'l'HB SAHARAR PEOPLES SUPPORT COMMITTEE
Volume XI, 50. 4 SPSC Volume XII, .0. 1 LETTER July 1991 - March 1992 ISS. 0891-608X
KBW SBCRBTARY-GBKBRAL REPORTS TO ca (30), Russian Federation (29),Ven SECURITY COUNCIL DMSBRS O. MllIURBO ezuela (15). The Secretary-General noted that The f iret report of new Secretary Force headquarters is located with General Boutros-Ghali on the status MINURSO headquarters in El Aiun. UN of UN efforts to organize a free and military observers have been deployed fair referendum in western Sahara was in 10 team sites at Mahbes, Smara, distributed February 28. In the Tifariti, Bir Lahlou, and Maharrize report Boutros-Ghali noted that he in the northern sector; 0Urn Dreiga was reporting pursuant to the Securi and Mijek in the central sector; and ty Council Resolution 725 of December Aouserd, Zug, and Aquenit in the 31, 1991, which invited the new Sec southern sector. The team site at retary-General to submit a further Zug was relocated to Dougaj in Novem report on the situation concerning ber 1991 to facilitate logistic sup Western Sahara, as soon as possible, ply and liaison with the Polisario but in any event within two months. and to provide better accommodations His report is a follow-up to the last for the UN military observers. Sec report of former Secretary-General tor headquarters have been provision Javier Perez de Cuellar, who in late ally established at Smara, Oum Dreiga December proposed some changes in the and Aouserd. A liaison officer is rules for recognition of those eligi also at Tindouf in Algeria to main ble to vote. tain contact with Algerian authori ties and Polisario. In hie report, Boutros-Ghali noted that as of mid-February 1992, the The Australian Signals Unit has de military strength of .MINURSO was 375, tachments at Force headquarters, at including 200 United Nations Military each sector headquarters, and at the Observers. Contingents are from 25 Tindouf liaison office. The Swiss nations from several continents. · The Medical Unit is based in El Aiun, but largest group is from Switzerland has small medical clinics in Smara which is providing 85 medical unit and Dakhla and air medical and casu personnel and one headquarters staff alty evacuation elements in El Aiun person. They are followed by Austra and Smara. lia with 43 signal unit personnel and 2 headquarters staff/military observ Soutros-Ghali noted that Perez de er personnel. Canada is third with Cuellar intended to initially deploy 33 (one half are military observers 100 observers and some support per and headquarters personnel and one sonnel to verify the cease-fire and half are movement control personnel. cessation of hostilities. This was endorsed by the Security Council on All other nations are providing mili september 4, 1991. The first group tary observers and headquarters per of UN military personnel arrived in sonnel: Argentina (7), Austria (1), EI Aiun on september 5, just hours Bangladesh (1), China (20), Egypt before the cease-fire came into for (9), France (30), Ghana (1), Greece mal effect at 0600 Greenwich mean (1), Guinea (1), Ireland (6), Italy time on September 6. (6), Kenya (10), Malaysia (1), Nige ria (1), Pakistan (1), Peru (1), The report notes that "the team site Poland (15), Tunisia (9), United is the key element in monitoring the Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern cease-fire and each one is, on aver Ireland (15), United States of Arneri- age, responsible for an area of more than 9,000 square kilometers on ei the last five and a half months." ther side of the sand wall (berm), which extends for 1,960 kilometers. The Secretary-General notes that UN military observers operate in since taking office he has followed mobile patrols of two vehicles each, the situation in western Sahara very with two UN military observers per closely. He met with King Hassan II vehicle. Patrols can last from sev on January 30, 1992, and with Presi eral hours to several days, depending dent Mohamed Abdelaziz (SADR) on on the mission and the distances February 14, 1992, at United Nations involved. Hel icopter-borne patrols Headquarters. This latter was the are also conducted on both sides of first time Polisario had been invited the berm and enhance the UN capabili to UN Headquarters. ty to cover the large area and react at abort notice to complaints and A major sticking point remains the violations. The primary task of new instructions given by Perez de these patrols is to monitor compli Cuellar to the Identification Commit ance with the cease-fire. They do tee on December 19, 1991, enlarging this by direct observation of mili the voting list of the 1974 Spanish tary forces and activities carried census to include complete tribes of out by either party and by verifying individuals scattered throughout complaints of alleged cease-fire several countries in the region. A violations. Each violation or com large number of these individuals are plaint is taken up with the relevant people who have recently been moved military commanders, both orally and to the western Sahara, but consider in writing, and is reported up the themselves "Moroccans from the MINURSO chain of command.. Each con north." In December the Security firmed violation is the object of a Council welcomed, but did not approve protest to the party concerned. Each the last report of Javier Perez de complaint is investigated and the Cuellar and asked for a report by results are communic?ted to the com Boutros-Ghali within two months of plaining party as quickly as possi his taking office. ble. In all instances, the confiden tiality of information obtained from Following 'the resignation of the either side is protected." former Special Representative, Johan nes Manz, Boutros Ghali sent the The secretary-General goes on to note Deputy Special Representative to the that the main type of cease-fire area to address "the persistent lo violations are overflights, improve gistical and technical problems faced ment of defensive works, and the by MINURSO •••• The office of the spe movement of troops. He states that a cial Representative in New York was total of 77 violations have been closed at the beginning of January reported and that 75 have been at 1992 and MINURSO staff at Headquar tributed to Morocco while 2 have been ters were either redeployed ••. or attributed to the Polisario Front. released •... At the same time, agree He notes that overflights have been ment was reached on the release and particularly difficult to identify transport from Moroccan ports of all positively, but notes that it has United Nations goods required by been possible to affirm, in some MINURSO and notably by its military cases, that they are by military air component." craft. Defensive improvements in clude the laying of mine fields, Boutros-Ghali also noted that "con digging of anti-tank ditches, con sultations have been held with the UN struction of rock and/or sand walls, High Commissioner for Refugees in and building of other fortifications Geneva. UNHCR now has adequate con such as bunkers or barriers. He tributions in cash and kind to orga reported there has been some unautho nize, as provided in the plan, the rized movement of troops by both eventual return of refugees together parties from the positions originally with their immediate families. Pre held on September 6, 1991. paratory technical measures have been taken by UNHCR and a senior level Boutr08-ohali notes that the primary UNHCR mission to the territory is function of MINURSO, to monitor the foreseen in the near future." cease-fire, has been successful in that "the cease-fire has held during A new Special Representative has not yet been selected as one acceptable CHRONOLOGY OF TBB WESTERN SAHARA to both parties has not yet been CONFLICT FOLLOWIIfC TBB CBASB-FIRB found. It has been reported that Polisario favors a Special Represen tative from the U.S., believing t hat the US will be impartial. September 15 Boutros-Ghali notes that the referen dum in western Sahara was scheduled Moroccan officials refuse the special for January 1992. That date has not correspondent of Le Monde to enter been met. In his report he does not the Western Sahara. propose a revised timetable for the referendum, but sets a target date of three months to resolve the issues September 17-18 that block setting a new timetable for the vote. The Union of the Greater Maghreb meeting in Casablanca upholds the He also notes that the UN has never peace plan of the UN and refuses to organized a referendum of this kind further discuss the Western Sahara. and asserts that this may be one reason for the difficulties in meet ing the proposed earlier timeline. September 18 He also calls on both parties for full cooperation with UN efforts to The population of the Western Sahara find mutually acceptable solutions to is warned by Moroccan authorities unresolved differences. He also that it has no right to make contact notes that if by the end of May 1992 with foreigners, whether they be there is no agreement on implementa members of MINURSO or journalists, tion of the existing plan, that it under pain of disciplinary action by "will be necessary to consider alter the authorities. Group assemblies native courses of action and possibly are forbidden, including celebrations adopt a new approach to the whole of a marriage, naming of children, problem." and other social occasions. Thou sands of Moroccan soldiers start wearing civil police garb and are spread throughout the Western Sahara. Article taken from Security Council They replace taxi drivers to better Report S/23662, 28 February 1992 observe the movements of the popula tion and work as telephone operators in the central offices of El Aiun in order to monitor telephone conversa tions and interrupt them if neces sary.
September 18
170,000 Moroccans, originating from the southern provinces of Morocco, are sent to settle in the Western Sahara.
September 21
The prison at Tazmamart will be razed, but its detainees will be transferred to new prison centers, recently constructed.
September 25
Fourth violation of the cease-fire by Moroccan planes flying over the lib october 11-13 erated territory. The 17th European Conference of Sup port for the Sahrawi People is held September 25 in Le Mans.
Following a visit to Mauritania, Johannes Manz, Special Representative october 12 on western Sahara, arrives in the Sahrawi refugee camps in Tindouf. Selem Zeroua1i, a young Sahrawi girl, is arrested by the Moroccan police for having protested, along with September 26 others, against the presence of the new Moroccan colonizers. She died 25,000 Moroccans arrive in the West under torture. ern Sahara to swell the census lists. Le matin du Sahara reports that hun dreds of tents have been set up OCtober 19 around EI Aiun for these Moroccans coming from Tan-Tan and Goulimine in M. Henri Saby, president of the Com southern Morocco. mission on Development and Coopera tion of the European Parliament, is refused entry to the Western Sahara September 26 (EI Aiun) following a visit to Mauri tania. King Hassan of Morocco undertakes an official visit to the US. During the meeting between the King and Presi lIovanber 3 dent Bush, Mr. Bush declares that the US is in agreement with the UN plan 12th violation of the cease-fire by for the referendum. Moroccan aircraft
october 2 1I0vember 6
Secretary-General Javier Perez de On the occasion of the 16th anniver Cuellar asks Mauritania to grant sary of the Green March, King Hassan MINURSO broad rights of passage II reaffirms the sovereignty of Mo through that nation and requests rocco over the Western Sahara and permission to establish a rear base notes he does not accept a "j oint" of operations in Mauritania for grea administration (UN). ter freedom of action.
lIovember 8 october 5 The Swiss Medical Team (80 members) A Dutch boat loaded with 156 prefab is in place after three months of ricated houses for MINURSO staff is delay. The clinic constructed at EI forbidden the right to unload its Aiun is operational and the others at cargo by Moroccan authorities. It is Smara and Dakhla are soon to be oper turned back to Las Pa1mas. ational.
lIovember 15 OCtober 10 Serious accusations in The Indepen At the European Parliament in Stras dent against a UN bureacrat. The bourg, two Moroccans, including one paper's inquiry showed that conf iden who is a member of the Moroccan Em tial information on computer dis bassy, are found stealing documents kettes concerning the identification belonging to Madame B. Simmons, Ger of voters supplied by the Polisario man deputy and President of the Front to the UN had been transmitted group, "Peace for the Sahrawi peo to Morocco despite the objections of ple," in the European Parliament. other UN officials. Polisario claimed that in addition to the con 3. American Arab Affairs, Summer fidential census lists, military 1991, Number 37. "The Western Saha information was also provided Moroc ra: Future Prospects," Robert J. can authorities. Bookmiller, pp. 64-76. An examina tion of the prospects of the referen dum and a recap of issues. Bovember 18 New violation of the cease-fire by Moroccan combat planes. 4. YBARBOO1t 1990, IWGIA, Copenhagen, 1991, ISSN 0902-6266, pp. 149-150. Report on North Africa. Sources on Bovember 22 their Western Sahara report include Africa Events, Information, and West A high UN bureaucrat and member of Africa. MINURSO is named in a confidential UN report published in The Independent and in The Washington Post concerning various irregularities dealing with 5. The washington Report on Middle several million dollars of aid to East AffaIrs, February 1992, Volume Afghan refugees. X, No.7, p. 47, Maghreb Mirror, Jamal Amiar (radio journalist based in Tangier, Morocco), "Is UN Post December 20 ponement of Sahara Referendum Re~lly a Cancellation?" Rerun of background Resignation of Johannes Manz, Special of referendum. Amiar suggests that Representative of the UN to Western the fact that the new secretary-gen Sahara. eral of the UN is an Egyptian may be a plus for Morocco. He also suggests that the state of UN finances may cause a delay or cancellation of the referendum. UPDATE OB PUBLICATIOBS OB COBPLICT IB WBSTERB SAHARA SIBeB .nno: 1991 REPORT
6. Toward Freedom, October 1991, Volume 40, No.7, Better Tomorrows, (Articles listed are those received "Beyond the Moroccan Cease-fire: by the Editor since the last newslet Will Hassan stick to His Guns?," Anne ter. ) Lippert,pp. 13-14. Discussion of some of the difficulties of the ref erendum and Sahrawi concerns about a 1. Human Rights Monitor, interna free and fair referendum. tional service for human rights, No. 15, December 1991, p.5, makes refer ence to the meeting of the Human Rights Committee's 43rd Session in 7. The Economist. August 31,1991, Geneva from October 21 to November 8, p.34, "Western Sahara: Desert Stall." 1991, and notes the concerns of sev Article suggests Moroccan king oppos eral experts concerning Sahrawi pris es UN referendum. oners who had not yet been freed. The investigation of Sahrawi prison ers was part of the completion of the inquiry on Moroccan human rights 8. Christian Science Monitor, August issues. 26, 1991, "Thi World," p.6, "Western Sahara Deal Slips a Notch," Marian Houk. Article discusses "foot drag 2. Friends of Morocco, A Bewsletter, ging" of King Hassan regarding refer Volume 3, No.4, January 1992, p. 9. endum. He is quoted "I have, from Reference is made to articles in the beginning, said that we would Jeune Afrique, Middle East Times, and accept the results of the referendum, American Arab Affairs on the status because the Sahara can only be Moroc of the UN peace plan for Western can and nothing but Moroccan, whether Sahara. or not there is a referendum." DYMALLY SCBBDULBS TWO BBARIRGS BEFORB of dozens of people after demonstra AFRICAR AFPAIRS ARD HUMAR RIGHTS SUB tions or before important visits. OOMMITTBES OF HOUSE FORBIGR AFPAIRS After each wave of arrests, some of those seized were released, but oth ers have never been seen again. " Melvyn Dymally, chair of the House Sub-Committee on Africa, and Gus Yat The report went on further that "Over ron, chair of the House Sub-Committee 300 "disappeared" Western Saharan on Human Rights, held a joint hearing civilians, who had been held in se on the UN peace plan for the western cret detention for up to 15 years, Sahara in 2172 Rayburn, October 8, were released by the Moroccan author 1991. ities in mid-June 1991. Many of them have contracted serious ailments, due Speaking to the plan, Congressman to the harsh prison conditions. At Dymally noted that "United States least 43 others are reported to have diplomacy is essential in ensuring died in detention and several hundred that a true expression of self-deter more continue unaccounted for by the mination takes place in the Western Moroccan security forces." Sahara." He noted that "by holding this hearing, we hope to focus atten The Amnesty report notes that many of tion on the peace plan, the referen the Sahrawis recently released from dum and the plight of the people of prison are reportedly under house Western Sahara. They are entitled to arrest and others are restricted to enjoy the right and privilege being areas in Morocco. "Those set free realized now by millions of individu are reported to have been instructed als allover the globe, the right of to keep silent about their experi self-determination." ences and not to celebrate their homecoming in public." It goes on to COngressman Yatron noted that "one of say that "the Leili family who are the major areas I look forward to from Laayoune (El Aiun) (the capitol reviewing today is Morocco I s coopera of Western Sahara) are now, after 15 tion on ensuring the success of the years of secret detention, said to be UN peace plan." kept under guard in Tan Tan, some 300 kilometers from their hometown and in Speaking at the Hearing were John S. the heartland of Morocco." Wolf, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State; Teresa K. Smith de Cherif, The report also mentions others Manager and Senior Editor, Africa "still disappeared" who include "Mes Bureau Research and Information, The tahya ment Ali Salem ould Hainouda, Academy of Educational Development; born in 1958 in Saguia, a housewife Stephen Zunes, educator and writer; and mother of one son, who was ar Anne Lippert, editor of the SPSC rested on 25 January 1981 in Laayoune Rewsletter and professor at Ohio together with her sister Yahdia; and Northern University; Hurst Hannum, of Fatimatou ment Baad, aged 65 at the the International Human Rights Law time of her arrest on 4 April 1984 by Group; Lawrence T. Farley, professor the police judiciaire." at Lock Haven University; and repre sentative of Amnesty International. SECORD BBARIRG HELD FEBRUARY 26, 1992
Along with COngressmen Yatron and At the start of the second hearing, Dymally, Congressmen Weiss and others Congressman Dymally noted that the questioned the witnesses. purpose of the hearing is to review the current status of the UN peace The Amnesty International report plan and proposed referendum and to focussed on human rights issues. Of encourage the US administration and particular note were "disappearances" the UN to ensure that a free and fair in the Western Sahara. Amnesty rep referendum takes place in Western resentatives noted that "disappear Sahara. ances" of Sahrawis by Moroccan secu rity forces began in 1975. The re He noted that "together with my col port noted that "In some cases, those leagues on the subcommittee, I spon who "disappeared" were not just indi sored a resolution endorsing the viduals, but whole families. Often, implementation of the peace plan and "disappearances" followed the arrest calling upon the President to contin- ue the US policy of strong advocacy 1991, after faxing an article on the of the peace plan within the UK and western Sahara to a Swiss journalist. in our bilateral relations. This He was detained incommunicado for legiulation passed the . committee on over four months. During this time Foreign Affairs and the Bouse of his family sought information on his Representatives unanimously. whereabouts from the Moroccan author ities but the judiciary police denied "This same resolution is now being holding him." sponsored in the senate by Senators Kennedy, xassenbaum, Simon, and Cran Amnesty representatives also dis ston." cussed Morocco's record of torture, "disappeared," years of detention According to Congressman Dyma11y, "a without charges, and generally poor recent report by Senator Pe11, Chair human rights record. Of particular man of Senate Foreign Relations, the note were three French nationals UK Mission for the Referendum in raised in Morocco, the SOurequat Western Sahara Peacekeeping Force brothers, who were held in the secret (MlRURSO) is not being supported prison of Tazmamert in 4-meter by 4- politically by the UK hierarchy in meter cells with little food, venti Rew York. This accounting also lation, light, or covering. They states that the UK is ignoring MIIWR survived 18 years of detention with SO's reports of cease-fire violations out charges, but are seriously crip and the Government of Morocco's un pled and ill. Only 31 of the 61 willingness to cooperate with MIIWR prisoners housed there survived their SO'. operations." detention.
Senator Pell, who also appeared at Also discussed at the hearing were the Hearing, submitted a staff report the financial irregularities of the for the Senate Foreign Relations MINURSO officials in New York. One Committee that describes in detail official who is alleged to have sto the problems confronted by MINURSO. len several million from Afghan re George Pickart's report details the lief, is <,llleged to have provided failure of MINURSO to receive materi Moroccan officials with computer als, to get support from the UN in census diskettes provided by Po1isa New York, to receive cooperation from rio to the UN. MINURSO claims to Moroccan officials in the Western have spent some $58 million of its Sahara for movement of supplies and $200 million budget, figures that UN personnel, to receive threats from personnel in the field find extremely Moroccan forces for access to Moroc exaggerated. Examples include enter can military enclaves, to have MINUR tainment in the field (when none has SO materials impounded by Moroccan been provided) and charges of $70 per authorities. day to each soldier for food and housing, although most of them live One of the panelists listed for the in tents and have insufficient food. hearing was Colonel Albert C. Zapan ta, US Military Assistant to the Panelists scheduled for the February Force commander of MIIWRSO. Zapanta, 26 hearing were John Bolton, Assis who had agreed to appear, was absent. tant Secretary of State;' Colonel There was no explanation of the ab Albert C. Zapanta, US Military Assis sence. Zapanta, who had been sta tant to the Force commander of MIIWR tioned in the Western Sahara until SO
Since 1975 the Sahrawi people have been attempting to exercise their right to self-determination. This has been a United Nations issue since the 60's, an OAU issue since the 70's, a combined effort throughout the 80' sand 90' s, a right recognized by the world community.
This right to self-determination is above all else a human rights issue, a matter of justice and equity. For the US, a nation committed to the exercise of a "new world order," it would be an exercise in unconscionable cynicism to relegate the Sahrawi people to a sham referendum or a "failed attempt by the UN" because Morocco is a long-time ally.
Iraq was a long-term US ally, as records have recently shown, but we did not sit by and let Kuwait remain under the control of the Iraqi authorities following the invasion of that country. There has been much discussion in the US press and by members of the Bush Administration of the abuses of Iraq against Kuwaiti citizens. Should there be any less discussion about the Sahrawi detainees who are kept without charge and trial for decades? Should there be any less effort made to ensure that a new special representative for Western Sahara be an individual untainted b.y previous record of official connivance in the Moroccan effort to seize the Western Sahara by force?
From reports coming from newspapers and journals from abroad, from following the US House hearings, from reading the reports of the past Secretary-General and current Secretary-General of the UN, it appears that there is a serious attempt to undermine the free and fair referendum for the Sahrawis, that MINURSO is to be a sham.
ONE CAN ONLY SAY: SHAME!
THE SAHRAWI PEOPLE, LIKE THE PEOPLES OF EASTERN EUROPE, LIKE THE PEOPLE OF KUWAIT, LIKE ALL PEOPLES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD HAVE THE RIGHT TO FREELY EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION AND TO HAVE THEIR CHOICE SUPPORTED AND HONORED THROUGH FULL UN AND US SUPPORT.
Justice The spse Letter is printed about four Peace times a year in Ada, Ohio. A dona Honor tion of $5 is requested. For infor The Right to Self-Determination mation write SPSC Letter, 217 E. Lehr Avenue, Ada, Ohio 45810.