§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the United Nations settlement plan for the western Sahara; and if he will make a statement. [134188]
§ Mr. HainWe have given full support to UN efforts to achieve a just and durable peace in the western Sahara and continue to believe that a just solution depends on the Saharawi people having their say at the ballot box.
147WThe UN has said that both parties to the dispute, Morocco and the Polisario Front, have been responsible for delays in implementing the UN Settlement Plan, and principally over who should be allowed to vote in a referendum on the future of the territory. The UN has concluded that these differences could prevent a referendum being held before 2002 or even beyond. There has only been limited progress on other key aspects to the plan, such as prisoners of war and refugee repatriation.
The Settlement Plan also lacks an enforcement mechanism. The UN Secretary-General has said that he does not expect one will be forthcoming. With this in mind, we believe that the Secretary-General was right to ask his Personal Envoy—James Baker—to explore the possibility of finding a mutually acceptable way forward, Mr. Baker has a broad mandate from the Security Council to look at all options. He has our full support. We provided him with two venues in London earlier this year to conduct high-level talks between the parties. We urge all sides to co-operate fully with his mission.