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26.04.97
Waiting for Baker
In occasion of Baker's visit about sixty reporters were in the
Sahrawi camps. They could visit the refugee camps and make themselves
an opinion about the harsch life conditions of the refugees. They
could also encounter Moroccan POWs.
European parliamentary groups and 25 political VIPs from Europe and
Latin America were present to prove to Baker that the Sahrawi issue
is not a marginal conflict, and to show that the Sahrawi people is
not alone. They handed over to Baker a document ( spanish
or french), in which they express their
concern, asking Baker to do all his possible to save the peace
plan.
In a press release ( french ) the Polisario
Front resumes its position, it exposed to Baker in a memorandum.
27.04.97
Baker's visit
Arriving by plane at Tindouf from Nouakshott Baker reaches the wilaya
of Smara by car. A sand storm did not allow to use a helicopter. Tens
of thousand of refugees lined the dusty road into Smara welcoming
Baker' convoy of jeeps like a liberating army with women ululating,
children cheering, men in flowing robes giving peace signs and
eveyone waving the Sahara flag. Some 2000 soldiers also stood at
attention, many of them aged and bent, veterans of the war.
The talks with Sahrawi officials began immediately in a tent.
To the medias James Baker terms his talks as excellent. He says that
the problem was complex and extremely difficult, but it was not
hopeless "or I wouldn't otherwise be here". "I am convinced that the
people in this region are overly weary with this issue and this
problem and are ready for a just lasting and definitive solution". "I
will present my report to the UN Secretary General after my return to
USA. He has to decide if the peace plan can actually be implemented
or not. He is likely to return to the region in June, after the UN
Security Council meets to define its position.
Liberation of Moroccan POWs
Baker announced that the Polisario Front was releasing 85
prisoners of war in a surprise move that he said was "a very, very
generous humanitarian gesture of support for our mission".
The AFAPREDESA, in a communique (french),
exprimes its satisfaction concerning this liberation and hopes the
POWs could go home rapidly. The Sahrawi Human Rights Organisation
exprimed the wish Morocco could do same.
On demand we can give informations to relatives about the identity of the released prisoners.
27.04.97
Denial
The wives of the Ambassadors of European Union at Rabat refused an
official invitation to visit El Ayoun the main city of the occupied
Western Sahara.
01.05.97
Communique of the Sahrawi Workers Organisation
In occasion of May the first the UGTSARIO in a communique appeals to
all workers organisation to call the Moroccan authorities to stop the
repression against the Sahrawi workers in occupied Western
Sahara.
New Sahrawi NGO
On April 18th some technicians and communication specialists have
started in the refugee camps a NGO named ASC, Association pour la
Communication. It will install a reliable communication network,
using modern technology, in order to join the refugee camps with the
whole world. The ASC ist supported by APC, Association for
Progressive Communication, whose membership it will obtain. An
International Conference about Communication and Information
concerning Western Sahara will take place in San Sebastian, Spain,
next 6/7/8.of June.
New address of the Representation of the F. Polisario in
Switzerland
Mr. Habiballah, Rue de Vermont 9, CH-1202 Geneva, phone + fax: + 41
22 740 34 39
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