WESTERN SAHARA: SECURITY COUNCIL RENEWS MINURSO

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000339 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC MO AG WI SUBJECT: WESTERN SAHARA: SECURITY COUNCIL RENEWS MINURSO MANDATE FOR SIX MONTHS; CALLS FOR DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE PARTIES UNDER UN AUSPICES ¶1. The Security Council April 30 adopted a resolution extending the MINURSO (United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara) mandate for a further six months to October 31, 2007. In addition, the resolution takes note of both Moroccan and Polisario proposals for ending the political impasse, and calls on the parties to enter into direct negotiations under UN auspices. The resolution asks the Secretary-General to report on the status and progress of the negotiations by June 30, 2007. UNSCR 1754 (2007),based on a draft developed and co-sponsored by Friends of Western Sahara (U.S., UK, France, Russia and Spain),passed by a 15-0 vote. ¶2. Only South Africa delivered an explanation of vote (EOV). Delivered prior to the vote, South African PermRep Dumisani Kumalo criticized portions of the text as unbalanced, allegedly favoring Morocco over the Polisario. Kumalo also complained that those members of the Security Council who are not members of the Friends of Western Sahara had not had sufficient time to consider the resolution. Kumalo, concluded, however, that South Africa "reluctantly" supported the resolution because it believes in the importance of direct talks between the parties. ¶3. Text of UNSCR 1754 (2007) follows: Begin Text: Recalling all its previous resolutions on Western Sahara, Reaffirming its strong support for the efforts of the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy, SIPDIS Reaffirming its commitment to assist the parties to achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara in the context of arrangements consistent with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, and noting the role and responsibilities of the parties in this respect, Reiterating its call upon the parties and States of the region to continue to cooperate fully with the United Nations and with each other to end the current impasse and to achieve progress towards a political solution, Taking note of the Moroccan proposal presented on 11 April 2007 to the Secretary-General and welcoming serious and credible Moroccan efforts to move the process forward towards resolution; also taking note of the Frente Polisario proposal transmitted on 10 April 2007 to the Secretary-General, Welcoming the report of the Secretary-General of 13 April 2007 (S/2007/202), ¶1. Reaffirms the need for full respect of the military agreements reached with MINURSO with regard to the ceasefire; ¶2. Calls upon the parties to enter into negotiations without preconditions in good faith, taking into account the developments of the last months, with a view to achieving a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara; ¶3. Requests the Secretary-General to set up these negotiations under his auspices and invites Member States to lend appropriate assistance to such talks; ¶4. Requests the Secretary-General to provide a report by 30 June 2007 on the status and progress of these negotiations under his auspices, and expresses its intention to meet to receive and discuss this report; ¶5. Requests the Secretary-General to provide a report on the situation in Western Sahara before the end of the mandate period; ¶6. Calls on Member States to consider voluntary contributions to fund Confidence Building Measures that allow for increased contact between separated family members, especially family unification visits; ¶7. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to take the necessary measures to ensure full compliance in MINURSO with the United Nations, zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to keep the Council informed, and urges troop-contributing countries to take appropriate preventive action including pre-deployment awareness training, and other action to ensure full accountability in cases of such conduct involving their personnel; ¶8. Decides to extend the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 31 October 2007; ¶9. Decides to remain seized of the matter. End text. KHALILZAD