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Morocco and the Algerian-supported Polisario agreed to implement a
United Nations Security Council resolution to hold talks in search of a
solution to Western Sahara. In an attempt to end their 16-year war, Rabat
has offered autonomy, but Polisario demands a referendum for independence.
"We are ready to engage now, but for something credible," Polisario
representative Ahmed Boukhari said after the Security Council vote on April
30. "Morocco wanted to force the hand of the Security Council to endorse
only their plan which says Western Sahara belongs to Morocco without a
referendum."
The council also renewed the mandate of the 225-member UN mission in
Western Sahara. The mandate, which expired on April 30, would continue for
another six months.
Despite the agreement, both sides said they would stick to their
positions. In April, Morocco presented an autonomy plan that would maintain
Rabat's sovereignty over Western Sahara.
"There will be appropriate answers to the question of
self-determination," Morocco's envoy to the UN, El Mostafa Sahel, said.
Morocco has been lobbying the U.S. Congress to support the kingdom's
autonomy plan. On April 26, 180 House members, citing national security,
urged President George Bush to support the autonomy plan.
"With Al Qaida and other terrorist groups expanding their presence into
North Africa, we are concerned that the failure to resolve this conflict of
more than 30 years poses a danger to U.S. and regional security," the House
letter said.
Another 45 House members signed a letter that supported Polisario's
demands. The administration and Congress agree that the resolution of the
Polisario conflict would enable counter-insurgency cooperation with North
Africa.
"The threat of terrorism in Morocco, in North Africa will be there for
other reasons," Boukhari said. "It is not linked to Western Sahara."
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