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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Feb 1992

Vol. 415 No. 4

Written Answers. - Western Sahara Elections.

Nora Owen

Question:

76 Mr. Owen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the status of the United Nations plan of action for elections in the Moroccan-held region of Northern Africa known as the Western Sahara; and the action, if any, the EC is taking to assist in monitoring this election.

The United Nations plan for elections in the Western Sahara provided for a ceasefire to mark the beginning of a transitional period during which the United Nations would organise and conduct a referndum in the Western Sahara in order to enable the people there to choose between independence and integration with Morocco. The ceasefire entered into force on 6 September 1991 and the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara, known as MINURSO, has been established in the territory.

It has not yet proved possible to secure agreement between the parties on the criteria to be applied in establishing the lists of those who will be entitled to vote in the referendum. The former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Perez de Cuellar, reported to the Security Council on 19 December 1991 that there is likely to be a delay of some months while consultations continue with the parties in order to establish the necessary conditions for implementing the United Nations plan. The Security Council adopted resolution 725 on 31 December 1991, welcoming the report of the outgoing Secretary-General, and requesting the new Secretary-General, Mr. Boutros Ghali, to submit a further report within two months.

The EC has decalred its firm support for the efforts of the Secretary-General to implement the United Nations plan. Several of the member states of the European Community — Ireland, France, Italy, Greece and the UK — and contributing personnel to MINURSO. They will be assisting in the organisaton and the monitoring of the referndum. Ireland already has six Army officers serving with MINURSO and will have fifteen Army officers and fifteen gardaí serving with the force when it reaches its full strength.

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