§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they intend to support the framework agreement for the solution of the Western Sahara problem, granting autonomy of the territory and providing for a referendum in which Moroccan residents would be entitled to vote, irrespective of whether or not the agreement of the Frente Polisario can be obtained. [HL532]
§ Baroness AmosHer Majesty's Government supported UN Security Council Resolution 1359 which was passed unanimously on 29 June 2001. It extended the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 30 November 2001. This resolution reiterated full support for the ongoing efforts of MINURSO to implement the settlement plan and agreements adopted by the parties to hold a free, fair and impartial referendum for the self-determination of the people of the Western Sahara. It also confirmed full support for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General to invite all the parties to meet directly or through proximity talks, under the auspices of his personal envoy, James Baker, and encouraged the parties to discuss the draft framework agreement and negotiate any specific changes they would like to see in this proposal, as well as to discuss any other prosposal for a political solution, to arrive at a mutually acceptable agreement. Her Majesty's Government's objective is to assist the parties to achieve a just and lasting solution to the question of Western Sahara.