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Ould Errachid to Canarias 7 “Polisario weakness threatens All Africa”
2/8/2008

Khalihenna: Polisario's weakness threat to Africa

The President of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs, Mr. Khalihenna Ould Errachid complained that the weakness of "Polisario" constitutes a threat to the security and stability of Africa as a whole, in an interview published on Sunday, June 11, 2006 by (Canarias7).

"The region is a fertile space for groups hostile to peace, democracy that target security. (Polisario) has weapons not controlled by the international community and, therefore, this situation may pose a threat to Africa as a whole, and that is why we have to reach an agreement to end this conflict. "

Mr. Ould Errachid, who paid recently a three-day visit to the Canary Islands said that the archipelago "will be the first beneficiary of stability" in the region, not only because autonomy in the Sahara guarantees peace, but also because the Canary Islands will be a priority trading partner.

He considered that the end of the Sahara conflict, with the establishment of autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty, will also help reduce the problem illegal immigration and open trade opportunities for maritime fishing oil and tourism.

Having confirmed that there is no other solution, and that the United Nations so clearly recognized in the recent report of UN Secretary General, Mr. Ould Errachid said to journalist José Mojica that autonomy as proposed by Morocco "does not fool anyone," as it "is not a negative proposal ".

In response to a question about whether " Polisario leader " will accept this offer, he said that Abdelaziz’s father, who is a member of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs, " tells him every day, that his son will accept" autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty.

Mr. Ould Errachid added that "The United Nations is informed on the current situation in the Sahara, and realizes that there is no other solution, and the European Union recognized the sovereignty of Morocco by signing the fishing Agreement”. Mr. Ould Errachid emphasized that the only solution to the Sahara conflict is autonomy.

Full text of the interview

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Canarias 7: autonomy in the Sahara region, and the State manages foreign affairs, defense, currency and strategic sectors (energy, postal services, telecommunications...), but it will be something new so that it will be a revolution in all parts of Morocco. And the model that we will follow is the Spanish model, the Canary Islands is a good model. "

Canarias 7: To what do you transmit through this revolutionary change?

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: to advance democracy and all the Arab Islamic States

Canarias 7: But to what extent would decentralization reach ?

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: It will be much larger than it is the situation until now. There will be a genuine self-government

Canarias 7: When it will become a reality?

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: It will be disclosed between September and October of this year, in conjunction with the UN Security Council and the end of MINURSO mission.

Canarias 7: What if Polisario says no?

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: I hope that our Sahrawi brothers will come to negotiations for a graceful exit.

Canarias 7: But you are going to negotiations with a precondition

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: Which precondition?

Canarias 7: autonomy, not self-determination

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: because there is no other political solution. The United Nations itself said it in its last report. And self-government does not fool anyone.

Canarias 7: not even Polisario?

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: not even Polisario. I do not think its answer will be negative. In order to reach peace, we are ready to grant our brother Abdelaziz the chairmanship of autonomy as a sign of reconciliation.

Canarias 7: Abdelaziz will not accept Moroccan sovereignty

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: his father, who is Corcas member tells me every day that his son will agree, and I have to trust his father.

Canarias 7: What about self-determination?

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: self-determination is ruled out. What is closer to international legitimacy is autonomy (such as Northern Ireland), especially if we are to close a period of thirty years of distinction between Saharans. If Polisario rejects autonomy, its end will be certain and its degree of irresponsibility serious. I invite them to win.

Canarias 7: And referendum?

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: consultation of this kind is impossible. Saharan people live in Algeria, Mauritania, Morocco and Mali. borders should change, and Abdelaziz knows this fact because he is Moroccan who decided one day to become a revolutionary. Youth of the sixties do two things: migrate towards the islands where Hippies live, or copy Che Guevara. Abdelaziz chose the second life. It was fashion at that time ...

Canarias 7: What is the land that would be subject to self-government? First documents extend borders to Tan Tan or Guelmim, the two were not Spanish colonies.

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: There is no final decision in this regard, which is under negotiation. We will take decision before the summer, and I hope that Abdelaziz will submit proposals to sign the resolution.

Canarias 7: Where it will be signed?

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: in any place whatsoever. The place is secondary.

Canarias 7: in Tindouf as well?

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: Yes, but before that I will ask them to provide guarantees for the respect of human rights and transparency, I will ask Polisario to give us the keys to stores of food aid for the program of international support, and allow population of the camps to distribute that aid themselves. I did not call for a revolution in Tindouf

Canarias 7: Is this a threat?

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: not a threat, it is a possibility. The world is changing, and I can not answer on the results of the works of stubborn people who do not want democracy, and continue in their dogmatism. Abdel Aziz spent 30 years in power without a referendum, no ballot box. When he was appointed as Chairman, Gerald Fullard, Mao and Brezhnev were still alive. We have many diplomatic means, but I repeat that the Tindouf population is bored.

Canarias 7: How you can you pass let down Algeria’s position in the provision of institutional support for Polisario?

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: Algeria will win if the conflict ends and Saharawi brothers reunite. No one questions the role of Algeria. Today, the Polisario Front is a group of military politicians, (not terrorist) in weak situation. They have failed to achieve all the objectives of liberation at the expense of the suffering of the Saharawi people. It has returned to the application of the curfew that has not been adopted since 1998. Population in the camps is scared once more.

Canarias 7: How many people live in the Tindouf?

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: less than 50 thousand. Technically and humanly, it is impossible to provide 90 thousand with water daily.

Canarias 7: How does Corcas or Morocco intends to convince the United Nations which still maintains colonialism file?

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: The United Nations knows the current situation in the Sahara and is aware that there are no other exits. European Union recognized the sovereignty of Morocco and signed again on the maritime fishing agreement.

Canarias 7: What about the States that recognize Polisario? They are 80 countries so far

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: This is not true

Canarias 7: Relations between Morocco and Spain are good now regarding common issues such as combating illegal immigration and terrorism. To what extent can the Western Sahara be a threat to international security?

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: The area is a hotbed for groups aggressive and hostile to peace, democracy and security. Polisario has a weapon, not subject to control, which threatens international community. It could become a threat to the Africa, and this compels us to sign an agreement to put an end to the conflict.

Canarias 7: What is the most closest area to conflict?
Khalihenna Ould Errachid: the link between Mali Algeria and Mauritania, the closest military base of Polisario operations. During the last thirty years, Polisario kept weapons hidden under the sand Sam 7 missiles, and more than that, some do not know the caches.

Canarias 7: But you say that Polisario Front is not terrorist?

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: I still insist on it, but international terrorists know Polisario is weak, and we must be vigilant.

Canarias 7: To what extent this also contributes to the risk of instability in the international conflict over oil resources?

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: This side is also in the debate on the future of the region. If you do not solve the urgent problem of the Sahara, it will turn into a hotbed of turmoil. If not avoided, we fear the situation will be worse than Afghanistan.

Canarias 7: What is the role of the Canary Islands at the intersection of these conflicts and strategic interests?

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: It will be first beneficiary of stability, not only because self-government gives guarantees of peace, but it will be a preferred trading partner. Ending the conflict will stop illegal immigration, businesses prospects will open for fishing, oil exploration and tourism.

Canarias 7: What would be the limits of autonomy in the Sahara? Would it be so linked with Rabat?

Khalihenna Ould Errachid: It will distinguish the Sahara. Moroccan State will keep foreign affairs, defense, currency and strategic sectors (energy, postal services, telecommunications ...), but it will be something new, to the extent that there will be a revolution in all parts of Morocco. The model to follow would be Spain, the Canary Islands is a good model. "

* Spanish Identity

His life is not a book, originally issued in books. A controversial personality, resourceful, genuine diplomat, memory loaded with secrets. He was a key figure in Spain’s departure from the Sahara. He was the leader of the Spanish project to curb the rush of Saharans. Before the Green March, he swore to be loyal to Hassan II who rewarded him by the Ministry of Saharan Affairs for 17 years. Since the end of the seventies, he became president of the municipal council of Laayoune. He has Spanish citizenship. He studied engineering in Madrid. His talent to attract the admiration of people enabled him to meet Franco’s environment. He got married with a rich woman from Sevilla, and shortly thereafter, the regime helped him to preside the Sahrawi National Unity Party

Canarias 7 - 11/06/2006

* "Avoid war"

In March he was appointed Corcas Chairman. Born in 1951 in Laayoune and enjoys Spanish citizenship. "Spain offered him be President of the Sahara Republic, but it was not possible, because I always believed in the great brotherhood between Spain and Morocco. I avoided war, and I want the same fate for the Sahara, and at this level, I do not care if my role in this section of history is recognized or not. "

However, Ould Errachid faces criticism on Spanish role in supporting self-government plans.
Less than two weeks ago, Spanish PM José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero suggested to Morocco and Polisario to open dialogue to reach an agreement. Corcas chairman remembers Spain’s role in the process of visa extension as a "disgrace for Moroccans, as they continue for one week"