Vol. 577 No. 1
91 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's position on the implementation of the UN referendum to be held on the territory of the Sahara Arab Democratic Republic; if he will confirm Ireland's recognition of the right to independence of the Saharoui people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30476/03]
Ireland is a long standing supporter of the right of the Saharawi people to self determination. The Government played a prominent role in seeking a solution to the Western Sahara dispute during its term on the Security Council.
While a ceasefire has been in place for some time between the parties, the conflict in the Western Sahara has given rise to serious humanitarian issues which remain unresolved, including the situation of the Saharaoui refugees in Algeria and that of Moroccans held prisoner by Polisario for almost three decades as well as the fate of missing Saharaouis that has yet to be established.
On 31 July 2003 the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1495 which extended the mandate of the UN mission for the referendum in Western Sahara, MINURSO, until 31 October 2003. On 28 October 2003 the Security Council adopted Resolution 1513, authorising a technical rollover of the MINURSO mandate until 31 January 2004.
Resolution 1495 also recommended the acceptance by all sides of the Baker II plan which has been drawn up by Mr. James A Baker, the personal envoy of the UN Secretary General, and formally presented by the Secretary General to the Security Council for its endorsement on 23 May 2003. The Baker II plan proposes a transitional period of four to five years during which Western Sahara would be self governing under Moroccan sovereignty. A Western Sahara authority, WSA, under a chief executive would be responsible for local government, internal security, law enforcement, the economy, welfare and education, while Morocco would be responsible for foreign relations, national security and defence. At the end of five years a referendum would be held giving residents a choice between independence, integration with Morocco or continued autonomy.
Algeria and the Polisario front have indicated their willingness to explore these proposals. Morocco continues to reject them. United Nations efforts continue with the strong support of the Government.
