Having visited the Tindouf camps in 2005, Garcia told Morocco's second channel "2M" that Tindouf camps' population is estimated between "40,000 and 50,000 people, not more," adding that he is "strongly" in favour of the Moroccan Sahara autonomy plan.

    Garcia recalled that Tarfaya was attached to the Spanish protectorate in 1912, Sakiat El Hamra in 1934 and it was until 1958 that the Sahara became a Spanish province with representatives in the Cortes (Spanish Parliament).

    The Spanish historian said that it is this "provincialization" which played a role in the emergence of the separatist movement of Polisario.

    The Polisario "was the movement that was trying to tell the Sahrawis that you have your own characteristics, you are not like the people in the north (of Morocco), they have created an isolated identity for the Sahrawis to manipulate them," he added.

Source: MAP
News and events concerning Western Sahara issue/ Corcas