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WEEKS 03 -04 : 16.01.-29.01.2005 |
15.01.05, Ali
Lemrabet
The independent Moroccan journalist, Ali Lemrabet emphasises that he
"moved about with complete freedom" in the Saharawi refugee camps,
and that he was "warmly welcomed" by the Saharawis during his visit
to SADR, accusing his country's regime of spreading propaganda about
the Polisario Front. [complete
text
of the interview appearing in "Al Mustakil" on 7 January translated
from the Arabic by SPS]
19.01.05,
Solidarity
The President of the Republic, Mohamed Abdelaziz, receives the
President of the Arab Committee of Solidarity with the Saharawi
People, Mr. Mahmoud Marai. Mr. Mahmoud Marai told SPS that this visit
to SADR allowed him to see close at hand the conditions "in which the
Saharawi Arab people live, which are inhumane", and which, according
to him, require "action of solidarity and support by Arab civil
society, Arab human rights NGOs , as well as particular attention
from the Arab League". [SPS]
22.01.05,
Prisoners of war
The International Red Cross (ICRC) repatriates to Morocco two
prisoners of war aged 57 and 48, Lahmadi Ahmed and Badaoui Miloud,
held for 16 and 17 years, released following a deterioration in their
state of health. 410 Moroccan prisoners of war are still held
captive. Lahmadi, a member of the auxiliary forces, died on 24
January in the military hospital of Marrakech.
[ICRC]
This tragic episode set off a wave of demands in Morocco for the
release of the 410 prisoners of war remaining and revived the debate
about the indifference of the Moroccan authorities regarding the
prisoners already released...
08.01.04,
Illegal fishing
«12 fishing boats have been inspected by the royal navy in
Dakhla-Villa Cisneros. They were the fleet which was fishing in a
prohibited area within 5 miles of the coast. The boats seized in
flagrante delicto belong to barons of the "south", notably Maa el
Aïnine, president of the chamber of fishing and to Derhem. The
other boats are the property of companies such as Lucky Fisheries and
Royal Fisheries, whose fishing licences belong to army officers. The
law makes clear that in this case, the ship owners must pay a fine.
This revenue is paid into an account managed by the command of the
armed forces in the "southern" zone. This could set the generals
controlling fishing against those banking funds on behalf of the
state." [Telquel]
12.01.05,
Violence
During violent clashes between Saharawi strikers and the Moroccan
forces of occupation in Dakhla, a handicapped Saharawi citizen,
Laaroussi Elmakki, was wounded and taken as an emergency to hospital
in occupied Dakhla. [Cahiers du Sahara
in
Arabic]
14.01.05,
Illegal immigration
The president of the autonomous government of the Canaries reveals
that Morocco will send from 3 to 5000 troops to the Sahara. In
addition to the 7000 police already on the spot, they will reinforce
the unit fighting illegal immigration to Fuerteventura. It is the
King of Morocco who himself announced this decision to an official
delegation from the Canaries, taking part in an international meeting
on tourism in Ouarzazate. [El Pais]
The Spanish minister for Employment and social affairs welcomed this
decision which he called "positive".
18.01.05
The Association of exporters from the Canaries (Aunexca) visits
Dakhla from 27-31 January to explore commercial prospects of the
zone. [Canarias ahora]
24.01.05,
Amnesty International
A.I. publishes a report on Morocco and Western Sahara after a
delegation visited the area 5-21 January. While welcoming an opening
up on human rights matters, the NGO points out that "
Regrettably, the current climate of openness does not extend to
discussion of rights and freedoms in Western Sahara. During Amnesty
International's visit, the Moroccan authorities refused to allow a
group of human rights activists in the disputed territory to begin
procedures to register their association. This is only the latest in
a series of measures to suppress freedom of expression on Western
Sahara, which has helped foster deep mistrust towards the
authorities' approach to human rights within the territory.»
[Amnesty
international Press release,
24/01/2005]
24.01.05,
Council of Europe
The Standing Committee of the Council of Europe, acting on behalf of
the Parliamentary Assembly adopted on 23 November 2004 resolution
1408 on Western Sahara. It remains concerned over the lack of
substantial progress in finding a fair and lasting political
solution, which is acceptable to the different parties, to the
dispute over Western Sahara.
It considers that the conflict causes unacceptable hardship and
suffering for innocent people and has led to an unbearable
humanitarian situation which should no longer be tolerated.
The Assembly gives its full backing to the United Nations Security
Council Resolution 1541 (2004) and the Peace Plan for
Self-Determination of the People of Western Sahara, Baker plan, and
urges the authorities of Morocco to seize the opportunity and show a
attitude of compromise towards acceptance of the Peace Plan and hence
to put an end to the dispute over Western Sahara.
The Assembly underlines the necessity not to forget the humanitarian
aspects of the dispute, including the food situation in the Tindouf
area refugee camps. Noting with satisfaction the release of Moroccan
prisoners of war, it calls on the Polisario Front to hasten the
release of the 412 prisoners still being held.
[Resolution
1408 (2004)]
[see also Doc.
10346,
report of the Political Affairs Committee, rapporteur: Mr Puche, of
October 20 2004] [Declaration of Mohamed Sidati,
19.01.05,
French]
25.01.05
Mr. Richard Erdman, US Ambassador in Algiers, to the Algerian daily
Liberté:
«The United States believes that greater regional cooperation
will serve the interests of all the Maghreb countries. As to the
conflict in Western Sahara, we support a political solution to this
question within a UN framework and the right to self-determination
along the lines of the Baker plan. In this regard, we believe that
good relations between Morocco and Algeria will contribute to a
regional climate which is more favourable to a settlement of this
conflict»
24-25.01.05,
Visit to Algeria of a delegation from the American Congress
A delegation of five congressmen led by Edward Royce, Republican from
California and member of the Committee of International Relations of
the House of Representatives, accompanied by Betty McCollum
(Democrat, Minnesota), Jim McDermott (Democrat, Washington), Diane
Watson (Democrat, California) and Barbara Lee (Democrat, California)
meet President Bouteflika, the presidents of the two chambers and the
Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as the Secretary General of the
Ministry of Defence.
Royce to the press: "We have spoken about the way of improving our
mutual efforts to settle the problem of Western Sahara, one of the
most preoccupying for us." " We firmly believe that justice and peace
will prevail in a solution capable of delivering to the people of
Western Sahara the recognition of their rights". "The UN is up to the
job of finding a just solution". [press]
17-19.01.05, Official visit of King Juan Carlos I of Spain
On the eve of the visit:
Several associations of solidarity with the Saharawi people publish open letters to the King of Spain, asking him not to forget the Saharawi people. [AFAPREDESA y UJS 11/01/05] [ASOCIACIONES DE AMISTAD Y SOLIDARIDAD CON EL PUEBLO SAHARAUI DEL ESTADO ESPAÑOL, 14.01.05] [Bahia M.H Awah, periodista saharaui 14.01.05] [FEDERACIÓN ANDALUZA DE ASOCIACIONES SOLIDARIAS CON EL SÁHARA, 16.01.05] [Hamdi Mansur delegado del Frente Polisario en Tenerife, 18.01.05]
14.01.05,
Decorations
The Spanish Council of Ministers awards the chain of the order of
Charles III to King Mohamed VI. Over a dozen Moroccan personalities
receive the Grand Cross of the order of Isabella the Catholic,
including the head of the gendarmerie, General Hosni Benslimane and
the director of National Security, General Hamidou Lanigri, called
into question by Moroccan human rights organisations. [Le
Monde 18.01.05]
Numerous Moroccan human rights activists express their amazement and
indignation.
16.01.05,
Interview with the King of Morocco
El Pais publishes an interview with Mohamed VI, here are passages
concerning Western Sahara: "The territory was recovered in 1975 in a
legal and peaceful way" "Neither myself not the Moroccan people
will ever agree to give up our sovereignty over these provinces". "A
political solution must be negotiated. hay que negociar una
solución política (...) which consists in allowing the
populations concerned to run their own affairs within the context of
Moroccan sovereignty". "It is a question (the type of autonomy) which
we are in the process of discussing with the United Nations".
[El Pais]
16.01.05,
Amnesty International
The Spanish section of AI, in an open letter
[Spanish]
to the King of Spain, expresses its concerns about the human
rights situation in Morocco and in Western Sahara.
16.01.05, Open
letter of Mohamed Abdelaziz to the King of Spain
The Saharawi president asks Spain to use its influence to shift the
position of Morocco on Western Sahara, notably on the organisation of
the referendum.
"Your Majesty must not let the occasion of a state visit to the
Moroccan kingdom pass by without, directly or indirectly, ending the
deep wound that afflicts the Sahrawi people," wrote Polisario leader
Mohammed Abdelaziz. [Daily
Star of Lebanon/AFP
19.01.05] [SPS]
[BBC]
The visit
17.01.05,
Marrakech
In a speech at a dinner, Juan Carlos expresses views on the Sahara,
but he does not mention the Baker plan and repeats that "Spain is
firmly decided to help bring, in the framework of UN resolutions, a
just, definitive and acceptable solution". In his response, Mohamed
VI is content to repeat the Moroccan position. Not less than five
ministers take part in the trip, that is as well as the Minister of
Foreign Affairs, those of Industry, Culture, Education and
Development.
18.01.05,
Rabat, parliament
King Juan Carlos of Spain has called for a fair final settlement of
the Western Sahara dispute, in a speech to the Moroccan parliament in
Rabat. He said Spain wanted to see a "consensual, just and final"
settlement for the former Spanish colony.
[BBC]
19.01.05,
Tangiers, economic leaders
Juan Carlos presides over the opening ceremony of a Moroccan-Spanish
enterprise meeting. He declares that "Spain has decided to develop an
increasingly closer relationship with Morocco".
This trip has been presented to Morocco as "the grand reconciliation" between the two kingdoms. This normalisation had started with the arrival to power of the Socialist party in March 2004, after the various crises due to the non-renewal of the fishing agreements, tension around Parsley Islet, problems of illegal immigration and terrorist attacks.
In Spain the visit raised a debate concerning the shift in the Spanish position on Western Sahara and the over-conciliatory attitude on the question of terrorism. This visit gives a blessing to the change of attitude by the Spanish government on the question of Western Sahara, abandoning the Baker plan and seeking a political solution.
24. - 28.01.05, Official visit of President Abdelaziz to Catalonia
The Saharawi president carried out this week-long official visit in Catalonia with a very busy program of meetings.
On 25.01.05 he is received at the Barcelona Town Hall by the Mayor, then by the President of the Catalan government, Pasqual Maragall, finishing the day with a dinner-debate organised in his honour by business men and specialist journalists from the economic world. The delegation comprises M'hamed Khaddad, coordinator with MINURSO, Ministers Khalil Sidi Mohammed, Salek Baba Hassena and Mahfouda Rahal. Catalan celebrities and politicians recalled the great interest but also the understanding and solidarity shown by the great majority of the Spanish and Catalan population in favour of Western Sahara and its people.
On 26.01.05 it's the Town Hall of Sabadell, which has maintained relations of solidarity for decades with SADR, which welcomes the delegation with great pomp. In the afternoon a visit to the Catalonian parliament, whose president, Mr. Ernesto Benach, underlines the fact that Western Sahara is a major "concern" of all the Catalonian political parties in the parliament, which supported unanimously last July the Security Council's resolution. The Saharawi head of state thanks the President of the Parliament and the representatives of the Catalonian people for the welcome accorded them. He calls nevertheless for "urgent and firm action to bring peace to the Saharawi people", affirming his country's wish to consolidate relations of cooperation and friendship with the Catalonian people and government.
In a press conference Abdelaziz points out that the position of the Spanish government is essentially "ambiguous". He asks for a more decisive, resolute and firmer attitude in favour of a referendum of self-determination.
The 27.01.05 is kept for meetings with the principle leaders of Catalonian political powers and with the parliamentary group, Peace for the Saharawi people. On Friday 28 there was a great meal with the solidarity associations.
SPAIN
22.01.05
Death of Colonel José Ramón Diego Aguirre, historian
and author of several elementary books on Western Sahara. Member of
the general government of the Sahara in 1966, he became devoted
to the Saharawi cause through his publications and commitment to the
the Association of solidarity in Spain. He was honoured by the
citizenship of SADR in 1989.
Publications: "Historia del Sahara Español" (1988), "Guerra en
el Sahara" (1991) et "La última guerra colonial de
España" (1993), "El Oscuro Pasado del Desierto" (2004).
[see some tributes, Spanish]
27.01.05, ONU,
Report of the Secretary general, S/2005/49
In this interim report , which the Security Council asked Kofi Annan
to submit, the Secretary General "regrets having to inform the
Council that the parties are still not agreed on the way of
overcoming the present impasse concerning the Peace Plan for the
self-determination of the Western Sahara." He adds that he fears "
that the prolonged persistence of the deadlock might lead to a
deterioration of the situation in Western Sahara" and asks to
maintain the size of the MINURSO mission.
Two other aspects should be pointed out: the fight against illegal immigration and the confidence-building measures. Concerning the first, Annan mentions that the two parties have taken measures to discourage the growing movements of illegal migrants and smugglers, measures which in themselves constitute "violations of the military agreement Nº1". The migrants from Mijek [weeks 25-26 2004] were repatriated by the world organisation for repatriation, those in Tifariti by MINURSO. New fact, MINURSO will provide logistic support for repatriations. Meanwhile, the visits between the refugees in the camps and their families in the territory will start again in March, if funds suffice.
26.01.04
El Premio Juan María Bandrés otorgado a la
Comisión de Derechos Humanos en el Sáhara del Consejo
General de la Abogacía Española por su misión de
observación en los juicios que se desarrollan contra presos
políticos saharauis en el Sáhara Occidental.
[Rebelion
,
27.01.05]
26.-31.01.05,
World Social Forum
A delegation comprising Saharawi organisations and those from the
European solidarity movement take part in the Vth Forum in Porto
Alegre in the aim of making the Saharawi cause better known within
the alternative world movement. On 27 January, under the heading of
"Towards construction of international democratic order and people's
integration", a round table discussion on the subject" "Other
walls: the case of Western Sahara" took place, with the participation
of Mr Sidati, Abba Hassan and activists from Basque solidarity
associations. This was an occasion for analysing the causes of the
conflict and retracing its history as well as human rights abuses in
the occupied territories by Morocco. It had a large public following
of young people, principally Latin American.
[read]
30. -31.01.05, Abuja, Nigeria: participates to theFourth African Union Summit.
02.02.05,
Western Sahara : What future for Africa's last colony?
A study organized by the Department of Spanish and Portuguese
the School of Modern Languages and cultures and the
Cervantes Institute. Michael Sadler building (LG15), university of
Leeds, UK.
14:00-15:00 pm: Western Sahara: The forgotten conflict, by Dr Pablo
San Martin (University of Leeds) + La Fuga del Infierno (Escape from
Hell), 20 min. documentary based on original TV footage of the
Saharawi exodus in 1975-6 + Reading of Saharawi Poetry
15:10-16:10 pm: The Saharawi Refugee Camps: social and cultural
revolution in no man's land by Fatima Mahfud (Polisario Front
Representative in Italy and member of the National Union of Saharawi
Women) Presented by Liman Mohamed Ali, Polisario Representative in
the UK
16:20-17:30 pm: Beat of Distant Hearts. Art of Revolution in Western
Sahara, 50 min. documentary Presented by filmmaker Danielle Smith.
INFO: P.SanMartin[at]leeds.ac.uk
05-06.02.05,
11ème Maghreb des livres - hôtel de ville de Paris
Samedi 5 février: 12 - 21h, Dimanche 6 février : 11 -
20h, avec un STAND de L'OUEST
SAHARIEN
http://ouest_saharien.site.voila.fr/
10-27.02.05,
Sahara Art Caravan: paintings from the camps
At Gasworks Arts Park in the Angela Robarts Bird gallery open
Thursday &endash;Sunday 1-5pm. It will be part of A Taste for Living
Festival on Sunday 27 February at Gasworks Arts Park, 21 Graham St,
Albert Park. Enquiries to AWSA, 0425 702 975 or awsamel[at]alphalink.com.au
Vuelo charter a los campamentos desde Cantabria del 12 al 19 de febrero de 2005.
24.02.05, Guadalajara, IV Festival Musical a favor del Pueblo Saharaui. El Acto tendrá lugar en el Teatro Auditorio "Buero Vallejo", a las 20.30 h y en el que actuarán Mariem Hassan, una de las más conocidas cantantes saharauis, que recorre el mundo con sus conciertos de música tradicional, y Enrique Morente, una de las primeras figuras del cante flamenco.Contacto 676 25 93 98 (Socorro).
5. Sahara Marathon: 28.02.2005
Festival Internacional de Cine del Sahara: 03 - 06 de marzo de 2005.
Las primeras jornadas internacionales sobre derechos humanos del pueblo saharaui, Ciudad de Olivenza (Badajoz), 11 y 12 de marzo de 2005.
Vol "Catalunya amb el Sàhara" setmana santa 2005 Info: sahandreu[at]yahoo.es
Noviembre 2005: Jornadas internacionales de arqueología, Sahara Occidental (Rekeiz, Tifaritti) Info: bcheij[at]hotmail.com - narcis.soler[at]udg.es
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