "Algeria is a brotherly country, close to Morocco. We should turn the page and activate the building the Maghreb."
What do you think of the Security Council resolution that satisfies all parties?
Apparently, the resolution satisfies everyone because it calls on the parties to find a political and consensual solution. This is the only way. The UN, through Kofi Annan’s report, based on the recommendations of his Special Envoy Peter Van Walsum, concluded that the Baker plan was unworkable, that the referendum was not possible. The current deadlock is unacceptable to the human level, we want to go towards a political solution which can only be autonomy. The United Nations cannot say it clearly so as not to be accused of siding with one party or another, but it goes without saying that it looks for this autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty.
Although resolution reading is different, expressed satisfaction is already a good sign.
Did Morocco change direction, approach to this Sahara crisis?
Yes. By restoring life to Corcas, the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs, King Mohammed VI sought to change policy and turn the page on misunderstandings with the Saharans. The new policy is based on reconciliation and the willingness to believe what Algeria says, namely that it is not involved but simply houses refugees on its soil.
I am hopeful that President Bouteflika is in good faith, and when the conditions are met-it is first necessary to calm things down and tensions-I will ask to see him. I thank Algeria for what it has done for our brothers, I pray not to block the United Nations and Western Saharans and on the contrary, help us, we Sahrawis, we hear, to find a solution to this conflict, which is an internal conflict in Morocco, even if it has international implications.
It is in this sense, because all Saharans are brothers, cousins, I told Polisario president, Mohamed Abdelaziz, that I can accept him the president of the future autonomous region; of course, after paying allegiance to Mohammed VI.
Algeria is an important brotherly country. It is the closest and most complementary of Morocco. We must turn the page and start construction of the Maghreb.
Psychology
Do you have any contacts with Polisario? What is the refugees situation in Tindouf?
Relations have never completely ended, we communicate, including by phone.
Created in early seventies by young scholars in Casablanca, Polisario is a dogmatic movement with single thinking and management system for 30 years. To get to pragmatism and accept reality, it takes time. We think we can help it through talks. All of this is taking place, we want to convince Polisario members they did not suffer failure, that their yesterday’s willingness to be part of a useful Morocco is taking place. We must forget the past and start afresh.
What do local people say? For now, your action is mainly psychological?
Yes, our action today is more psychological than political. Mohammed VI has instructed me to a mission of reconciliation, a very noble mission based on forgetting the past, on the vision of the new Morocco he is striving to build. I need to share this royal will to prepare people's minds to an agreement.
We will also submit to the king a draft autonomy that will be based on the successful experiences of Western countries, such as France, Spain, Great Britain, Germany or Italy.
The Sahara is part of the grand design of Mohammed VI to revolutionize the management of the kingdom with his social and economic reforms. With this huge innovation that will be decentralization.
Local people are very glad to finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. They are tired of this conflict that has lasted too long. They see that the king is resolving their problems, recognizing their problems and rights.
Peace is it for soon?
Since the setting up of Corcas, we are seeing an improvement in the situation psychologically. In the camps, people hear us, see television programs, and are satisfied with our language. I am optimistic, not naive, and I think that 2006 will be a good year to address the consensual solution.
We rely on the people in the Tindouf camps to change things. Polisario is a politico-military organisation, which derives its power from its military units. It has money, distributes water, food…. We hope that people are no longer willing to be manipulated.
Anyone can make mistakes, everyone made mistakes. We must be reconciled.
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