UN envoy for Western Sahara begins four-day visit to region

The top United Nations envoy guiding negotiations to end the conflict over Western Sahara began his four-day visit to the region today, a United Nations spokesperson said today in New York.

James A. Baker III, Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, who arrived in Morocco today, is scheduled to visit Rabat, Algiers, Tindouf and Nouakchott for meetings with the Governments of Morocco, Algeria and Mauritania and the leadership of the Frente POLISARIO, spokesman Fred Eckhard said.

During his mission, Mr. Baker will present and explain to the parties and neighbouring countries a proposal for a political solution of the conflict, which provides for self-determination as requested by a Security Council resolution adopted last July.