EU boats must stop fishing off W.Sahara--Polisario

LONDON, The Western Sahara independence movement Polisario said on Thursday the European Union must stop boats fishing off the disputed territory's coast and announced a legal framework to back up its claim to the area's resources.

Morocco annexed Western Sahara in 1975 after Spanish colonial forces withdrew, sparking a low-level guerrilla war with Polisario that ended in 1991 when the United Nations brokered an uneasy ceasefire.

The territorial dispute is still unresolved but Morocco has poured money into defending the majority of Western Sahara it controls, developed its mineral resources and fisheries and awarded oil exploration permits to foreign firms.

Polisario has long accused Morocco of illegally exploiting Western Sahara's wealth and put pressure on foreign companies working with Morocco in the territory to cease their activities.

Morocco says ancestral rights justify its presence in the territory and that most Sahrawis consider themselves Moroccan.

On Thursday Polisario said its would-be government -- the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) -- had created a 200- mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) giving it exclusive rights over the area's offshore oil and gas and fisheries.

"The EEZ also provides the legal framework for the SADR's offshore licensing regime, which is currently receiving international bids for offshore oil and gas exploration activities," it said in a statement.

SADR President Mohammed Abdelaziz called on foreign governments and companies to reconsider agreements with Morocco that do not explicitly exclude Western Sahara.

"In particular we call upon the European Union to suspend immediately the 2005 EU-Morocco Fisheries Agreement in its current form, and to prevent EU vessels from encroaching upon the waters of Western Sahara," he said in the statement.

The U.N. has overseen four rounds of slow-moving talks to resolve what is Africa's longest-running territorial dispute but analysts say neither Morocco nor Polisario is willing to concede enough ground to allow for meaningful negotiations. (Editing by Tim Pearce)

VENEZUELA DIZ QUE MOTIVOS DE MARROCOS PARA FECHAR EMBAIXADA SÃO 'FALSOS'

CARACAS, O governo da Venezuela classificou nesta quarta-feira como "falsas e tendenciosas" as razões que levaram o Marrocos a fechar sua embaixada em Caracas, na semana passada.

O governo marroquino notificou o fim de sua missão diplomática na Venezuela em resposta ao que chamou de "crescente hostilidade" do país em relação à "integridade territorial", uma vez que Caracas reconhece a autonomia da República Árabe Saharaui Democrática, anexada ao Marrocos desde 1979.
Segundo o vice-chanceler venezuelano para a África, Reinaldo Bolívar, o governo do Marrocos tem o direito de fechar sua embaixada, mas "as desculpas dadas são falsas e tendenciosas".

Bolívar considerou ainda "mal-intencionadas" as afirmações de Rabat contra a Venezuela, acusada de participar em campanhas bélicas contra o Marrocos, segundo informações da agência estatal ABN.

O vice-chanceler explicou que a Venezuela reconhece a República Saharaui desde 1983 e, desde 1987, dialoga com a região através de sua embaixada na Argélia.

"Notre soutien à la cause sahraouie découle de nos valeurs et principes en faveur des luttes pour la liberté", (député)

Abuja, Le président de la Commission de Affaires Africaines au Parlement Nigérien (House of Representatives) Monsieur Ogunewe Independence a estimé que "la position de la République Fédérale du Nigéria en faveur de la lutte et droits inaliénables du peuple sahraoui, découle de nos valeurs et principes de soutien aux luttes pour la liberté et droits de l’homme en Afrique et ailleurs", a-t-on appris de source proche de l’ambassade sahraouie à Abuja.

Le responsable nigérien, qui recevait mercredi l’ambassadeur Oubi Bouchraya Bachir au siège du Parlement Fédéral Nigérien, a ainsi affirmé que la décolonisation du Sahara Occidental "doit respecter la Charte de l’Union africaine, les frontières héritées du colonialisme et le droit inaliénable à l’autodétermination" des peuples colonisés.

M. Oubi Bouchraya a exprimé à son interlocuteur la gratitude et les remerciements, du peuple et du Parlement sahraoui pour "l’honorable position du Nigeria à l’égard de la lutte et du combat du peuple du Sahara Occidental pour la liberté et l’indépendance", a-t-il souligné.

En recevant un message verbal de la part du Parlement sahraoui, M. Ogunewe Independence a affirmé l’engagement de "l’institution législative nigérienne et tout particulièrement la commission pour l’Afrique, à mobiliser aux niveaux des forums nationaux et continentaux pour faire entendre la voix des Sahraouis".

Déclaration d’une zone économique exclusive (ZEE) au Sahara Occidental

Chahid El Hafed,"La délimitation par la RASD de ses zones maritimes et sa déclaration d’une zone économique exclusive (ZEE), est une affirmation du droit inaliénable du peuple sahraoui à l’autodétermination et à la souveraineté permanente sur leurs ressources naturelles", a indiqué, M. Mohamed Abdelaziz, Secrétaire général du Front POLISARIO et Président de la RASD à SPS, à la suite de l’adoption par le Conseil National Sahraoui (Parlement) d’une loi établissant les zones maritimes de la RASD.

Le Président de la République a souligné que la déclaration d’une zone économique exclusive "est également une expression de la volonté du peuple sahraoui de persister pour achever la pleine souveraineté de son Etat", ajoutant que "cette décision vient soutenir le régime d’octroi de licences par la RASD qui reçoit actuellement des soumissions pour la prospection du pétrole et du gaz dans les eaux territoriales sahraouies".

M. Abdelaziz a attiré l’attention au fait que "toutes les activités actuelles d’exploitation des ressources naturelles dans la zone économique exclusive sahraouie sont en violation des droits souverains et exclusifs de la RASD conformément au droit international et à la Convention des Nations Unies sur le Droit de la Mer".

A cet égard, le Président de la République, a rappelé que la RASD demande instamment à toutes les parties, les organismes internationaux, les Gouvernements, les entités du secteur privé de réviser immédiatement les accords avec le Maroc qui n’excluent pas, de manière explicite, le territoire de la RASD et ses zones maritimes comprenant la zone économique exclusive.

En particulier, la RASD appelle l’Union Européenne à veiller à ce que les eaux territoriales sahraouies y compris la zone économique exclusive (ZEE) soient explicitement exclues de son accord de pêche avec le Maroc. "Il est très préoccupant pour la RASD que l’Union Européenne n’a pas jusqu’ici donné une clarification publique sur cette question à la différance du Gouvernement des Etats-Unis qui a officiellement déclaré, en 2004, que le Sahara Occidental n’a pas été inclus dans son accord de libre-échange avec le Royaume du Maroc", a ajouté M. Abdelaziz

S’agissant des limites maritimes de la RASD à la lumière de la déclaration de la ZEE, M. Abdelaziz a rappelé le droit de la RASD à cette zone en vertu du droit international et a souligné que l’article 11 de la législation adoptée par le parlement sahraoui stipule que "lorsque les droits maritimes de la RASD chevauchent avec les droits maritimes des Etats voisins, la RASD peut négocier y compris des accords avec les pays concernés sur la délimitation des frontières maritimes".

Enfin, le Président a réaffirmé à l’occasion de l’adoption de cette législation, que le Front POLISARIO demeure pleinement engagé et déterminé en faveur du processus de négociations sous l’égide de l’ONU, soulignant que le Front POLISARIO avait accueilli avec satisfaction la décision du Secrétaire général de l’ONU de désigner M. Christoper Ross comme son nouvel envoyé personnel pour le Sahara Occidental et attend, avec intérêt, de travailler avec lui pour parachever les efforts de l’ONU visant à la décolonisation du Sahara Occidental.

Le Conseil national sahraoui (Parlement) adopte une loi délimitant la Zone économique exclusive (ZEE)

Chahid El Hafed, Le Conseil national sahraoui (Parlement) a adopté dans la soirée du mercredi, une loi délimitant la Zone économique exclusive et les zones maritimes de la RASD.

"Cette législation adoptée par le parlement sahraoui, stipule que lorsque les droits maritimes de la RASD chevauchent avec les droits maritimes des Etats voisins, la République sahraouie peut négocier y compris des accords avec les pays concernés sur la délimitation des frontières maritime", a précisé la nouvelle loi adopte par le CNS.

La Zone économique exclusive est d’une largeur maximale de 200 milles (370 kms) au delà des lignes de base. L’Etat côtier dispose de "droits souverains aux fins d’exploration et d’exploitation, de conservation et de gestion des ressources naturelles, des eaux sur jacentes aux fonds marins, des fonds marins et de leur sous-sol", a ajouté la même source.

L’Etat côtier peut donc réglementer l’activité de pêche, notamment fixer le volume admissible des captures, a-t-on souligné.

Barack Obama à la Maison-Blanche : l'espoir pour un règlement juste de la question sahraouie

Alger,L'investiture mardi du président Barack Obama à la présidence des Etats-Unis ouvre une perspective pour les peuples colonisés, à l'image du peuple du Sahara occidental, de voir leurs causes aboutir à un règlement conforme au droit international, a rapporté l’Agence de presse algérienne, APS.

L'espoir que suscite l'accession du président Obama à la tête de la première puissance mondiale, auprès des mouvements indépendantistes, émane de ses engagements électoraux de favoriser le dialogue pour résoudre les conflits qui s'observent de par le monde.

Cette profession de foi a été récemment réitérée par son principal conseiller, David Axelrod, pour qui le président élu des Etats-Unis, Barack Obama, allait engager "rapidement" des efforts diplomatiques "intenses" dans le monde.

Déjà, à un mois de l'élection américaine, la directrice juridique de la Fondation Robert F. Kennedy Memorial, Mme Marselha Goncalves Margerin, qui remettait un prix annuel à la militante sahraouie des droits de l'homme Aminetou Haidar, annonçait à New York qu'elle mettrait son "influence au service de la lutte du peuple sahraoui pour l'autodétermination, pour la faire connaître aux Etats-Unis, notamment au Congrès".

Mme Margerin qui relevait le manque d'une "volonté politique pour résoudre cette question", estimait cependant "le moment propice" pour une avancée de la question sahraouie, notamment aux Etats-Unis, "surtout si le candidat démocrate Barack Obama remporte l'élection présidentielle".

L'élection du premier président noir américain avait été aussitôt accueillie avec "grande satisfaction" par les autorités sahraouies, qui tablaient sur ses promesses de changement de la politique extérieure des Etats-Unis. Ainsi, le président sahraoui, M. Mohamed Abdelaziz, affichait son "optimisme" quant à un règlement du conflit du Sahara occidental avec l'avènement du nouveau président américain.

"Nous avons l'impression que, durant la présidence de Barack Obama, l'indépendance du Sahara occidental sera reconnue enfin, et ce pays fera son entrée au sein des Nations unies", a-t-il dit. "Je le dis pour plusieurs raisons. D'abord, parce que l'Administration du nouveau président se distinguera par son respect du droit international et, dans ce cas précis, du droit à l'autodétermination reconnu par l'ONU", a-t-il expliqué.

Le chef de l'Etat sahraoui a ajouté que la deuxième raison de son optimisme réside dans le grand intérêt que porte le président Obama au respect des droits de l'homme, à l'Afrique et aux institutions continentales, comme l'Union africaine ou le Parlement africain où nous sommes représentés".

Ce point de vue se trouve partagé par le président du gouvernement espagnol, José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, qui rendu hommage à Obama, lors de la victoire, pour sa "capacité d'écoute et pour son invitation au dialogue" face aux conflits mondiaux", mais aussi pour son "pari sur le multilatéralisme, le droit international, les droits de l'Homme".

A cet égard, il y a lieu de rappeler que la 34ème Conférence européenne de la coordination européenne pour la solidarité avec le peuple sahraoui, réunie en novembre à Valence (Espagne) avait saisi par écrit le président américain, l'appelant à "promouvoir" au sein de la communauté des nations, "la recherche de solutions effectives permettant au peuple sahraoui d'exercer librement son droit à décider de son propre destin".

L'autre motif d'espoir pour le peuple sahraoui réside dans la nomination début janvier, du diplomate américain Christopher Ross, en tant qu'envoyé personnel du secrétaire général des Nations unies au Sahara occidental.

M. Ross a mené une "longue et remarquable" carrière au sein du département d'Etat américain, notamment durant la gouvernance des démocrates aux Etats-Unis, où il s'est spécialisé dans les questions concernant les régions du Moyen-Orient et d'Afrique du Nord.

Le Front Polisario qui a salué cette nomination, a néanmoins, déploré que le Maroc avait tenté de la bloquer. Il a assuré le nouveau médiateur onusien de sa "coopération" et de "toute
l'aide nécessaire" en vue de mener à son terme le processus de décolonisation
du Sahara occidental conformément aux résolutions des Nations unies.

Cette nomination, également saluée par l'Espagne, représente un "pas en avant vers une solution politique juste, durable et mutuellement acceptable dans le respect du principe d'autodétermination", mais aussi par la France, qui y voyait une opportunité pour les deux parties d'"entrer dans une phase plus substantielle des négociations".

"Malgré tout Dakhla existe...", ou les chroniques d’un campement sahraoui (Fiche de lecture)

Paris, "Malgré tout Dakhla existe…" est le titre de l’ouvrage que vient de publier dernièrement Elisabeth Peltier aux éditions L’Harmattan.

L’ouvrage de 230 pages est une chronique du campement des réfugiés sahraouis de Dakhla, narrée par cette femme, éducatrice de formation, qui s’est retrouvée engagée sur le terrain sahraoui, en prenant en charge un programme initié par l’ONG française "Enfants réfugiés du monde", visant la mise en place d’une réflexion pédagogique avec des enseignants de ce camp.

De décembre 2000 à juin 2008, Elisabeth Peltier n’a pas cessé de faire des va-et-vient entre la France et les camps de réfugiés sahraouis, allant à la rencontre de ce peuple debout aspirant à un avenir prospère, malgré les conditions de vie difficiles.

Fin 2000, l’auteur débarque à Dakhla, "un lieu que je n’ai pu repérer sur aucune carte géographique, en plein désert du Sahara, j’ignore tout", écrit-elle dès les premières lignes de l’ouvrage. Elle découvre une réalité et un peuple. Ses premières impressions dépassent l’inattendu:

"Je pensais rencontrer la misère, je rencontre le dénuement et dans le même temps, cette vie, ces vies porteuses de projets dans ce désert d’un autre monde". L’auteur expliquera l’importance de cette rencontre qui sera déterminante dans son choix de vie en épousant la cause sahraouie et en devenant la porte-parole de ce peuple qui lui a donné une véritable leçon d’humanité, d’humilité et de volonté indéfectible à croire en l’indépendance de son pays et au retour à sa terre, un jour libérée de l’occupation marocaine.

"Quand j’ai rencontré les sahraouis, j’ai retrouvé chez ces hommes et ces femmes le même rire malgré la souffrance de l’exil sur cette terre inhospitalière, la même volonté à rester debout malgré la paralysie du monde à leur égard. La même vision au-delà des apparences sur la capacité de l’être humain à dépasser l’intolérable", écrit-elle.

Le lecteur suivra les pérégrinations de cette femme à travers la Hamada, ses contacts, ses rencontres avec des personnes formidables qui accomplissent humblement et simplement leurs tâches quotidiennes, contribuant à la mise en place d’un système d’organisation moderne du futur Etat tant espéré. Chaque jour est un combat constamment renouvelé contre la dureté d’un environnement inespéré, les vicissitudes d’un quotidien fait de privations et de manques difficile à vivre.

Malgré tous ces aléas, l’optimisme, l’assurance et l’espoir en de lendemains meilleurs sont là. Tous ces sentiments sont bien mis en exergue par Elisabeth Peltier qui brosse une galerie de portraits de femmes et d’hommes, anonymes ou responsables, qui parle de leur travail, de leurs rêves et de leurs aspirations.

Les multiples séjours de l’auteur ont inexorablement forgé en elle une vision autre que celle dominant l’opinion française et internationale.

"A celui qui s’étonne de ne pas vous voir misérables tels que les médias nous abreuvent de ces clichés sordides des camps de réfugiés à travers le monde, à celui qui pense que chacun doit rester à sa place, qu’un réfugié doit donner une image de réfugié pauvre et pitoyable frappant notre bonne conscience, je réponds que 33 ans sont passés et que nous sommes face à un peuple déterminé, avide de vivre comme nous, de faire partie de notre monde. Ce long temps d’attente n’a pas fragilisé ce peuple mais l’a consolidé".


Elisabeth Peltier est toute reconnaissante envers ce peuple qui lui a permis de "grandir encore davantage" et de "croire en la capacité de l’homme de se tenir droit malgré les bourrasques de la vie".

Le sociologue Ali Omar Yara écrit dans la préface de l’ouvrage : "les récits objets de cet ouvrage témoignent d’une autre réalité, dans laquelle les sahraouis révèlent leur aptitude à gérer par eux-mêmes leur situation précaire.

Ainsi, les journaux de missions inédits d’Elisabeth Peltier, sont loin d’être de simples rapports techniques. Ils témoignent d’une volonté émergente dans les camps sahraouis de se prendre en charge et des acquis de cette démarche".

"L’auteur assimile son champ d’observation et de témoignage, les camps de réfugiés de la Hamada, à un laboratoire social unique au monde. Celui-ci est un lieu d’une lutte au quotidien des sahraouis qui ne veulent pas accepter l’inacceptable, c'est-à-dire la soumission à un ordre politique occupant illégalement leur territoire", ajoute-t-il. (SPS)

Les représentants de la société civile algérienne et malienne conviennent d'actions de sensibilisation sur la cause sahraouie

Alger, Les représentants de la société civile algérienne et malienne, dans toutes leurs composantes, ont convenu de mener des actions de sensibilisation en Afrique et dans le monde sur la cause sahraouie et de saisir les instances internationales sur la nécessité du "strict respect" des résolutions des Nations unies sur le droit du peuple sahraoui à l'autodétermination.

Cette initiative intervient suite à une visite effectuée par le Comité national algérien de solidarité avec le peuple sahraoui (CNASPS) au Mali, du 13 au 17 janvier, lors de laquelle le président du comité, M. Mohamed Mahrez Lamari, a rencontré notamment les représentants des partis politiques maliens, des groupes parlementaires et de la société civile.

Ainsi, les représentants de la société civile des deux pays ont convenu de mener une "mission de sensibilisation" au sein des sociétés civiles africaines et auprès de l'opinion publique internationale sur les conditions difficiles dans lesquelles vivent les réfugiés sahraouis hors de leur territoire, indique un communiqué du CNASPS.

Ils se sont déclarés "mobilisés, plus que par le passé, pour unir les efforts et développer un appui multiforme et performant au bénéfice de la cause sahraouie".

"La partie malienne a, d'une façon unanime, réaffirmé sa disposition totale en vue de créer prochainement un groupe interparlementaire d'amitié malien avec la République arabe sahraouie démocratique (RASD) ainsi qu'une structure nationale opérationnelle efficace et dynamique de coordination des actions de soutien et de solidarité avec le peuple du Sahara occidental", souligne-t-on de même source.

Les deux parties ont également décidé de saisir par écrit le secrétaire général des Nations unies, les membres du Conseil de sécurité, le président de l'Union européenne, le président du Conseil de l'Europe, le président de l'Union africaine et l'envoyé personnel du secrétaire général de l'Onu pour agir en faveur du "strict respect" des résolutions des Nations unies stipulant l'organisation d'un référendum d'autodétermination libre et régulier au Sahara occidental.

Il est aussi demandé à ces instances d'agir pour "l'arrêt des violations des droits de l'homme dans les territoires sahraouis occupés" et la "garantie du libre accès des médias et des observateurs indépendants aux territoires occupés du Sahara occidental".

Les deux parties ont en outre déploré que le Maroc reste "insensible aux appels de la communauté internationale" en poursuivant sa "politique d'occupation, d'exploitation illégale des richesses et de répression et de violations systématiques des droits de l'homme dans les territoires occupés".

Une activiste sahraouie dévoile les ''abus'' commis par le Maroc contre les militants sahraouis

Estrémadure (Sud-ouest de l’Espagne), L'activiste sahraouie, Sultana Khaya a exposé lundi, à la déléguée du gouvernement d'Estrémadure, Carmen Pereira, l'histoire d'abus et d'humiliation "infligés par le Maroc contre ceux qui prônent le droit à un référendum libre sur le futur statut du Sahara occidental", a indiqué Europa press.

Selon un communiqué remis le même jour à la délégation du Gouvernement à l’issue de l’entretien de Khaya avec Pereira à Badajoz, l'activiste a dit "comment elle a été torturée et violée par la police marocaine, dans la ville de Marrakech, pendant plus d’un an. Elle a également cité les "coups" qu'elle a subis au cours d'une arrestation et qui lui a coûté la perte de son œil droit.

La visite de l’activiste, Sultana Khaya au Gouvernement d'Estrémadure intervient dans le cadre de sa tournée de quelques jours dans cette région pour sensibiliser la société civile de cette région espagnole, à travers ses témoignages, autour des "difficultés" dont souffrent les militants, les activistes sahraouis dans les territoires occupés du Sahara occidental, leurs familles et les manifestants qui "luttent pour le peuple sahraoui".

L’entretien a été assisté par le directeur du Centre pour les droits de l'homme de Badajoz, José Manuel de la Fuente Serrano, accompagné par le coopérant de l'observatoire, Ramon Rocha.

Lors de la réunion avec la déléguée, De la Fuente Serrano Pereira a remis un rapport élaboré par une mission ayant visité le Maroc entre janvier et mars 2008. Ce rapport constate "les violation des droits humains" au Sahara occidental et a recueilli les témoignages des militants, des familles des prisonniers politiques et des manifestants sahraouis, a-t-on indiqué de même source.

Western Sahara Campaign UK supports UPES for the release of Mustapha Abd Daiem

Western Sahara Campaign UK supports UPES for the release of Mustapha Abd Daiem The Western Sahara Campaign UK (WSC-UK) sent a letter, yesterday, to the Saharawi Journalists’ and Writers’ Union (UPES) affirming support to the campaign run by the union for the release of Mustapha Abd Daiem. Mustapha Abd Daiem, journalist and short-stories writer member of UPES, was arrested on October 2008, sentenced to 3 years imprisonment and more than 6000 fine in addition to 10 years ban from public employment, because of his political opinion and support to the independence of Western Sahara. UPES initiated a campaign in favor of the release of the prisoner of conscience, sent an open letter to international human rights organizations, and so far received a clear reaction and support from Amnesty International, Japanese Journalists for Western Sahara and the Western Sahara Campaign UK. Here is the letter UPES received from Mr. John Gurr, Coordinator WSC-UK on the subject: ----------------- 17 January 2009 Mr. Malainin Lakhal General Secretary UPES Saharawi Refugee camps Dear Malainin, The Western Sahara Campaign UK would like to express its support for your campaign for Mustapha Abd Daiem. We are aware that Mustafa Abd Daiem, human rights activist, journalist and member of the Assa-Zag Branch of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights and the Sahrawi Journalists’ and Writers’ Union is currently serving a 3 year prison sentence in Ait Meloul prison in Morocco, having been transferred there from Inzegan prison. We understand his trial did not meet international standards and believe he was sentenced following an unfair trial. Mustapha was sentenced for offending the flag of the Kingdom of Morocco, rebelling and inciting an armed gathering, participating in the destruction of public property and participating in the contempt of public officials on duty. For this he was sentenced on the 4 November 2008 to 3 years imprisonment, a 50.000 Moroccan dr fine and a 10 year ban from public employment by the Moroccan colonial court. We believe Mustapha’s trial did not meet international legal standards. We are aware that Mustapha claims his trial was based on falsified statements made when he was in custody, and he was denied his right to be defended by legal counsel. Furthermore we understand that none of his lawyers were summoned to the appeal hearings. We feel it is likely that Mustapha’s treatment is in response to his belief in Saharawi independence and support for the POLISARIO Front. The campaign is aware of other examples of unfair trials and is greatly concerned about the human rights situation in the occupied territory of Western Sahara. We know that human rights abuses including torture, restriction of freedom of expression and unfair trials are not uncommon, and serve as punishment for those Saharawis who publicly express opposition to the Moroccan occupation. For these reasons The Western Sahara Campaign supports the campaign run by UPES for the release of Mustapha Abd Daiem. Yours sincerely John Gurr, Coordinator WSC UK Manora Cwmystwyth Aberystwyth SY23 4AF 01974 282575 email: coordinator@wsahara.org.uk

---

Palestine: Still The Issue

Background to the Conflict


1947 The British refer the 'Palestine problem' to the United Nations, which passes a resolution for the partition of Palestine.

1948 The state of Israel is declared. The result is the first Arab-Israeli war, which lasts from May until January 1949.

1964 Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) is founded with the aim of liberating the whole of Palestine.

1967 The Six Day War. Israel occupies the Sinai Peninsula (belonging to Egypt), the West Bank (belonging to Jordan) and the Golan Heights (belonging to Syria).

1979 The Camp David Accords. Egypt signs a peace treaty with Israel, the first Arab nation to do so. Israel withdraws from Sinai but continues its occupation of Gaza.

1982 Israel invades Lebanon under the command of Ariel Sharon with the aim of destroying the PLO. Thousands of civilians are killed during the operation and the PLO flees Lebanon, spreading across the Arab world.

Late 1987/8 The first intifada begins in the West Bank and Gaza. The situation appears outside of the control of the PLO and the Islamic fundamentalist group Hamas (which was for a time funded by Israel) begins to emerge as an important player.

1991 The Gulf War. The PLO backs Saddam Hussein, which results in the withdrawal of its support and funding by Arab governments.

1992 As a result of its newfound isolation and financial hardship, the PLO is forced to begin negotiations with Israel, which lead eventually to the Oslo Peace Agreement.

1994 The Oslo Peace Agreement is signed. The deal sees the PLO return to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in the form of the Palestinian Authority (PA). It is the first peace deal between the PLO and Israel. However, the agreement leaves all Final Status issues unresolved. These are:

- The return of Palestinian refugees from 1948 to their homes
- Where the borders of the Palestinian state will lie
- The status of Jerusalem
- The status of Israeli settlements on Gaza and the West Bank

A deadline 1999 is set for the resolution of Final Status issues.


1994 Israeli troops withdraw to the edges of major Palestinian population centres, to be replaced by the Palestinian police force. The result is increased poverty and authoritarian rule administered jointly by the PA and Israel.

1999 The deadline for resolution of Final Status issues passes. There has been no change in the situation, except for increased poverty in Palestinian areas and the massive growth of Israeli settlements, which have doubled in number between 1992-99.
The lack of a political solution results in increased tension and outbursts of violence between Israeli troops and Palestinian stone-throwers.

2000 Bill Clinton, attempting to establish a legacy for himself during the last days of his presidency, calls a conference at Camp David. Negotiations break down and delegates return to the Middle East with tension increased still further.

2000 Ariel Sharon - who was found responsible for the massacre of hundreds of Palestinians in Lebanon in 1982 - decides, for internal Israeli political reasons, to visit Haram Al-Sharif, which is Islam's third holiest site and the holiest site in Judaism. During his visit, Sharon is surrounded by 1,000 Israeli Police officers.

The following day Palestinian stone-throwers begin protests in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. The violence is triggered by Sharon's visit to Haram Al-Sharif, but is ultimately a function of the frustration and anger caused by the lack of progress towards a political solution for the Palestinians.

The Israeli military responds to the violence by shooting dead dozens of Palestinians during the ensuing months, with the final death toll during this outbreak of disturbances being in the hundreds.

2001 Ariel Sharon is elected Israeli Prime Minister, and the level of violence in the region is ratcheted up still further. Palestinian bombs are matched by invasions of Palestinian cities by Israeli tanks, bombings by planes and raids by helicopter gunships. The results for Palestinians are unparalleled poverty, mass joblessness and the placing of two million people under curfew.

La NNHRC regrette le retard de l’ONU pour "la surveillance et de protection des droits de l'Homme au Sahara occidental"

Abuja, La directrice exécutive de la Commission Nigérienne de Droits Humains (NNHRC), Mme. K. F. Ajoni a vivement regretté que l’ONU et sa Mission au Sahara Occidental "n’aient pas assumé, jusqu’à présent, leur responsabilité juridique et morale à l’égard du peuple sahraoui par la mise en place des mécanismes internationaux de surveillance et de protection des droits de l'Homme au Sahara occidental".

Mme Ajoni qui recevait, vendredi, au siège du NNHCR l’ambassadeur sahraoui au Nigeria M. Oubi Bachir, a exprimé "la grande préoccupation" de son organisation à l'égard de "la situation alarmante des droits de l'Homme qui prévaut dans les territoires occupés du Sahara Occidental par le Maroc et qui est corroborée par de nombreux rapports internationaux que nous accueillons régulièrement" a-t-elle souligné, ajoutant que "les recommandations formulées par le dernier rapport de Human Rights Watch doivent être prises en considération par le nouveau médiateur de l’ONU au Sahara Occidental".

Dans son exposé devant les principaux responsables de la Commission Nigérienne de Droits Humais (NNHRC), l’ambassadeur sahraoui a invité "toutes les organisations nigériennes ainsi que les médias à se rendre dans le territoire du Sahara Occidental pour dévoiler la vérité au monde et briser le black out imposé à ce territoire depuis plus de trois décennies".

Le diplomate sahraoui a averti que "tout retard peut précipiter la région dans une situation aussi dangereuse qu'incontrôlable", estimant "la situation des droits de l'Homme dans les territoires occupés par le Maroc est tellement grave qu'il n'est plus possible d'attendre une solution politique du conflit".

La Commission Nationale des Droits de l’Homme du Nigéria (NNHRC) mise en place en 1995,.est la structure nationale qui veille pour le respect et la promotion des droits de l’homme au Nigeria, rappelle-t-on.

La fermeture de l’ambassade marocaine à Caracas est une "mesure punitive" pour la position du Venezuela en faveur de la Palestine (Gouvernement)

Bir Lehlu (territoires libérés), Le ministère de l'information de la RASD a estimé vendredi, la fermeture par le Maroc de son ambassade à Caracas, "de mesure punitive" contre le Venezuela en raison de sa position de l'offensive lancée par Israël contre le peuple palestinien dans la bande de Gaza, a indiqué un communiqué parvenu à SPS.

Cette décision "éhontée" entreprise par le Gouvernement marocain, comme une mesure punitive contre le Venezuela intervient en réaction à l'expulsion de l'ambassadeur d'Israël à la suite de l'agression contre le peuple palestinien frère dans la bande de Gaza et au soutien du Venezuela à la lutte des deux peuples, sahraoui et palestinien pour leur droit à l'autodétermination et l'indépendance, a ajouté le texte.

"Le Gouvernement marocain, à travers son agression et son génocide contre le peuple sahraoui depuis 1975, défie la conscience humaine et de la légitimité internationale, et aperçoit en l’agression d’Israël dans la bande de Gaza, un raisonnement à ce que commet le Maroc au Sahara occidental", a déploré la même source.

"Le peuple sahraoui et de son gouvernement saisissent cette occasion pour exprimer au peuple vénézuélien, et Son Excellence le président, Hugo Chavez, leur satisfaction et leur profond respect pour les positions de principe du Venezuela, appelant à permettre aux peuples, du Sahara occidental et de la Palestine d'exercer leur droit à l'autodétermination et l'indépendance," coclut le communiqué.

Secretary-General to appoint new Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Executive Representative for UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone

Biographical Note

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has informed the Security Council of his intention to appoint Christopher Ross of the United States as his Personal Envoy for Western Sahara and Michael von der Schulenburg of Germany as his Executive Representative for the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL). Mr.Ross will replace Peter van Walsum and Mr. von der Schulenburg will replace Victor Da Silva Angelo.

The Secretary-General is grateful to Mr. van Walsum for his dedicated service on the important issue of Western Sahara. The Secretary-General is also grateful to Mr. Da Silva Angelo, who currently serves as Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT), for his committed service in Sierra Leone.

Mr. Ross will work with the parties, and neighbouring countries based on the most recent Security Council resolution 1813 (2008) and previous resolutions, building on progress made to date, in pursuit of a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for the self-determination of the people ofWestern Sahara.

He takes up his new assignment following a long and distinguished career with the United States Department of State, where he focused especially on Middle Eastern and North African affairs. He is a former United States Ambassador to Syria and to Algeria, and was most recently Senior Adviser for the Middle East and North Africa at the United States Mission to the United Nations.

After retiring in 1999, Mr. Ross returned to active service to help coordinate United States public diplomacy towards the Arab and Muslim worlds (2001-2003). He then served as Senior Adviser to the United States Embassy in Baghdad (2004) and Special Adviser in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, working on Iraq. From 2006-2007, he was Senior Adviser to the United States Delegations to the General Assembly.

Mr. Ross's earlier postings in the United States Foreign Service include: Executive Assistant to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs; Director of Regional Affairs of the Bureau of Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs; Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d'Affaires in Algiers; Press Attaché in Beirut, Lebanon; and Director of the American Cultural Center in Fez,Morocco.

He holds a Bachelor's degree in Oriental (Near Eastern) studies from Princeton University, and a Master of Arts in international relations and Middle Eastern studies from Johns Hopkins University. He speaks English, Arabic and French, and has taught Arabic at Columbia and Princeton Universities.

Born on 3 March 1943, he has one son.

Secretary-General names two new senior UN envoys

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has informed the Security Council of his intention to appoint Christopher Ross of the United States as his Personal Envoy for Western Sahara and Michael von der Schulenburg as his Executive Representative for the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL).

Mr. Ross, who replaces Peter van Walsum, has had a long and distinguished career with the US State Department in which he focused on Middle Eastern and North African affairs.

A former US Ambassador to Syria and to Algeria, he was most recently Senior Adviser for the Middle East and North Africa at the US Mission to the UN.

"Mr. Ross will work with the parties and neighbouring countries based on the most recent Security Council Resolution 1813 and previous resolutions, building on progress made to date, in pursuit of a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara," UN spokesperson Michele Montas told reporters.

Several rounds of UN-led talks, bringing together representatives from Morocco and the Frente Polisario, held last year resulted in the parties agreeing to continue negotiations in good faith towards a solution to the issue.

Morocco holds that its sovereignty over Western Sahara should be recognized, while the Frente Polisario's position is that the Territory's final status should be decided in a referendum that includes independence as an option.

Mr. von der Schulenburg, who replaces Victor Da Silva Angelo, is currently Acting Executive Representative for the UN Office in Sierra Leone.

He brings with him a wide range of experience that covers virtually all aspects of UN activities from development assistance to humanitarian aid and managerial reforms, and from combating illicit drug trafficking to conflict resolution and political affairs.

His career with the UN includes assignments in Haiti, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq. Most recently, he served that as the Principal Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Political Affairs with the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq.

Sahrawi Republic protests Kosmos and Fugro engagements

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Sahrawi Arabic Democratic Republic sent 15 January 2009 a letter to Kosmos Energy demanding the company to terminates its operations in occupied Western Sahara. On 13 January 2009 a similar letter was sent to Dutch-Norwegian seismic survey company Fugro-Geoteam, which started its exploration for Kosmos in January.

15 January 2009

Mr. James C. Musselman
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Kosmos Energy, LLC
8401 N. Central Expressway
Suite 280
Dallas , Texas 75225

United States

Dear Mr. Musselman,

Further to my letter to you of 16 June 2006 regarding the signature by Kosmos Energy LLC (‘Kosmos’) of a Moroccan license purporting to authorize petroleum exploration in areas offshore of the territory of Western Sahara, I am writing again in response to news that a vessel operated by Fugro-Geoteam, a Norwegian-based unit of Dutch oil services group Fugro, has been engaged by Kosmos to conduct seismic surveys off the coast of Western Sahara.

As I noted in my previous letter to you – to which I have yet to receive a response – these activities are in direct violation of international law. Morocco is not recognized by the UN as an administering power in Western Sahara, and therefore has no right to authorize or undertake activities related to the exploration and exploitation of the natural resources of Western Sahara.

The International Court of Justice confirmed in 1975 that there is no tie of territorial sovereignty between Western Sahara and the Kingdom of Morocco . Morocco ’s presence in the territory is the result of an illegal invasion in 1975 and the ensuing occupation. A string of UN Security Council resolutions has deplored the invasion, and called for Morocco to withdraw from the territory.

No country recognizes Morocco ’s sovereignty over any part of the territory of Western Sahara. On the contrary, more than seventy countries have recognized the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) as the sovereign authority over the territory of Western Sahara. The SADR was admitted as a member of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1982, and is a full founding member state of the African Union (AU).

At the request of the UN Security Council, the then-United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Legal Counsel, Mr Hans Corell, issued a legal opinion in January 2002 relating to the legality of actions taken by Moroccan authorities to enter into contracts with foreign entities for the exploration of mineral resources in Western Sahara . In the opinion, Mr Corell found that if

‘exploration and exploitation activities were to proceed in disregard of the interests and wishes of the interests and wishes of the people of Western Sahara, they would be in violation of the principles of international law applicable to mineral resource activities in Non-Self-Governing Territories’. (UN Document S/2006/161)

It has come to our attention that Kosmos Energy has engaged Fugro-Geoteam to conduct seismic data acquisition activities, and that those activities are currently underway. The SADR, as the recognized sovereign authority for Western Sahara , has jurisdiction over, as well as the exclusive right to regulate and authorize, marine scientific research within its territorial waters. It also has the discretion to withhold its consent for such activities where those activities have ‘direct significance’ for the exploration and exploitation of natural resources, both living and non-living.

To my knowledge, no attempt has been made by Kosmos Energy to contact, inform or seek authorization for the aforementioned seismic data acquisition activities from or by the SADR as the rightful sovereign authority and representative of the people of Western Sahara . If such efforts had been made, your company would be aware that its activities are in direct conflict with the rights granted by the SADR Petroleum Authority to other commercial interests pursuant to petroleum licenses entered into in 2005. Further information regarding these licenses is available at http://www.sadroilandgas.com.

Finally, I note the public commitment of Kosmos to carrying out its business according to the highest international business standards. This commitment is seriously jeopardized by ongoing activities in Western Sahara ’s waters. Over recent years, a number of companies operating in Western Sahara pursuant to commercial arrangements with the Kingdom of Morocco have withdrawn their operations. For example, French company Total withdrew in 2004, as did Kerr-McGee in 2006 following the decision by the Norwegian Government Petroleum Fund to divest its interests in the company. In doing so, the Fund noted that Kerr-McGee’s presence in Western Sahara constituted ‘a particularly serious violation of fundamental ethical norms’.

In light of the above, it is my responsibility to inform you that the Government of the SADR, including the SADR Petroleum Authority, reserves the right to use all available means, including legal avenues, to prevent and seek reparation in respect of any unauthorized activities relating to the natural resources of Western Sahara.

I look forward to your prompt response.

Yours faithfully,
Emhamed Khadad,

SADR Petroleum Authority
Advisor to the HE Mohamed Abdelaziz, President of the SADR.

Member of the Polisario leadership.

cc. Mr Hans Meyer
Managing Director
Fugro-Geoteam




14 January 2009

Mr. Hans Meyer
Managing director
Fugro-Geoteam
Hoffsveien 1C
N-0275 Oslo
Norway

Dear Mr. Meyer,

Seismic Acquisition in Western Sahara (SADR)

The Government of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) has learnt that Fugro-Geoteam is involved in seismic acquisition offshore our territory.

As you would be aware, Western Sahara is currently illegally occupied by Morocco . Western Sahara is formally classified by the United Nations as a ‘Non self-governing territory’, which means that it is still waiting for a process of decolonisation through a UN process.

After a long and bloody war that lasted 17 years Moroccan and the Saharawi independence movement agreed to a UN sponsored cease-fire 1991 as part of a Settlement Plan that should have culminated in referendum of self-determination in 1992. However, the referendum has not taken place yet due to Morocco ’s obstructions.

Morocco has not only obstructed the UN peace process and violated the UN resolutions and the agreements it signed with the Polisario Front but has also continuously abused human rights in the occupied Territories of Western Sahara according to recent Human Rights Watch Report of 19 December 2008: http://www.hrw.org/en/reports/2008/12/19/human-rights-western-sahara-and-tindouf-refugee-camps-0

The award of exploration licenses over the territorial waters of Western Sahara by Morocco has been condemned by the SADR as an illegal act aimed at legitimising Morocco’s illegal occupation of our country and plundering our resources. Such deals are unacceptable to the Saharawi people and are considered as highly provocative and indeed a violation of the current cease-fire arrangements. Furthermore, the involvement of foreign companies in Western Sahara is profoundly unethical and immoral because the deals are made with Morocco which is an absolute monarchy that has a bad human rights record and has been involved in acts of aggression against a neighbouring country.

In 2002, the Under-Secretary-General of Legal Affairs, Mr Hans Correll, issued a legal opinion to the Security Council on the matter in which he reaffirmed that Morocco has no sovereignty over Western Sahara . Mr Correll stated that if exploration and exploitation of the oil resources of the Territory “were to proceed in disregard of the interests and wishes of the people of Western Sahara, they would be in violation of the international law principles applicable to mineral resource activities in Non-Self-Governing Territories”. During a conference held in December 2008 in South Africa Mr. Correll reaffirmed his opinion of 2002 and added referring to agreements made with Morocco that it is "obvious that an agreement…that does not make a distinction between the waters adjacent to Western Sahara and the waters adjacent to the territory of Morocco would violate international law": http://www.havc.se/res/SelectedMaterial/20081205pretoriawesternsahara1.pdf
Several companies that got involved in Western Sahara through deals made with Morocco have decided to withdraw amongst them for example Kerr McGee, Total and Baraka. Other companies have preferred to deal with the Saharawi republic and not engage in the exploitation of SADR resources until the Saharawi republic is admitted to the UN.

The Government of the SADR, which is a founding member of the African Union and recognised by over 80 Countries world-wide as the sovereign authority over the territory of Western Sahara , considers that the presence of Fugro-Geoteam in Western Sahara is illegal and highly unwarranted.

The Government of the SADR strongly urges Fugro-Geoteam to cease its illegal activities in Western Sahara immediately.

The Government of the SADR considers illegal any activities related to the exploration or exploitation of the natural resources of the SADR without its express authorization. The Government of the SADR reserves the right to pursue legal action in respect of any such unauthorized activities.

It is worth noting that Western Sahara remains a conflict area and all foreign nations in order to safeguard the security and well- being of their citizens ought to discourage them from getting involved in the Territory until the resolution of the conflict. Foreign companies have a special duty not to involve their employees in a conflict zone. The companies should assume their responsibilities and end their presence in Western Sahara henceforth.

Yours truly,
Mohamed Salem Ould Salek
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic

Demands Fugro to leave Western Sahara

Western Sahara Resource Watch demands that Fugro-Geoteam terminate their profoundly unethical activities, and immediately withdraw their vessel "Geo Caribbean" from the Western Saharan waters. Fugro works in occupied Western Sahara on behalf of Moroccan authorities. Read open letter to Fugro, 12 January 2009.


CEO, Hans Ivar Meyer
Fugro-Geoteam
Hoffsveien 1C
0275 Oslo
Norway

Melbourne/Oslo, 12 January 2009

Open letter regarding Fugro-Geoteam's involvement in occupied Western Sahara.

It is with great disappointment that we today learned about Fugro-Geoteam's involvement in Kosmos Energy's explorations offshore occupied Western Sahara.

We urge your company to terminate your profoundly unethical activities, and immediately withdraw your vessel "Geo Caribbean" from the Western Saharan waters.

We would also like to point you to a few legal, political and ethical dilemmas regarding your engagement.

Western Sahara is occupied by Morocco, and the majority of the indigenous Sahrawi people has fled to Algeria since the occupation began, where they are currently living in refugee camps. The situation in the camps has for years been characterised by an acute shortage of food and medical supplies. One out of 5 children in the refugee camps are suffering from malnourishment, according to 2008 report by Norwegian Church Aid.

At the same time, the human rights situation in the occupied Western Sahara remains severe. The Human Rights organization Freedom House qualifies the 2008 human rights situation in occupied Western Sahara to be on the same level as Zimbabwe. A 216 page report by Human Rights Watch in December 2008 clearly documents a large number of human rights violations in the territory, committed by Moroccan authorities. More than 500 Sahrawis have 'disappeared' in Moroccan captivity since the occupation began.

No states in the world, nor the International Court of Justice, recognise the Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. More than 100 UN resolutions demand that the right of self-determination for the Sahrawi people be respected, but Morocco refuses to accept the referendum which the UN is demanding.

There is a fragile truce in Western Sahara at this moment. The UN is present in the territory to monitor a ceasefire from 1991. Saharawis under occupation and in exile are increasingly frustrated over the standstill. Since Morocco does not respect the referendum plans as elaborated in the peace agreements, Polisario Front is in now seriously deliberations over whether to return to arms.

Polisario has also considered the Moroccan oil search beginning in 2001 as a violation of the Morocco-Polisario agreements from 1991.

The UN considers the oil search in Western Sahara a violation of international law, if they were to proceed in the disregard of the wishes and interests of the Sahrawis. Please find the 2002 UN legal opinion here: www.arso.org/Olaeng.pdf. The former leader of the 2002 expert team, the UN ex-undersecretary general for legal affairs, Mr. Hans Corell, in a conference on 4-5 December 2008 by the South African Department of Foreign Affairs and the University of Pretoria, gave the following address, which puts the opinion into context: http://www.havc.se/res/SelectedMaterial/20081205pretoriawesternsahara1.pdf

Neither Fugro, nor Kosmos Energy, have given proof that their activities are in line with international law as elaborated by the UN opinion, i.e. that the Sahrawi people has been consulted, or that it is actually in line with their interests and wishes.

Please see letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, on 8 June 2004, to Fugro NV, which proves this point. The letter urges Fugro NV to abstain from activity in Western Sahara, following your previous engagement in the territory. http://www.wsrw.org/index.php?cat=131&art=1008.

The Norwegian Ministry of Finance stated in 2005 that activity similar to the one that you are now doing was "a particularly serious violation of fundamental ethical norms e.g. because it may strengthen Morocco's sovereignty claims and thus contribute to undermining the UN peace process". See the Norwegian government's opinion of the Kerr-McGee Boujdour block contract here, as they divested from Kerr-McGee of ethical reasons:
http://www.vest-sahara.no/files/pdf/kmg_analysis_norway_2005.pdf
and here:
http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/fin/tema/andre/Etiske-retningslinjer/Tilradninger-og-brev-fra-Etikkradet/Recommendation-on-Exclusion-from-the-Government-Petroleum-Funds-Investment-Universe-of-the-Company-Kerr-McGee-Corporation.html?id=419582

The oil industry has played clear role in giving Morocco the impression that the sovereignty claims are stronger than before. Kosmos Energy, for instance, claims consistently, and cynically, that Western Sahara is "Morocco's Southern Provinces", and "believes it has made the right bet as to which party will prevail" in the conflict. http://www.wsrw.org/index.php?parse_news=single&cat=128&art=709.

The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges Norwegian companies to abstain from activities in Western Sahara, due to the aspects of international law. We believe you are aware of that already:
http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/ud/tema/norgesfremme-og-kultursamarbeid/Norges-omdomme/Bedrifters-samfunnsansvar/Vest-Sahara.html?id=480822

We are also confident that it is in Fugro's own interest to maintain good relations with the over 70 states in the world that recognise the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic as a state. The fact that Fugro has now repeatedly carried out such activities, do not give the impression that your company takes Corporate Social Responsibility very seriously.

To conclude, carrying out Fugro-Geoteam's participation in the oil exploration is politically controversial, since it supports Morocco's unfounded claim over Western Sahara, it is contributing to undermining and violating international law, and it is, most importantly, deeply unethical, since it contributes to the continued suffering for the oppressed Sahrawi people.

The Norwegian Support Committee for Western Sahara and the international organisation Western Sahara Resource Watch insist that your company immediately terminate your activities, and withdraw your vessel 'Geo Caribbean' from Western Saharan waters.

Sincerely yours,

Ronny Hansen
Chairman, Norwegian Support Committee for Western Sahara

Cate Lewis
International coordinator
Western Sahara Resource Watch

CC:
Norwegian Parliament's Committee for Foreign Affairs
Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
CFO of Fugro NV, Mr. Klaas Wester
CEO of Fugro NV, Mr. André Jonkman
CEO of Thor Offshore, Mr. Hans Andrias Joensen
Executive Vice President and CFO of Kosmos Energy, Mr. Greg Dunlevy

Paris salue la nomination du nouvel envoyé personnel de l’ONU pour le Sahara occidental

Paris, La France a salué jeudi la nomination par le Secrétaire général des Nations unies de Christopher Ross comme nouvel Envoyé personnel pour le Sahara occidental.

"La France salue la nomination par le Secrétaire général des Nations unies de Christopher Ross comme Envoyé personnel pour le Sahara occidental" et "espère que cette nomination permettra aux parties d'entrer dans une phase plus substantielle des négociations", a déclaré le porte-parole du ministère français des Affaires étrangères, Eric chevalier.

Eric Chevalier a également fait part du soutien de son pays "aux efforts déployés par le Secrétaire général des Nations unies afin de parvenir à une solution politique réaliste, durable et mutuellement acceptable" par les parties au conflit, le Maroc et le Front Polisario.

Qatar, Mauritania cut Israel ties

Qatar and Mauritania have suspended economic and political ties with Israel in protest against the war in Gaza, Al Jazeera has learned. The move announced on Friday followed calls by Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president, and Khaled Meshaal, the exiled leader of Hamas, for all Arab nations to cut ties with Israel. Addressing leaders at an emergency Arab summit in Doha, the Qatari capital, al-Assad declared that the Arab initiative for peace with Israel was now "dead". He said Arab countries should cut "all direct and indirect" ties with Israel in protest against its offensive in Gaza. His comments echoed those of Khaled Meshaal, the exiled leader of Hamas, the Palestinian group that controls the Gaza Strip, who also called on all Arab states to cut ties with Israel. Egypt and Jordan are the only Arab countries who have signed peace treaties with Israel and have Israeli embassies. Summit demands The Qatari-hosted Arab summit concluded Friday with participants agreeing to present a Kuwaiti-hosted summit - to be held on Sunday - with a list of measures to end the conflict in Gaza. Those measures include demanding that Israel stops its offensive in the Strip, is held responsible for "crimes" committed in Gaza and immediately re-opens all border crossings. The summit also agreed that all Arab countries should form a "sea-bridge" that would enable aid supplies to reach Gaza. Speaking from Ankara, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish prime minister, said Israel should be barred from the United Nations while it continues to ignore UN demands to end the fighting in Gaza. "How is such a country, which totally ignores and does not implement resolutions of the UN Security Council, allowed to enter through the gates of the UN?" he said. Erdogan’s comments came hours ahead of Friday’s official visit to Turkey by Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary general. The Turkish leader also added his voice to widespread condemnation of Israel’s bombing of a UN compound in Gaza on Thursday. "The UN building in Gaza was hit while the UN secretary general was in Israel... this is an open challenge to the world, teasing the world," he said. Diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire have intensified over recent days with emergency meetings being held in Qatar, Turkey, Kuwait and Egypt. Arab divisions However, Friday’s emergency summit in Doha has highlighted divisions within the Arab world, with Egypt and Saudi Arabia declining to attend, preferring instead to send delegates to a separate meeting of foreign ministers in Kuwait. The Palestinian political factions Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) are also at the Doha summit. Hashem Ahelbarra, Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Doha, said the delegates in Qatar recognise the legitimacy of the Gazan factions, whereas Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Western nations have sidelined them from ceasefire talks. "You have two camps: The so-called moderate Arab countries, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, some Gulf monarchies like the UAE, and those who are trying to say that we totally disagree with the US attempt to implement a new Middle East." Qatar summit: Key points The following demands will be taken to Sunday’s Kuwait summit for pan-Arab approval: Ahelbarra said the "moderate camp" is uncomfortable with Hamas’ ties with Iran and suspects that the Iranian leadership is using some Arab countries to further its influence in the region. He said that the latter group believes it has the duty to convey the anti-war feeling of the Arab street and condemn Israel’s actions. Talks are continuing in Cairo over an Egypt-sponsored truce, with Amos Gilad, the Israeli chief negotiator, telling Egyptian officials Israel wants an open-ended ceasefire. Israel is demanding that rocket fire from Gaza ceases and that an international force is established to prevent weapons being smuggled into Gaza. Hamas want Israeli troops to be withdrawn from the Gaza Strip immediately and for all border crossings into the territory to be permanently re-opened. While Israel says it reserves the right to use military action if under threat, its emergency security cabinet is expected to vote on Saturday in favour of a unilateral ceasefire in Gaza, according to news agency AFP. By Friday morning, 1,155 Palestinians have been killed and more than 5,200 injured since Israel launched its offensive on December 27. One third of the dead are children.

Manœuvres militaires marocaines au Sahara Occidental : sujet des entretiens entre Khadad et Harston

Tindouf (Algérie), "Les nouvelles manœuvres militaires marocaines au Sahara Occidental" ont été au menu des entretiens entre le coordinateur sahraoui avec la Minurso, membre du Secrétariat national, Mhamed Khadad et le représentant spécial du Secrétaire général de l’Onu pour le Sahara Occidental, M. Julien Harston, a indiqué M. Khadad à SPS.

"La coopération entre le Front Polisario et la Minurso, la question des droits humains dans les territoires sahraouis occupés ainsi que les perspectives des efforts de l’Onu pour le parachèvement de la décolonisation du Sahara Occidental suite à la désignation par le SG de l’Onu, Ban Ki moon de son envoyé personnel pour le Sahara Occidental", ont également été au menu des ces entretiens qui se déroulés dans le siège de la Minurso à Tindouf, a-t-on indiqué.

Les observateurs croient savoir que le nouveau envoyé personnel de M. Ki moon, Christopher Ross, entreprendra dans un avenir proche une visite dans la région avant d’inviter les deux parties au conflit, le Front Polisario et le Maroc à de nouvelles négociations devant permettre de débloquer l’impasse actuelle.

La nomination de l’ambassadeur américain à ce poste intervient à la suite de l’échec de la tentative marocaine de faire avaliser sa proposition d’autonomie par les Nations unies et du départ de M. Peter van Valsun dont l’approche a été rejetée par le Secrétaire général de l’ONU et par le Conseil de sécurité, rappelle-t-on.

Le Polisario réitère sa disposition à coopérer ''pleinement'' avec M. Ross pour la reprise des négociations

Bir Lehlu (territoires libérés), Le Secrétariat national (SN) du Front Polisario a réitéré mardi la disposition du Front Polisario à coopérer "pleinement" avec le nouvel envoyé personnel du SG de l’Onu pour le Sahara Occidental, M. Christopher Ross, pour la reprise des négociations avec le Maroc sous les auspices de l’ONU, devant permettre l’instauration d’une paix juste et durable au Sahara occidental, selon un communiqué parvenu à SPS.

Dans ce sens le SN a exprimé la "disposition de la partie sahraouie à négocier sous les auspices de l'ONU en vue de parvenir à une solution pacifique au conflit, rappelant que le cessez-le-feu, en vigueur depuis le 6 septembre 1991, entre l’Armée de libération sahraouie et les forces d’occupation marocaines est indissociable de la tenue du referendum d’autodétermination, accepté par les deux parties et endossé, à l’unanimité, par le Conseil de sécurité".

Selon le communiqué sanctionnant la 4ème session ordinaire du SN du Front Polisario tenue lundi et mardi sous la présidence du chef de l'Etat et secrétaire général du Front Polisario, M. Mohamed Abdelaziz, le SN a attiré l’attention de la communauté internationale sur les dangers des tentatives du Maroc visant à faire échouer les efforts de l’ONU, au moment M. Ross s’apprête à prendre ses fonctions.

"Le Gouvernement marocain assumera pleinement la responsabilité, non seulement pour faire avorter les efforts de la communauté internationale pour la paix, mais des conséquences qui peuvent en découler de sa politique d'expansion et ses répercussions sur la sécurité, la paix et la stabilité dans la région".

Le SN a abordé avec force détails la situation prévalant dans les territoires occupés, au sud du Maroc et dans les campus universitaires, condamnant vigoureusement l'assassinat des martyrs, Baba Khaya et Houssein Katif, par les autorités marocaines devant une gare à la ville d'Agadir (Maroc), le 02 décembre dernier..

Il a également rappelé les témoignages de nombreuses organisations internationales, dont le Haut Commissariat des Nations Unies aux droits de l'homme, la Fondation Robert F. Kennedy et autres, notamment le récent rapport de l’organisation américaine Human Rights Watch, ce qui reflète l'horreur des violations flagrantes des droits de l'homme commises par l'État marocain au Sahara Occidental.

Le SN a condamné le pillage des ressources naturelles sahraouies par le Gouvernement marocain soutenu par des parties étrangères, qui génère des milliards de dollars par an, ce qui contribue au financement de l'occupation illégale et les encourage à procéder à l'intransigeance et l'obstruction des efforts de la paix.

A cet égard, le SN a rappelé que le peuple sahraoui est le seul propriétaire légitime des propres ressources naturelles du Sahara Occidental, lançant "un appel urgent à tous les gouvernements et les entreprises concernées à cesser immédiatement de contribuer à ce projet colonial, qui est contraire aux lois et normes internationales, et contraire à la morale et aux valeurs".

Dans ce contexte, le Secrétariat national a appelé spécifiquement l'Union européenne, le Conseil et le gouvernement, "lui demandant de reconsidérer l'accord de pêche maritime, signé avec le Gouvernement du Maroc, et de prendre toutes les mesures nécessaires pour veiller à ce que le Sahara occidental soit exclue de tout accord avec le Maroc, à l’instant ou à l’avenir, par respect du droit international et de contribuer à la réussite du processus de décolonisation du Sahara occidental, et le maintien de la paix et la stabilité dans la région".

Il a d’autre part exprimé sa préoccupation par la carence chronique de l'aide humanitaire destinée aux réfugiés sahraouis, et a appelé les Etats et organisations intéressées à "agir rapidement pour combler le déficit, en particulier dans le domaine de l’alimentation".

Le SN a renouvelé ses remerciements et sa gratitude aux amis du peuple sahraoui de part le monde pour leur position de soutien à sa juste cause, notamment l'Algérie, sous la présidence de M. Abdelaziz Bouteflika, pour sa position constante appelant à permettre au peuple sahraoui d'exercer son droit inaliénable à l'autodétermination, conformément au droit et à la légalité internationale.

Le Secrétariat national a condamné les massacres horribles commis par Israël contre le peuple palestinien dans la bande de Gaza, appelant la communauté internationale à "intervenir immédiatement pour mettre fin à cette tragédie, et à trouver une solution au Moyen-Orient, qui garantit le droit du peuple palestinien à l'autodétermination et à établir son Etat indépendant".

RASD: will use all available means to prevent and seek reparation in respect of Kosmos Energy, LLC illegal activities in Western Sahara

The member of Polisario Front’s National Secretariat, Emhamed Khadad, called on Kosmos Energy, LLC to stop its illegal activities in Western Sahara and indicated that RASD will use all available means, including legal avenues, “to prevent and seek reparation in respect of any unauthorized activities relating to the natural resources of Western Sahara”. In a letter to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kosmos Energy, LLC, Mr. James C. Musselman, Emhamed Khadad recalled that “these activities are in direct violation of international law”. He also recalled Kosmos Energy that “Morocco is not recognized by the UN as an administering power in Western Sahara, and therefore has no right to authorize or undertake activities related to the exploration and exploitation of the natural resources of Western Sahara”. Here is the complete text of the letter, sent Thursday to Kosmos Energy, LLC: ----------------------------- “15 January 2009 Mr. James C. Musselman Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kosmos Energy, LLC 8401 N. Central Expressway Suite 280 Dallas, Texas 75225 United States Dear Mr. Musselman, Further to my letter to you of 16 June 2006 regarding the signature by Kosmos Energy LLC (Kosmos) of a Moroccan license purporting to authorize petroleum exploration in areas offshore of the territory of Western Sahara, I am writing again in response to news that a vessel operated by Fugro-Geoteam, a Norwegian-based unit of Dutch oil services group Fugro, has been engaged by Kosmos to conduct seismic surveys off the coast of Western Sahara. As I noted in my previous letter to you – to which I have yet to receive a response – these activities are in direct violation of international law. Morocco is not recognized by the UN as an administering power in Western Sahara, and therefore has no right to authorize or undertake activities related to the exploration and exploitation of the natural resources of Western Sahara. The International Court of Justice confirmed in 1975 that there is no tie of territorial sovereignty between Western Sahara and the Kingdom of Morocco. Morocco’s presence in the territory is the result of an illegal invasion in 1975 and the ensuing occupation. A string of UN Security Council resolutions has deplored the invasion, and called for Morocco to withdraw from the territory. No country recognizes Morocco’s sovereignty over any part of the territory of Western Sahara. On the contrary, more than seventy countries have recognized the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) as the sovereign authority over the territory of Western Sahara. The SADR was admitted as a member of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1982, and is a full founding member state of the African Union (AU). At the request of the UN Security Council, the then-United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Legal Counsel, Mr Hans Corell, issued a legal opinion in January 2002 relating to the legality of actions taken by Moroccan authorities to enter into contracts with foreign entities for the exploration of mineral resources in Western Sahara. In the opinion, Mr Corell found that if ‘exploration and exploitation activities were to proceed in disregard of the interests and wishes of the interests and wishes of the people of Western Sahara, they would be in violation of the principles of international law applicable to mineral resource activities in Non-Self-Governing Territories’. (UN Document S/2006/161) It has come to our attention that Kosmos Energy has engaged Fugro-Geoteam to conduct seismic data acquisition activities, and that those activities are currently underway. The SADR, as the recognized sovereign authority for Western Sahara, has jurisdiction over, as well as the exclusive right to regulate and authorize, marine scientific research within its territorial waters. It also has the discretion to withhold its consent for such activities where those activities have ‘direct significance’ for the exploration and exploitation of natural resources, both living and non-living. To my knowledge, no attempt has been made by Kosmos Energy to contact, inform or seek authorization for the aforementioned seismic data acquisition activities from or by the SADR as the rightful sovereign authority and representative of the people of Western Sahara. If such efforts had been made, your company would be aware that its activities are in direct conflict with the rights granted by the SADR Petroleum Authority to other commercial interests pursuant to petroleum licenses entered into in 2005. Further information regarding these licenses is available at http://www.sadroilandgas.com. Finally, I note the public commitment of Kosmos to carrying out its business according to the highest international business standards. This commitment is seriously jeopardized by ongoing activities in Western Sahara’s waters. Over recent years, a number of companies operating in Western Sahara pursuant to commercial arrangements with the Kingdom of Morocco have withdrawn their operations. For example, French company Total withdrew in 2004, as did Kerr-McGee in 2006 following the decision by the Norwegian Government Petroleum Fund to divest its interests in the company. In doing so, the Fund noted that Kerr-McGee’s presence in Western Sahara constituted ‘a particularly serious violation of fundamental ethical norms’. In light of the above, it is my responsibility to inform you that the Government of the SADR, including the SADR Petroleum Authority, reserves the right to use all available means, including legal avenues, to prevent and seek reparation in respect of any unauthorized activities relating to the natural resources of Western Sahara. I look forward to your prompt response. Yours faithfully, Emhamed Khadad, SADR Petroleum Authority Advisor to the HE Mohamed Abdelaziz, President of the SADR. Member of the Polisario leadership. cc. Mr Hans Meyer Managing Director Fugro-Geoteam -------------- Other related stories: - Fugro under fire for Sahara deal http://www.upes.org/body1_eng.asp?field=sosio_eng&id=1423 - The Saharawi Republic urges Fugro-Geoteam to cease illegal activities in the occupied zones http://www.upes.org/body1_eng.asp?field=sosio_eng&id=1420 - WSRW demands Fugro to leave Western Sahara http://www.upes.org/body1_eng.asp?field=sosio_eng&id=1417 - Norwatch: Norwegian Oil Industry in Occupied Western Sahara http://www.upes.org/body1_eng.asp?field=sosio_eng&id=1416 - “In 2002, the Under-Secretary-General of Legal Affairs, Mr Hans Correll, issued a legal opinion to the Security Council on the matter in which he reaffirmed that Morocco has no sovereignty over Western Sahara. Mr Correll stated that if exploration and exploitation of the oil resources of the Territory “were to proceed in disregard of the interests and wishes of the people of Western Sahara, they would be in violation of the international law principles applicable to mineral resource activities in Non-Self-Governing Territories”. During a conference held in December 2008 in South Africa Mr. Correll reaffirmed his opinion of 2002 and added referring to agreements made with Morocco that it is "obvious that an agreement…that does not make a distinction between the waters adjacent to Western Sahara and the waters adjacent to the territory of Morocco would violate international law": Read the complete text of his intervention in that conference: http://www.havc.se/res/SelectedMaterial/20081205pretoriawesternsahara1.pdf