THE SAHARAN PEOPLES SUPPORT COMMITTEE, USA

Volume IX, No. 2 October-December SPSC 1988 LETTER ISSN 0891-608X

40TH ANNIVERSARY OF UNIVERSAL Sahara. Since the 1960's the DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS: UN General Assembly has studied SAHRAWIS SEEK POLITICAL RIGHTS the question of the former Spanish Sahara. The right of a This issue of the SPSC LETTER people to self-determination is appearing in a month in and the principle of a free and which we celebrate the 40th an­ just referendum have marked the niversary of the UN Universal debates and been echoed in UN Declaration of Human Rights and votes. the 22nd anniversary of the UN International Covenant on Civil November 20, 1988, the UN again and Political Rights. Both voted 86 - 0, with 53 absten­ documents are important in this tions, to request "the parties struggle of the Sahrawi people. to the Western Sahara conflict­ -the Government of Morocco and The International Covenant the Popular Front for the Lib­ notes that "all peoples have eration of Saguia el Hamra and the right · to self-determina­ Rio de Oro (Polisario) to begin tion. By virtue of that right direct negotiations for a cease they freely determine their fire and the holding of a ref­ political status and freely erendum on self-determination pursue their economic, social for the Western Saharan people and cultural development." The under the auspices of the UN current effort of the Sahrawis and the OAU." to exercise this right has its roots in the traditional inde­ To assist his own efforts in pendence of the people of the this regard and to move the region, in their repeated peace process forward, in late efforts to avoid subjugation by October UN Secretary-General colonial powers, and in the Javier Perez de Cuellar named stated goals of these two UN Uruguayan judge Hector Gross de documents. The Covenant is an Espiel as UN Special Represen­ elaboration of the rights to tative for the Western Sahara. civil and political freedom Gross de Espiel has met sepa­ described in several articles rately with delegations of the of the UDHR. two parties to the conflict and will continue meetings concern­ In conformity with these two ing the peace proposal which documents, the UN General As­ was outlined by the UN Secre- sembly has pronounced the 1990's as the "International Decade for Eradication of Co­ PEACE lonialism." Certainly it is in IN this period that colonialism 1989 should disappear in the Western tary-General last August. The in October, Mohamed Sidati, week of December 12, Gross de SADR Minister for Foreign Af­ Espiel will meet with delega­ fairs, noted that the UN vote tions of the two parties in "reiterates the legitimacy of Geneva. Also present for the the cause of the Sahrawi peo­ discussions in Geneva will be ple and its inalienable right representatives of Mauritania to self-determination and inde­ and Algeria. pendence." He added that the vote calls for a free and fair Two areas of agreement between referendum for the Sahrawis and Morocco and the SADR on the that it "reaffirms the legal UN/OAU peace proposal are the framework for a settlement" basis for the vote and the (OAU Resolution 104 and UNGA questions of the referendum. 40/50--Ed.), and "calls for Both parties agree that the direct negotiations between Spanish census of 1974 should Morocco and the Polisario serve as the basis for deter­ Front." Sidati said that the mining who will be entitled to recent UN resolution and vote vote. They also agree that the effectively supports the mis­ two questions should be inte­ sion of "good offices" under­ gration or independence. taken by the Chairman of the OAU and the UN Secretary-Gen­ The five point s which need to eral. be resolved are the Moroccan military presence, Moroccan A month which has given birth settlers in the territory, Mo­ to two documents like the UDHR roccan occupation laws, the and the Covenant of Civil and election campaign and direct Political Rights is a good negotiations between the two month for a meeting of Morocco belligerents . and the Polisario Front. One can hope that foot dragging The UN Secretary-General con­ delaying tactics by Morocco to tinues to gi ve personal atten­ avoid direct negotiations may tion to the conflict in Western be halted in Geneva. Hector Sahara. In November Perez de Gross de Espiel will soon visit Cuellar and Gross de Espiel met the Western Sahara. Let us separately with delegations hope that he, President Moussa headed by Bachir Moustapha Traore of Mali, Acting Chairman Sayed (Polisario Front) and of the OAU, and Secretary­ Ahmed Osman (president of the General Perez de Cuellar will Moroccan National Assembly). succeed in bringing peace and In December the Secretary­ justice to Western Sahara. General met with Mouloud Said (Polisario Representative to "Everyone has a right to a the UN Fourth Committee) and nationality," notes the UDHR. the Moroccan Ambassador to the It is also a twenty-five-year UN to discuss with them the -old cry of the Sahrawis. meeting in Geneva scheduled for "Anyone is entitled to a social later in the month. and economic order in which rights and freedoms set forth MEANING OF UNGA VOTE ON ISSUE (in the UDHR, Ed.) can be fully realized." The Sahrawis think Commenting on the vote of the it is time for them to exercise UN General Assembly in New York these rights. PUBLICATIONS UPDATE .•.•...... like Africa News, has been covering the war in Western Sahara for the past thirteen years. 1. "Recent Developments on the Western Sahara Question," Anthony Pazzanita, paper given 5. "Selected Periodical at the annual African Studies Articles, Government Documents, Association Meeting, October And Pamphlets About Western 28-31, 1988, Chicago, 28 pages. Sahara, 1976+," "Recently Catalogued Books About Western Detailed study of recent events Sahara," "Selected Magazine including the agreement in Articles About Western Sahara, principle by Morocco and the 1983+," Library of Congress. Polisario Front to U.N. Secretary-General Javier Perez The number of articles, books, de Cuellar's peace proposal. etc., is increasing. Numbers of citations were respectively 79, 135 and 16. The Library of 2. "Sahrawi Women," Carlos Congress has good holdings in Wilson, OBAA. SIMA, Accra Ghana, this area as in others. No. 84, 1988, pp. 6 & 8. Letter to journal. Of interest 6. "Western Sahara: next would be reader responses. feather in UN peace cap," Carlos Wilson, The Christian Similar information was also Science Monitor, August 31, published by Wilson in IRIDE, 1988, p. 8. Guigno 1988, Florence, Italy, and in VERA, Malgagn Kvenfrel­ Evenhanded treatment of peace sisbarattu, Reykjavik, Iceland, process underway. July 1988.

3. AFRICA ACTIVISTS' GUIDE: Organizer's Reference Directory to Information Sources, William Minter, Africa Peace Tour & ACAS and Outreach Program, African Studies Center Boston Unversity, 1987-1988, 14 pages. Useful tool. It is not meant to be comprehensive, but is a quick reference source.

4. "Polisario: Still Fighting The SPSC NEWSLETTER is pub­ for Independence,"Karen Gellen, lished about 4 times per year. THE GUARDIAN, September 28, A yearly donation of $5 is 1988, p. 12. requested. Write: Editor, SPSC NEWSLETTER, 217 E. Lehr Avenue, Good article. The Guardian, Ada, Ohio 45810. u.s. STATE DEPARTMENT NOTES the Western Sahara question, EFFORTS AT PEACE SETTLEMENT Taking note of the agree­ ment in principle, given on August 30, 1988, by the Kingdom Secretary of State George of Morocco and Polisario Front Schultz' statement on "Efforts to the joint proposals of the for Peace in Africa" was print­ UN Secretary-General and the ed by the u.S. State Depart­ Chairman of the OAU, ment in "Current Policy No. Anxious to support these 1111." The address was given efforts for holding referendum by the Secretary at a recep­ of self-determination of the tion in honor of the Organi­ people of Western Sahara, zation of African Unity in New organized and supervised by the York City, October 4, 1988. UN,in cooperation with the OAU, Remarks concerning Western -Decides to authorize the Sahara were the following: Secretary-General to nominate a special representative to West­ "We also welcome and support ern Sahara, the Secretary General of the -Requests the Secretary­ United Nations [Javier Perez de General to submit to it, as Cuellar] in his efforts to med­ soon as possible, a report on iate the dispute in the West­ the holding of a referendum of ern Sahara. With the concur­ self-determination of the rence of the Security Council, people of Western Sahara and on important steps toward a reso­ the means to be implemented in lution---including the desig­ order to ensure its organiza­ nation of the Secretary Gen­ tion and supervision by the UN, eral's special representative-­ in cooperation with the OAU." -have already been taken. We hope that the progress attained Result of vote: through the UN and OAU efforts Aye: 15 Nay: o will permit the introduct ion of Abstentions: o a balanced resol ution in the General Assembly this year Debates on Western Sahara at supporting the Secretary the UN in October found dele­ General." gations supporting the peace initiatives of the UN and OAU. SECURITY COUNCIL VOTES FOR Speaking for implementation of SPECIAL ENVOY OF PEREZ DE direct negotiations and contin­ CUELLAR TO WESTERN SAHARA uation of the process were representatives of Nigeria, Syria, the Association of Amer­ The text of the Security ican Jurists, Algeria, Cuba, Council resolution on Western Hungary, West Germany, Ghana, Sahara is the following: India, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania. These delegations, "The Security Council, as well as others, noted the Having heard a report given need to resolve the questions by the Secretary-General con­ of a cease-fire, withdrawal of cerning the joint good offices troops and administrative per­ undertaken by the Chairman of sonnel by Morocco as well as the OAU, in accordance with withdrawal of any Moroccan set­ Resolution 40/50 of the General tlers, and the suspension of Assembly, for the solution of Moroccan laws in the territory. AROUND THE WORLD WITH THE SADR protest of the seating of the SADR delegation was Morocco.

1. SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM SPEAKS 3. NEW SADR GOVERNMENT FORMED The International Scientific Symposium on "Non-Alignment: The Executive Committee of the Its Doctrine and Dynamics in Polisario Front recently formed Realizing the Vision of World a new government (August/Sep­ Without War and Free from tember) following meetings at Racial Discrimination," meeting which the committee studied in New Delhi, called for ad­ strategies for the national mission of the SADR to the Non­ independence agenda of the Sah­ Aligned Movement and the UN at rawis. The following persons the close of i t s sessions, were named to these posts: August 20. Noting that "the -Mahfoud Ali Beiba, Prime Min­ SADR is already a full member ister and Minister of Home Af­ state of the OAU and is recog­ fairs and Justice. nized by 71 countries," meeting -Brahim Ghali, Minister of De­ delegates urged admission of fense. the SADR to other international -Mohammed Lamine Ahmed, Head associations. Experts from of the Political Bureau. some twenty nations attended -Mansour Omar, Minister of the meeting at whi ch Malainine Health. Sadik, SADR Head of the Asia­ -Mohamed Salem Ould Salek, Oceana Department, l ed the Sah­ Minister of Information. rawi delegation. Symposium -Mohamed Ali Ould El Ouali, delegates also call e d for full Head of the SADR Mission to implementationof AHG 102 and Algeria. 42/78 (40/50) of the UN General -Sid Ahmed Batal, Minister of Assembly. Education. -Mohamed Sidati , Minister of 2. INTERNATIONAL REFUGEE MEET Foreign Affairs. -Abdelkader Taleb Omar, Minis­ At the invitation of the OAU, terof Equipment and Transport. Mohamed Sidati led a Sahrawi -Bouchraya Beyoun, Minister of delegation to the International Commerce and Development. Conference on Refugees held in -Ibrahim Hakim, Head of the Norway August 22-24. The con­ Presidency. ference, sponsored by the OAU, -Bachir Moustapha Sayed, Head UN and UNHCR had delegates from of the Committee for Foreign 130 member states of the UN. Relations of the Polisario Issues discussed at the meeting Front. were the Western Sahara con­ flict, refugees in southern Af­ 4. WAR CONTINUES ON FRONTLINES rica, and the international situation. The National Liberation Army of the SADR continues to strike The Sahrawi delegation was the sand wall in the SADR as received during the meeting by Morocco continues to delay ne­ Robert Mugabe, President of gotiations which might lead to Zimbabwe and current chairman a cease-fire. August 18, the of the Non-Aligned Movement. Sahrawis attacked Haousa. The Withdrawing from the meeting in battle which lasted from 5:00 to 9:00 A.M., took place over considers this way of contrib­ 15 kilometers of wall in length uting to the peace effort, led and 8 kilometers in width. Ac­ by the Secretary-General of the cording to the Sahrawis, 180 UN and supported unanimously by Moroccan soldiers were put out the Security Council of the UN, of combat. Captured was Cap­ to dishonor Egypt. tain Ghazali Mohamed, Head of the Royal Battery of the Ninth Sahrawi officials called on the Royal Artillery Group and three international community and the of his lieutenants. Secretary-Ge neral of the UN to prevent this kind of action Wire services reported another which comes at a time when the battle at Oum Dreiga September Maghrib is undergoing a period 16. Moroccan authorities re­ of political conciliation and ported 270 casualties while Po­ unity and when the Sahrawi-Mo­ lisario reported 200 Moroccan roccan conflict is approaching soldiers put out of combat and a very sensitive stage in the 25 captured. peace process. Battles are expected to con­ Marshal Abou Ghazala, Vice tinue along the wall until dir­ Premier and Minister of De­ ect negotiations between Moroc­ fense, is reported to have co and the SADR lead to a stated that "Egypt is ready to cease-fire, withdrawal of Mo­ satisfy Moroccan arms needs." roccan troops, administration and settlers. 7. NEW AMBASSADOR TO SEYCHELLES 5.HASSAN CANCELS VISIT TO SPAIN Ouadadi Cheikh Lhiba presented his letters of c~edit to Presi­ The projected visit of King dent France Albert Rene of the Hassan II of Morocco to Spain Republic of the Seychelles Sep­ November 8-11 was cancelled, tember 27. The new ambassador according to some sources, due resides in Madagascar. to the Spanish vote in the 4th Committee of the UN on the During the course of the audi­ resolution on Western Sahara. ence, the Sahrawi ambassador The resolution called for dir­ informed the Seychelles Head of ect negotiations between Moroc­ State of latest military and co and the Polisario Front con­ diplomatic developments in the cerning the future of the West­ peac e process for Western Sa­ ern Sahara. It appears that hara. The Seychelles president Morocco is continuing to oppose reaffirmed his state's support direct talks. of the SADR and to the legiti­ mate struggle of the Sahrawi 6. SADR PROTESTS EGYPTIAN ARMS people. "The government of the SADR de­ plores the irresponsible posi­ tion of Egypt which is ready to satisfy Moroccan arms require­ ments," says a release from the SADR Minister of Information in early November. The report added that "Sahrawi government SADR IN THE NEWS IN THE U.S. pressed satisfaction at the agreement in principle to the peace proposals of the UN/OAU, but noted that numerous ob­ 1. BROADCAST AIRS ON SADR AND stacles remained to the final­ CURRENT UN PEACE INITIATIVE ization of peace in the region. Assumpta Oturu of KPFK, 90.7 In her remarks Jackson noted FM, interviewed Anne Lippert, that "the right of people to Editor of the SPSC NEWSLETTER, self-determination is one of September 13, 1988 in a half­ the fundamental principles of hour long program. "SPOTLIGHT international law and that AFRICA" has been focussing on violations of the norms and the issue of Western Sahara in principles increase interna­ recent years. tional tension and threaten world peace and security." 2. AFRICA PEACE TOUR: YEAR 3 It was in this context that she Karen Buckley of Western Sahara asked for the immediate appli­ Campaign took part in the third cation of UNGA resolution 40/50 Africa Peace Tour sponsored by and OAU resolution 104 because a number of NGO's and church "these are essential to arrive groups in April 1988. Buckley at just and definitive politi­ spoke on the war in the Western cal solutions to the conflict Sahara, its impact on human in Western Sahara. In the name rights and development programs of the Association of American in northwest Africa, and its Jurists Jackson called on the connection to other African international community to liberation struggles. redouble its efforts to put into effect resolutions 40/50 This is the third year Western and 104. She also urged the Sahara Campaign has taken part international community to take in the tour. In April 1987, all necessary measures to pre­ Zahra Ramadane, a Sahrawi vent dilatory maneuvers from woman working in the Sahrawi disturbing the process of peace refugee camps, and Teresa K. that is underway. Smith, Executive Director of Western Sahara Campaign, also The Association of American toured. Jurists includes lawyers, judges and law students 1988's Tour was focussed on the throughout the US, in Central southwest states of Texas, New America and in the Carribbean. Mexico, Arizona and Colorado. 4. ACAS SPONSORS WESTERN SAHARA 3. JACKSON CALLS FOR RIGHTS PANEL AT ASA ANNUAL MEETING Vice President of the Associa­ ACAS, the Association of Con­ tion of American Jurists, Ms. cerned African Scholars, spons­ Deborah Jackson, spoke as a ored a panel on Western Sahara, petitioner before the 4th Com­ October 30, 1988 at the African mission of the UN General Studies Association annual Assembly concerning the meeting. Speakers for the panel conflict in Western Sahara were Karen Buckley, chair; October 19. Ms. Jackson ex- Yahia Zoubir, Daniel Volman and Anthony Pazzanita. and Chrif EI Mamuh. Buckley also read a paper by The report also stated that Teresa K. Smith at the panel on Mamma Mint Sidi Ould, who has "Decolonization in Africa: The been detained several times by Unfinished Agenda," October 31. Moroccan authorities, has October 28 Anne Lippert gave a reported the death from torture paper on "Sahrawi Women's In­ of Khatri Mohamed Lamine Ould sertion in the Liberation Bejeija, who was ' seized from Struggle" on a panel sponsored his nomad encampment. by the Women's Caucus of the African Studies Association. MEETING OF NON-ALIGNED NATIONS REITERATES SUPPORT OF SAHRAWIS DISAPPEARANCES IN OCCUPIED SADR The question of Western Sahara According to a report printed was examined by the Ministerial in Western Sahara Campaign, USA Conference of the Non-Aligned News, Sahrawi journalist, Sida­ Nations meeting in Nicosia, ~Sellami, was detained by Cyprus, September 1988. Fol­ Moroccan authorities in fal~ lowing discussions by the dele­ 1987 at about the time of the gates which gave general sup­ UN Technical Mission's visit to port to the UN/OAU peace plan the SADR. Sidati had been including new initiatives by working at "Radio EI Ayoun" the UN Secretary-General, from 1971 to the time of his those taking part in the meet­ disappearance. He hosted a ing reiterated their consensus radio program listened to by on the question as formulated Sahrawis in the occupied terri­ at the 1986 Harare, Zimbabwe, tory, in the refugee camps in meeting. Algeria and in the Canary Islands. Among other statements, the ministers noted the need to re­ Sidati had hosted the program solve questions of a cease-fire on Arabic literature in Hassa­ and a referendum without mili­ nia, the language of the Sahra­ tary or administrative con­ wis of the SADR, during both straints. Spanish and Moroccan occupa­ tions. Also disappearing at The ministers reaffirmed their the same time was Sidati's conviction that the resolution daughter, Ettanah Sidati Sella­ of the question of Western Sa­ mi, who also had worked at the hara resides in the full appli­ radio station in a program of cation of resolution AHG/104, Hassania poetry and literature. adopted by the 19th meeting' of the OAU Heads of State, which According to the report, no defines the means for arriving charges have been filed against at a just and lasting political the two. Also interned from resolution of the conflict, and September 1986, according to in resolution 42/78 of the Gen­ the report, are Jedla Mach (70 eral Assembly of the UN, which years of age), her daughters, ratifies the above resolution Fatimetou, Embarka and Najima, of the OAU. Direct negotia­ and her sons, Laabda and tions between Morocco and the Salane, cousins, ould Hamedaha Polisario Front are called for.