Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07USUNNEWYORK339
2007-05-01 13:42:00
UNCLASSIFIED
USUN New York
Cable title:  

WESTERN SAHARA: SECURITY COUNCIL RENEWS MINURSO

Tags:  PREL PGOV UNSC MO AG WI 
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DE RUCNDT #0339/01 1211342
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 011342Z MAY 07
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1801
INFO RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS IMMEDIATE 1231
RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID IMMEDIATE 6224
RUEHNK/AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT IMMEDIATE 0060
RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT IMMEDIATE 0863
RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA IMMEDIATE 0476
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


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