|
WEEKLY NEWS |
original french
11.-17.11.2001
Liberation
of Mohamed Daddach and all political prisoners sentenced by
Morocco
10.11.01: The Saharawi population of El Ayoun gave a particularly
warm and moving welcome for Mohamed Daddach and the other liberated
Saharawi political prisoners. Welcomed at the entrance to the town by
about fifty cars, the motorcade set off for the meeting place where a
ceremony was held under close police surveillance. Daddach expressed
thanks for the support which had been given him as well as the other
detainees. He called on the UN to organise the referendum. Other
detainees as well as representatives of Saharawi human rights
organisations spoke. Their speeches were punctuated by slogans
chanted in favour of the right to self-determination. A similar
ceremony took place in Smara on 13 November. (Speech of the Action
Committee for the liberation of M Daddach and all Saharawi prisoners,
french)(Communiqué
AFAPREDESA, 13.11.01, spanish
)
13.11.01
56th Ordinary Session of the UN General Assembly
During a general debate, several speakers brought up the question of
Western Sahara. Mauritania "supports the efforts of the Secretary
General and his personal envoy, James Baker, towards finding a
definitive solution which would ensure stability in the region and
which would benefit from the agreement of all the parties."
Algeria denounced the obstacles to the implementation of the
referendum, in particular the appeals lodged by Morocco, and asked
the parties to complete the referendum process and the UN to respect
its commitments.
The Namibian representative said: « History teaches us
that no "Administrative Power" has relinquished authority as a
gesture of good will .(...) No amount of difficulties can justify an
abandonment of the United Nations Settlement Plan for Western Sahara.
(...) Namibia will disassociate itself with any plan, informal or
otherwise, to deny the Saharawi people their legitimate right to
express themselves through a free, fair and impartial referendum for
their self-determination. »
Angola thinks it is necessary to seek a solution acceptable to both
parties, allowing barriers to be surmounted to the
implementation of a plan to resolve the conflict, and Panama
insisted on the respect of the right to self-determination and on
resolving the problem through dialogue. (UN)
12-16.11.01
Danielle Mitterrand
After her journey around the Saharawi refugee camps, Danielle
Mitterrand arrived in Morocco, in order to meet in Rabat, Casablanca
and Marrakech the Moroccan partners of her foundation, France
Libertés in the fields of development, education and human
rights.
She had the intention of finishing her trip in El Ayoun, capital of
Western Sahara, so she could contact Saharawi human rights activists.
Her commitment to the Saharawi people and against Moroccan annexation
of Western Sahara provoked defensive action, while in El Ayoun the
Saharawi militants were preparing a warm welcome for her. A
hysterical, defamatory and dishonest campaign was orchestrated by the
media, going so far as the front page headline: "The Polisario mole".
Moroccan settlers in Western Sahara as well as pro-Moroccan Saharawis
were mobilised by a "Committee to ban the visit of the said Danielle
Mitterrand to Laayoune", which launched a petition and planned a
sit-in at El Ayoun airport, in order to forbid the president of
France Libertés " to sully the sacred soil of Laayoune".
A delegation comprising the wali of El Ayoun, Khalihenna ould Rachid,
the defector, Hakim Ibrahim and other pro-Moroccan Saharawi
notables, met Mrs Mitterrand in Marrakech for four hours to try to
dissuade her from continuing her trip and to convince her to go back
on her declarations, which "attack the dignity of the Moroccan people
and the sacred territorial unity of Morocco".
After the renewal of agitation in the occupied territories provoked
by activity in favour of the Saharawi detainees, social problems and
the commemoration of the uprising of 1999, damning testimonies
appearing in the Spanish press on the precarious situation of
the Saharawi population, and the popular welcome for the liberated
political prisoners, it was necessary at any price to prevent another
testimony. On 16 November, the Moroccan authorities forbad the
president of France-Libertés from embarking on a flight to El
Ayoun.
The European parliamentary intergroup "Peace for the Saharawi people"
deplored this measure calling it "an act of censorship and
intolerance".
13.11.01
UN - S/2001/1067
In a letter to the President of the Security Council, the
Secretary-general asks for a technical extension of the MINURSO
mandate for 2 months, through 31 January 2002, because the
consultations of his Personal Envoy are still continuing. He will
submit his report "in good time before the date".(Letter dated 12
November 2001 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President
of the Security Council - PDF)
- HTML)
13.11.01
Spanish-Moroccan crisis
Ignacio Cembrero, in El Pais on 11.11 reveals certain aspects of the
crisis provoked by Morocco. The Belgian EU presidency at the
request of MEP Isidoro Sanchez, had drawn up the European position on
the question of the Sahara with a view to the discussions of the UN
4th Commission. The French Embassy at the United Nations suggested
another text, which did not mention the referendum and simply
supported the autonomy plan. Spanish diplomats and representatives of
European countries at the UN refused to be manipulated by France. It
was the original text which was then submitted to the 4th commission,
provoking the ire of Morocco against Spain. Spain continues to
persist in a steadfast position of support to the UN and is
astonished at the partiality of France, which takes a Moroccan line,
thus preventing a common position for the EU.
Subsequently, in his speech to the UN General Assembly, the Moroccan
Minister of Foreign Affairs denounced the occupation of Ceuta and
Melilla by Spain. In response his Spanish counterpart declared that
the Sahara is "a historical claim of Moroccan nationalism which Spain
will never share".
Returning fire the Moroccan No 2 , Taieb Fassi-Fihri, demanded of
Spain "a clear position of effective and sincere support" for the UN
autonomy plan.
On
the level of internal politics, the president of the Canarian
Socialist party, Senator Jerónimo Saavedra, ex-minister from
the governments of Felipe González, declared himself in favour
of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, believing it is better
to have a stable political regime which enjoys an American guarantee
than an unstable regime with the risk of fundamentalism and missiles
installed on the coast (facing the Canaries).
These declarations aroused numerous reactions, among them the
Asociación Canaria de Solidaridad con el Pueblo Saharaui which
noted that nothing indicated up until the present, that a Moroccan
government would provide democracy or the respect of human rights or
the economic interests of the Canaries.
These declarations were orchestrated by the Moroccan government to
distort reality, influence public opinion in Spain and sell the
message that the only solution to the conflict is integration with
Morocco, Carmelo Ramirez said. He is vice-president of the Canaries
Government. The Ligue Pro Derechos Humanos, for its part criticised
the ambiguous position of the PSOE on the question of the
Sahara.
14.11.01
Madrid Accords
The 26th anniversary of the tripartite Madrid Accords gave rise to
actions and expression of views:
- In Switzerland a petition was handed in to the Spanish Embassy in Bern, signed by the two committees of support to the Saharawi people and four NGOs. It calls the former colonial power to assume its responsibility in relation to its colony abandoned in 1975, to cancel/terminate the Accords and to contribute actively to the holding of the referendum. (Press statement french/spanish)
- The Polisario Front representatives in Switzerland and with the UN pubished a statement (french) likewise the national Spanish Coordination of associations of solidarity with the Saharawi people (Comunicado de la Coordinadora estatal de asociaciones de solidaridad y amistad con el pueblo saharaui )
14.11.01
Military manoeuvres
The Saharawi army proceeded with military manoeuvres near Tifariti,
in the liberated territories of SADR. The seventh since the beginning
of the year, these manoeuvres took place in the presence of the
president Mohamed Abdelaziz. An attack on an enemy in a defensive
situation was simulated.
15.11.01
ICRC
In El Ayoun a delegate from the ICRC met from 2-6 November 24 former
Polisario Front soldiers whose whereabouts are being sought.
One of them was seen on 7 November in a place of detention near
Casablanca. Following the repatriation of 201Moroccan prisoners on 14
December 2000, a list of 179 Saharawi war veterans was given to the
president of ICRC. The fate of over 150 persons, gone missing between
1975 and 1991 remains to be clarified. Furthermore, over 800
combattants from the Moroccan armed forces are sought and 1479
Moroccan prisoners captured between 1975 and 1991 are still held in
camps in the Tindouf region.(Press
statement
)
Sweden
The 34th congress of the Swedish social-democratic party declared
itself in favour of the referendum of self-determination and asks
Sweden and the European Union to put pressure on Morocco to make it
cooperate fully with the UN.
The Swedish government is called upon to act in a letter to the
Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs on 13 November. The Green Party,
The Left Party, The Christian Democratic Party, The Center Youth, The
Liberal Youth, The Left Youth, several members of the European
Parliament and of the Swedish Parliament representing different
political parties and a number of NGOs urge the Swedish government to
act internationally for the implementation of the peace plan and an
immediate holding of the referendum. The government is also requested
to act against the exploitation of the natural resources of Western
Sahara, to act for an immediate increase of international
humanitarian aid to the Saharawi refugees and to act for the defence
of human rights in the occupied territory of Western Sahara. The
letter is initiated by Afrikagrupperna, Föreningen
Västsahara and Saharabulletinen.
15.11.01
European Parliament
Addressing a human rights parliamentary delegation in Strasbourg,
Plaid Cymru MEP for Wales Eurig Wyn, who has himself visited the
country, said:
"We could soon see the break out of hostilities in Western Sahara
unless urgent diplomatic initiatives succeed. The sole demand being
made by the Saharawi people is that they be allowed to vote on their
country's future status. This is a democratic right they should be
allowed in line with previous decisions of the UN Security
Council."
17.11.01
Last minute
In Smara violent clashes opposed demonstrating Saharawis to the
police. (The Sahrawis are organising since weeks sit-ins in front of
official buildings asking for better life conditions). The BERDHSO
announces 4 seriously wounded people and mentions the names of 8
arrested. The HR organisation appeals to send protests to UN
Secretary-general and the Moroccan minister of Interior
(communiqué
BERDHSO).
In the same time the Saharawi national radio announced that the
activists of the Forum Vérité et Justice Sahara had
been informed of a decision to freeze its activities as a consequence
of the manifestations hold around the liberation of the political
prisoners.
SOLIDARITY
Sevilla, 17 de Noviembre: Reincidentes y la Asociación Provincial de Amistad con el Pueblo saharaui de Sevilla organiza en el campo de fútbol de la Alameda de Hércules, en Sevilla, un concierto de Rock en solidaridad con el pueblo saharaui, con los grupos:Spttle dog, Narco, Reincidentes.
Oviedo, 09.11.01: Más de 200 personas clamaron el por los derechos del Sahara Occidental en una concentración frente al Teatro Campoamor. Uno de los motivos de esta concentración reside en el aniversario de la firma de los acuerdos tripartitos de Madrid el 14 de noviembre de 1975. No faltaron tampoco las consignas contras los últimos episodios desencadenados por el monarca alauí, Mohamed VI, en su visita a este territorio que enfrenta a Marruecos y el Frente Polisario desde 1975.
Le Havre, France: L'ONG "Un Camion Citerne pour les Sahraouis" a interpellé M. Lionel Jospin, Premier Ministre, sur l'accord conclu entre Total Fina Elf et l'ONAREP sur les propections pétrolières au Sahara Occidental ; cette protestation a été adressé également à trois députés locaux.
Navarre, 13.11.01: l'université publique de a accordé deux bourses à des étudiants du Sahara Occidental ou du Kurdistan pour l'année universitaire 2001-2002.
PROCHAINEMENT
Madrid, Miércoles 21 de noviembre a las 18.30 horas: CONCENTRACION FRENTE AL MUSEO DEL PRADO (Bulevar Pza de Neptuno) Sahara en el corazón. POR UN REFERENDUM JUSTO, LIBRE Y TRANSPARENTE. Iniciativa popular legislativa: "Paz y libertad para el pueblo saharaui". Entrega de 500.000 firmas en el Parlamento. Entrega de las 500.000 firmas recogidas en la iniciativa popular "Paz y Libertad para el Pueblo Saharaui"
Albacete: A propósito del aniversario de la firma de los acuerdos tripartitos de Madrid en 1975, que provocaron el éxodo del pueblo saharaui, la Asociación de Amigos de estos refugiados ha organizado una serie de actos, que darán comienzo hoy miércoles, 14 de noviembre, a las 8 de la tarde, en el salón de actos de la Diputación Provincial, con la conferencia titulada Historias del Sahara, que correrá a cargo de Alejandro García, profesor de Historia de la Universidad de Murcia.El próximo acto será una cena-encuentro con todos aquellos que se muestran a favor de la causa saharaui. La cena se celebrará el 23 de noviembre, a las 9 de la noche, en el Hotel Universidad.
Bologna, 30.11.01: Presso il Centro Zonarelli, in Via Vezza/Via Sacco 14, alle ore 20, Cena Saharawi. Con documentazione e proiezione video. L'incasso della serata servirà per acquistare un elettrocardiografo per l'ospedale di Smara che sarà portato ai campi profughi dai partecipanti al viaggio dal 23/2 al 2/3 2002 in occasione della II Maratona del Sahara. Per prenotazioni ( £. 30.000 ; i bambini non pagano) telefonare entro il 28-11-2001 a: Claudia 051 368454 o Leo 338 1460228 Associazione "El Ouali" Bologna. http://www.saharawi .org / elouali@saharawi.org
VOLS CHARTER - VUELOS CHARTER - CHARTER FLIGHTS
INFORMATION SAHARA MARATHON 2002 - 25.02.2002
|
7799 Leesburg Pike , Suite 900N Falls Church, VA 22043 Telephone: 703-969-0049 e-mail: info@saharamarathon.org |
Dr. George Wortley 1398 Tolley Meadow Rd. Big Island, VA 24526 Telephone: 434 299-5819, Fax: 434 299-5642 e-mail: usa@saharamarathon.org |
|
E. Sánchez Pez, 27, 1° Dcha. 28004 MADRID Telefonos: 915 218 487 y 629 765 766 Fax: 915 218 487 e-mail: spain@saharamarathon.org Vuelo charter de Madrid : 23.02.02 |
Dr. Holger and Ulrike Finkernagel Postrasse 15 57379, Badberleburg GERMANY Telefon: 02751-459 or 02751-4119941 or 0175 541 8238 ,Fax: 02751-928185 e-mail: germany@saharamarathon.org Charter Flug ab Frankfurt :24.2.2002 - 28.2.2002 |
|
e-mail: italy@saharamarathon.org - mdurli@saharawi.org - celestegroup@tin.it tel. 338/1460228 / Ass.Celeste Group - tel. 051-504162- 6336371 Per
la 2° edizione della SaharaMarathon , l'associazione El Ouali
Bologna e l'associazione Celeste Group rispettivamente promuovono e
coordinano in Italia l'organizzazione della SaharaMarathon, in
collaborazione con le Associazioni Jaima Saharawi di Reggio Emilia,
Kabara Lagdaf di Modena, Comitato di solidarietà di Ferrara,
Comitato di solidarietà di Rimini, con il patrocinio del Comune
di Bologna e della Regione Emilia- Romagna. |
|
|
Mr. Luis and Rute Sousa e-mail: portugal@saharamarathon.org |
|
INTERNET
NEW
PUBLICATIONS
[External
links to newspapers may not be valid after some days because the
servers are restarted]
français
english
castellano
Catala
Swedish
deutsch
