Western Sahara: Annan proposes new peace plan, extension for UN mission

In order to give the Security Council time to consider the best way forward on a plan to resolve the situation in Western Sahara, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today proposed a two-month extension, until 31 July, for the UN mission responsible for organizing a referendum in the territory.

In his latest report to the Council on the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), the Secretary-General proposes a new settlement option, which he recommends that the 15-member body approve. The peace plan was developed by his Personal Envoy James Baker.

Mr. Annan says the plan - which combines elements of the draft framework agreement and agreed elements of the settlement plan - "is fair and balanced and, following a transitional period of self-government, offers the bona fide residents of Western Sahara an opportunity to determine their future for themselves."

The draft framework favoured by Morocco, the territory's administering power, would confer on the population of Western Sahara the right to elect their own executive and legislative bodies and have exclusive competence over local governmental administration. Within five years, a referendum on the final status of the territory would be held. The long-proposed settlement plan, favoured by Algeria and the Frente Popular para la Liberación de Saguía el-Hamra y del Río de Oro (POLISARIO Front), calls for a referendum to allow the people of the Territory to choose between independence or integration with Morocco.

The new peace plan - representing something of a "compromise," Mr. Annan writes - provides each side some, but not all, of what it wants. It envisages a period of transition during which there would be a division of responsibilities between the parties before the holding of a referendum for self-determination. "And unlike the settlement plan," he adds, "the peace plan does not require the consent of both parties at each and every step of its implementation."

"After more than 11 years and an amount of assessed contributions close to $500 million, it should be acknowledged that the Security Council is not going to solve the problem of Western Sahara without asking that one or both of the parties do something they are not otherwise prepared to do," the Secretary-General writes.

The Council is set to discuss the report Wednesday afternoon.