Vol. 412 No. 3
49 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give an assurance that all required pressure will be imposed on Morocco to ensure (1) that a fair and democratic referendum is held in the Western Sahara and (2) that Morocco co-operates fully with the United Nations peace plan.
On 29 April 1991, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 690 on the Western Sahara. It expressed full support for the Secretary-General's efforts for the organisation by the United Nations of a referendum for self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. The resolution called on the two parties, Morocco and the Polisario Front, to co-operate fully with the Secretary-General in the implementation of his plan and it decided to establish the United Nations Mission for the referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). The plan provides for the organisation of a free and fair referendum in which the people will choose between integration with Morocco and independence.
On 29 October, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on the question of the Western Sahara. Morocco supported the terms of the resolution and joined in its adoption by consensus. The resolution expressed full support for the efforts of the Secretary-General for the organisation and supervision by the United Nations of the 1992 referendum. The criteria for participation in that referendum are soon to be published by the United Nations. I have every confidence that the UN Secretary-General will discharge fully the mandate entrusted to him.
