After years of stalemate, the Kingdom of Morocco and the Polisario Front
have agreed upon a plan to conduct a referendum on self-determination
for the people of Western Sahara. This breakthrough was engineered by
former Secretary of State James Baker. It is an honor to have Secretary
Baker here today to speak to this in his capacity as Special Envoy of
the U.N. Secretary General for Western Sahara. Secretary Baker would
probably protest that what he has accomplished thus far is no miracle,
but the many who have suffered through the decades of conflict in this
region, the ray of light he has engineered might to be miraculous.
Years of fighting between Morocco and the Polisario Front has claimed
thousands of lives and created hundred of thousands of refugees. There
has been a cease -fire in effect since 1991, but it took Secretary
Baker's efforts to act as a true catalyst in achieving something more
than just quiet tension. His diplomacy has broken the stalemate on such
issues as the process of voters identification, a code of conduct during
the election period, and the rapatriation of hundreds of thousands of
refugees. No firm date has been set for balloting, but we appear to be
closer to a free and fair referendum for Western Sahara than at any time
in the last two decades.
The equitable ending of this conflict is important to the U.S. Morocco
is a long standing American ally, and continued turmoil in the region is
contrary to U.S. interests. Moreover, the U.S. has important relations
with Algeria, the main supporter of the Polisario Front. A resolution of
the Western Sahara dispute supports both Morocco and the Polisario
Front, who have made the tough decision to peacefully work out their
differences. The contentious issue of self-determination for Western
Sahara poses a danger of instability for the region. This issue must be
resolved. On the other hand, peace in Western Sahara will allow for
economic development and democratization in the region.
I believe that this conflict, which has often seemed intractable, hasn't
received the attention it deserves. That is now changing with Secretary
Bakers's engagement, as well as with the attention the Congress is now
paying to this issue. Earlier in this month, I introduced a resolution,
House Resolution 245, which not only commended Secretary Baker's
diplomacy, but also puts the house of Representatives on record as
supporting a free and fair and transparent referendum process. It should
reach the House floor next week. I would like to thank the many
co-sponsors od this resolution, particularly Congressman Robert
Menendez, the ranking minority member of the House Africa Subcommitte.
Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington DC 20515-3013