WEEKLY NEWS

WEEK 28, 08-14. July 1996


Headlines

King Hassan loose trial against newspaper Le Monde
 Algeria and Mauritania call for a referendum in Western Sahara
 Kingly intransigence
 32th OUA Summit
 Moroccan thanks
 Declaration of the Presidents of Mali and Algeria
 Worsening of the situation



05.07.96
King Hassan loose trial against newspaper Le Monde
The court estimed that the journalist who published the acticle titled " A confidential report accuses Moroccan power of cannabis trade" was completely sincere.

07.07.96
Algeria and Mauritania call for a referendum in Western Sahara
After a visit to Nouakchott of President Zeroual, Algeria and Mauritania insist on the necessity of a selfdetermination referendum in Western Sahara, in order to find a "fair and pacific solution".

08.07.96
Kingly intransigence
King Hassan II of Morocco has said that his country will remain in Western Sahara whether or not the self-determination referendum takes place there. Speaking on the occasion of Youth Day, he said: "Whatever the circumstances and whatever the surrounding conditions, whether there is a referendum or not, if there is a referendum we would welcome it, but if not we are in our Sahara, secure and peace-loving; but we will resist and fight if we are attacked. But first and foremost, (we are) secure and peace-loving but not defenceless."
"Today our political liberties, union rights, the right to free speech and expression, the right to public gatherings and freedom of movement are guaranteed and practised," he added. The king, who has just celebrated his 67th birthday, said he still planned to call a vote for a constitutional amendment to split the parliament into two chambers to strengthen regional representation in a new, lower house. A constitutional referendum is expected in September or October.

08.07.96
32th OAU Summit
The President of SADR participated at the summit at Yaoundé and made encounters with many chiefs of state and governmental delegations, and also with Mr. Boutros Ghali. In his intervention at the plenary session he repeated that the peace plan is essential to reach a fair and definitive solution to the Western Sahara conflict. He repeated the disponibility of the SADR government and the Polisario Front to begin negociations and direct dialogue. SADR was elected to the vice-presidency of the OAU and in a commission named " Mecanism of prevention of conflicts".

10.07.96
Moroccan thanks
Morocco thanks Burkina Faso for its revocation of SADR recognition by renewing economic cooperation and helping the organisation of the next franco-african summit, taking place this year, with the gift of some 125 cars and funds for the restoration of the airport... (Jeune Afrique )

11.07.96
Declaration of the Presidents of Mali and Algeria
The Presidents of Algeria and Mali reaffirmed after a meeting their attachment to the UN-OAU-peace plan and appealed to realize it soon and organize a fair and free selfdetermination referendum. They invited the UN to take measures to bring the two parts to direct talks. They regrete the withdrawal of MINURSO civil observers because it delays the application of the peace plan.

11.07.96
Worsening of the situation
In a letter addressed to the Security Council, the Polisario Front regrets the severe worsening of the situation in Western Sahara (for example the intensification of repression in the occupated territories and the last speech of the King of Morocco). The Polisario Front asks the Security Council to take appropriate measures to bring back faith in the peace process. It particularly protests against the repression in the occupied territories and the lack of reactions of MINURSO.

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