91997E3646

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3646/97 by Angela Sierra González (GUE/NGL) and Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (19 November 1997)

Subject: Referendum on independence in the Sahara

In September 1997, an agreement was reached in Houston between Morocco and the Polisario Front to hold a referendum to decide on the sovereignty of the Sahara.

Hitherto, Morocco has blocked the holding of this consultation of the Saharan citizens of the area, but the date proposed by Morocco appears to have removed any doubts as to whether the referendum would be held.

Through its humanitarian aid programmes, the EU repeatedly donated materials to help cover the basic necessities of the Saharan people, whose situation during a 22-year exile has been precarious.

The holding of the referendum, under the auspices of the United Nations Mission for the area, will require maximum support from the international community in order to ensure that it is held with the greatest possible transparency.

How does the Commission assess the agreement reached by the two parties under the auspices of the UN?

How much assistance does the Commission intend to give those organizing the referendum, with a view to helping with the holding thereof?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (9 December 1997)

Since the adoption of UN Security Council resolution 1084 in November 1996, the international community has in its quest for a peaceful solution to the conflict in Western Sahara chiefly pinned its hopes and efforts on a direct dialogue between the parties.

The appointment of Mr James Baker as the UN Secretary-General's special envoy has without doubt given fresh impetus to those hopes. The agreement concluded between Morocco and the Polisario Front on a code of conduct for the referendum seems to be a step forward towards resolving the conflict.

The Commission is keeping a close eye on developments in Western Sahara and is ready, where necessary, to facilitate any measures that could have a positive impact on the conflict as part of the common foreign policy.