Western Sahara - Sahara Occidental -

PRESS RELEASE

Monday, April 22, 2002

PRESIDENT BUSH ASKED TO TELL MOROCCAN KING: REFERENDUM NOW OR WITHDRAW FROM WESTERN SAHARA

(Washington, D.C.) Suzanne Scholte and Carlos Wilson of the U.S.-Western Sahara Foundation have asked President George Bush to tell the King of Morocco to hold the referendum on Western Sahara now or withdraw from Western Sahara.

"As the leader of the Free World, Mr. President, we urge you to tell the King: "Referendum now or withdraw from the Western Sahara" the two wrote to President Bush.

Western Sahara, which was invaded by Morocco in 1975, remains the only colony of Africa that has not been liberated. Morocco has steadfastly opposed the holding of a United Nations referendum on Western Sahara. "Not only is the blocking of the referendum by Morocco a terrible injustice to the Sahrawi people, it is thwarting the development of a Muslim democracy in North Africa," according to Scholte and Wilson.

The officers of the US- Western Sahara Foundation cited the great inspiration the Sahrawi people have become to the many Americans who have traveled to the refugee camps. A recent delegation of 70 Christians from churches across the country went to the refugee camps specifically to pray for the liberation of Western Sahara.

"Every American who has traveled to the refugee camps has been greatly inspired by the wonderful spirit of the Sahrawis who would rather live as free people in refugee camps than under Moroccan oppression like so many of their family members trapped in occupied Western Sahara," Scholte and Wilson said.

Scholte and Wilson cited in their letter to President Bush, the disappearances, torture and murder of innocent Sahrawis by the Moroccan occupation forces.

The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20504

Dear Mr. President:

We are writing to request that when you meet with the King of Morocco this week that you urge him to either follow through on his commitment to the referendum on Western Sahara or withdraw from his illegal occupation this country. Western Sahara, which was invaded by Morocco in 1975, remains the only colony of Africa that has not been liberated. Morocco has steadfastly opposed the holding of a United Nations referendum on Western Sahara. Not only is the blocking of the referendum by Morocco a terrible injustice to the Sahrawi people, it is thwarting the development of a Muslim democracy in North Africa. The Sahrawi Republic is founded on the principles of democracy with a constitution based on the American constitution. Its citizens, most of whom live in refugees camps, enjoy more freedoms than the citizens of Morocco: equal rights for women, freedom of speech, and the right to vote for all citizens 18 years of age or older.

Every American who has traveled to their refugee camps has been greatly inspired by the wonderful spirit of these people who would rather live as free people in refugee camps than under Moroccan oppression like so many of their family members trapped in occupied Western Sahara.

A great testament to the Sahrawis' respect for human freedoms was illustrated this Easter. A delegation of over 70 American Christians representing churches from all over the United States travelled to the refugee camps for a special Easter Service to pray for our Muslim brothers and sisters, and for the liberation of Western Sahara.

The Sahrawis have seen their loved ones disappear into the infamous Moroccan prisons, where they have been tortured, and some murdered. By contrast, the Sahrawis, who renounce terrorism, have never harmed a single Moroccan civilian in this 27-year struggle for independence.

As the leader of the Free World, Mr. President, we urge you to tell the King: "Referendum now or withdraw from the Western Sahara."

Sincerely,

Suzanne Scholte Carlos Wilson
Chairman Executive Director
U.S.-Western Sahara Foundation U.S.-Western Sahara Foundation

cc:Honorable Colin Powell, Honorable Richard Armitage, Honorable Condolezza Rice, Honorable John Bolton, Honorable Paula Dobriansky, Honorable John Negroponte

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