Morocco King Rejects Referendum in Western Sahara

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, November 07, 2002

Morocco King Rejects Referendum in Western Sahara

Morocco's king on Wednesday rejected a UN plan to resolve a decades-long, bloody dispute over a territory his country claims.

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Morocco's king on Wednesday rejected a UN plan to resolve a decades-long, bloody dispute over a territory his country claims.

King Mohammed VI said the call for a referendum in Western Sahara to determine whether the people want independence is "null" and "inapplicable," his first public dismissal of the plan first put forward in 1991.

Moroccans marched into the mineral-rich territory known then as Spanish Sahara in 1975, annexing it to their country. That set off a rebellion by Polisario Front guerrillas, demanding independence.

In mediation efforts that included former Secretary of State James Baker, the UN came up with the referendum plan, resulting in a cease-fire. But the two sides could not even agree over who was eligible to take part, and the vote was never held.

The king, speaking on the 27th anniversary of the march, said the territory could be granted autonomy but should belong to Morocco, noting that France supports that solution. France, a former colonial power, still wields significant influence in North Africa.

The next attempt to resolve the dispute may come from Africa, not the UN.

South African President Thabo Mbeki might use his influence as chairman of the African Union to try to mediate, a South African official said.

However, Morocco refuses to join the newly formed African Union, because it recognizes Western Sahara's independence.

Source: Agencies

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