The proved involvement of elements of the Polisario who "facilitated the abduction by providing weapons, logistical support and passage through the checkpoints for the AQIM commando behind the kidnapping operation (...) reaffirms the urgency to resolve this conflict," said Edward Gabriel, former U.S. ambassador at the conference.

Ambassador E. Gabriel with Sahrawi unionists

Mr. Gabriel noted that the interest collusion between some members of the Polisario and the AQIM terrorists, Latin America drug cartels, arms traffickers and other highwaymen undermines the security and the stability of the entire region, stressing in this regard the need to solve the Sahara issue through the application of the Moroccan autonomy plan supported by the U.S. administration and the majority of the US members of Congress.

He also added that the abduction of three European aid workers in the Tindouf camps has forced the UN and other international organizations, to restrict their operations in this region because of the prevailing insecurity.

For his part, Roger Pena, a U.S. expert in defense issues and international relations, agreed in the same direction by stressing that kidnapping requires an investigation to expose the increasingly proven links between Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and Polisario elements.

" Eyewitnesses indicate complicity of elements of the Polisario in the execution of the abduction, by providing arms to the kidnappers and by leading them towards humanitarian workers," noted Mr. Pena also principal advisor to the Democratic Senator Kay Hagan.

He also noted that AQIM efforts to strengthen its ties with the Polisario "are not really a surprise," insofar as they fit in line with the tactics and procedure of al-Qaeda in North Africa, which has always used "outsourcing" to execute operations of kidnapping for the purpose of bailing out its funds.

- News on Western Sahara issue / Corcas -