SPAIN FOR POLITICAL SOLUTION TO WESTERN SAHARA DISPUTE

Spain adopts 'constructive approach' to settle Sahara dispute



Spain adopts "a constructive approach" to settle the thirty-two year old Sahara dispute - that opposes Morocco to the Algeria-backed Polisario sepearatists - said Spanish president, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.


Speaking at a press conference on the fringes of the UN General Assembly annual debate, Mr. Zapatero said "Spain adopts a constructive approach" to find a solution to this dispute "through a political agreement" between Morocco and the Polisario.

Underlining the importance to "give time" to the ongoing direct dialog between the parties under the auspices of the UN, Spain's head of government noted that "we should draw lessons from experiences and show good sense in order to understand that a solution goes through an agreement. With the support and leadership of the United Nations, such a solution can be lasting.”

Morocco had on April 11 presented a draft plan to grant substantial autonomy to its Southern Provinces known as the Sahara. This former Spanish colony was ceded to Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid Accord. Backed by Algeria, the Polisario has been claiming, ever since, the independence of the territory.

In the joint declaration issued at the end of the 8th session of the Moroccan-Spanish High Level meeting, held in Rabat on March 5-6, Spain welcomed with interest the autonomy proposal, deeming that it would create a new dynamism of dialog to overcome the current stalemate and contribute to settling this dispute.

The Spanish head of government said that Morocco “will present a plan that would settle this dispute," underlining that "reaching an agreement between the parties is the only solution" and Spain will play a "constructive role" in this respect.