Vol. 574 No. 3
62 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in relation to the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic; the timescale of the UN proposals; the present position in relation to prisoners being held and the right of access to them by the international agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26708/03]
Ireland is a long-standing supporter of the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination. 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 Saharawi refugees in Algeria. The Government played a prominent role in seeking a solution to the Western Sahara dispute during its term on the Security Council.
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. It also recommended the acceptance by all sides of the Baker plan II which 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 the proposals. Morocco continues to reject them.
