UN Secretary-General Report on the Situation Concerning Western Sahara May 26, 1993
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DOCUMENT: W_SAHARA.TXT
SECRETARY-GENERAL REPORT ON WESTERN SAHARA
May 26, 1993
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ON THE SITUATION CONCERNING
WESTERN SAHARA
1. In its resolution 809 (1993) the Security Council asked me
to report before the end of May1993 on the results of specific
steps which it invited me to take with a view to expediting the
implementation of the Settlement Plan. For reasons explained
below, I believe it might be better to present such a report in
July1993. In the interim, the present status report summarizes
the progress of my efforts to date.
2. In pursuance of paragraph 2 of resolution 809(1993) calling
for efforts to be intensified in order to resolve outstanding
issues, particularly those relating to the interpretation and
application of the criteria for voter eligibility, my Special
Representative Mr.SahabzadaYaqub-Khan, travelled to the mission
area at the end of March for talks with the parties. These
consultations were essentially aimed at eliciting the views of
the parties regarding a possible compromise to bridge existing
differences over the interpretation and application of the
eligibility criteria enunciated in the annex to my predecessor's
report of 19December1991 (S/23299).
3. On his return to New York, Mr.Yaqub-Khan reported to me that
both sides had shown a desire to move towards an early
referendum. Some progress had been made in the sense that
Morocco had not expressed objections to the main elements of the
outline of a proposed compromise and the POLISARIO had, for its
part, not rejected the compromise outright, even though it had
maintained its earlier reservations about the crucial aspects of
the criteria, namely the testimony in support of the eligibility
of applicants to vote. Efforts to overcome these difficulties
are continuing.
4. Against this background and in response to the calls from
the parties as well as several members of the Security Council,
I have decided to visit the mission area in the first week of
June, accompanied by my Special Representative, to make one more
effort to seek a compromise solution.
5. Paragraph 3 of resolution 809(1993) asks me to make the
necessary preparations for the organization of the referendum
and to consult with the parties for an early registration of
voters, starting with the updated lists of the 1974 census. To
that effect, discussions were held with the parties during the
months of March and April concerning a number of relevant
issues. Both sides confirmed their desire to proceed promptly
with the registration of voters and to cooperate with the United
Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO)
in this task. They also agreed to the participation of tribal
chiefs as well as observers from either side in the registration
process.
6. In the light of these consultations it was decided to
establish an Identification Commission, commencing with a
nucleus of about 10members. The Chairman has already arrived in
the area and the advance group of the Identification Commission
is due to establish itself in the Territory, together with
ancillary staff, in the first half of June. After the
completion of essential preparatory activities, the Commission
will start voter registration, initially in Laayoune and
Tindouf, in the course of the same month. Suitably designed
voter registration cards are being printed for this purpose. The
Identification Commission will also draw up plans including
requirements of resources for expanding the identification
process to include all potentially eligible voters, in order to
complete preparations for the referendum by the end of the year,
if possible.
7. The Settlement Plan calls for the establishment of a
Security Unit consisting of 300civilian police for the smooth
and orderly conduct of the referendum. For the initial phase,
now being launched, some 30police officers represent the minimum
requirement. Accordingly, a police contingent of this size
under a Police Commissioner will be available in Western Sahara
by the end of this month.
8. As requested in paragraph4 of resolution 809(1993), my next
report will assess the prospects for the holding of a referendum
this year and will set forth the connected modalities together
with the implications, if any, for MINURSO's role and strength.
Meanwhile, our planning is based on the assumption that the
referendum will be organized and conducted according to the
timetable and plan of action contained in my predecessor's
report of 19April1991 (S/22464). As regards the budget of
$143million, which was approved by the General Assembly on
17May1991, additional resources will be required to restore
funds used for recurrent expenditure since the establishment of
MINURSO some two and a half years ago. The corresponding
estimates will be included in my next report.
9. It is my earnest hope that concrete steps now under way
towards the registration of voters will set in motion a process
that will generate a momentum for the holding of an early
referendum. Furthermore, my intended visit to the mission area
should also serve to underscore that the above process must not
be seen as an open-ended commitment, and that the Settlement
Plan must now be implemented without further delay.
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