HC Deb 14 February 2003 vol 400 cc55-6W
Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made concerning the referendum on the future of Western Sahara to(a) the Government of Morocco and (b) the United Nations; and if he will make a statement. [97509]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 22 January,Official Report, column 358W.

The Secretary General (UNSG) reported to the United Nations Security Council on the situation concerning Western Sahara in advance of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) mandate renewal. His personal envoy (PE), James Baker has presented a proposal to the parties to the dispute for a political solution, as requested by Security Council Resolution 1429 of 30 July 2002. His proposals have not been published.

Our position remains that we fully support the UN process and the efforts of the UNSG and PE to find a political solution to this dispute that provides for self-determination of the people of Western Sahara (as UNSCR 1429 of 30 July 2002). We supported the extension of MINURSO's mandate until 31 March 2003 as requested by the UNSG to give the parties time to consider the latest proposals.

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