CAIRO Ñ Morocco and Polisario have renewed talks on the future of the disputed Western Sahara, after a hiatus of nearly 18 months.
The United Nations has hosted talks between Morocco and the
Algerian-backed Polisario in the Austrian town of Durnstein. The talks,
which began on Aug. 10, were scheduled to last two days under the auspices
of UN envoy Christopher Ross, a former State Department official.
"All the delegations arrived and the talks between the two parties
opened," a UN spokesperson said.
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The talks came amid threats by Polisario to renew war against Morocco in
Western Sahara. In June 2009, Polisario fighters sought to capture positions
in Western Sahara, with a population of about 500,000.
Polisario has demanded a referendum for independence for Western Sahara,
a Spanish colony until 1975. In 2007, Morocco drafted a plan for autonomy
for Western Sahara, a proposal adopted by France and the United States.
The Moroccan delegation has been led by Foreign Minister Taib Fihri. The
delegation also includes Moroccan intelligence director Mohammed Mansouri.
The UN has hosted four rounds of talks between Morocco and Polisario.
The talks, which took place outside New York City, were all regarded as
failures.
Diplomatic sources said Ross's involvement could result in U.S. pressure
on Morocco. The sources said the administration of President Barack Obama
has withdrawn U.S. support for Rabat's autonomy plan.
Comments
The Moroccan foreign ministry needs to be replaced. The foreign ministry needs to be purged of people who gained appointments through bribes and nepotism. The people Morocco needs in the foreign Ministry are people who can get results.
Moroccan Patriot
2:46 a.m. / Wednesday, August 19, 2009