Vol. 413 No. 5
58 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the assistance which is being given to the United Nations in the context of its sponsorship of a referendum on the Western Sahara which is in conflict between the Saharawi people and King Hassan of Morocco.
On 29 April 1991 the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 690 establishing the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) with the task of assisting the UN Secretary General's Special Representative in organising and conducting the referendum due to be held there early next year. The referendum will enable the Saharawi people to choose between independence and integration of the territory with Morocco.
Ireland is one of the countries which has been asked by the United Nations to contribute personnel to MINURSO. The Government agreed to do so and 15 Army officers and 15 Garda officers will be participating when the full complement of MINURSO personnel is in place. The ceasefire came into effect on 6 September and MINURSO contingents, including six Irish Army officers, took up duty at that time.
