2023-11-21 11:32:52
Washington reiterates that it considers the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco as a “realistic” and “credible” option
MADRID, 21 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The United States Government has denied that its ambassador in Algeria maintained “bilateral” contacts with the Polisario Front during her recent visit to the refugee camps in Tindouf, while reiterating that it considers the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco for Western Sahara as a “realistic” and “credible” option.
The spokesperson for the US State Department, Matthew Miller, has indicated that the embassy in Algiers, Elizabeth Moore Aubin, participated “along with a wide range of international donors” in “a visit organized by the United Nations” to the aforementioned camps, in which western Algeria.
“The United States is the world’s largest contributor to international humanitarian efforts, including through our support for the vital work of UN agencies in Tindouf,” he explained, before emphasizing that “there were no bilateral interactions with the Polisario Front during this visit by UN donors.”
On the other hand, it has reiterated its support for the efforts of the UN special envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, while “intensifying the political process led by the United Nations in Western Sahara to achieve a lasting and dignified solution without further delay.”
“We continue to consider Morocco’s autonomy plan as something serious, credible and realistic and as one of the potential positions to satisfy the aspirations of the people of Western Sahara,” Miller stressed. The plan has been strongly rejected by the Polisario Front.
The former Spanish colony of Western Sahara was occupied by Morocco in 1975 despite the resistance of the Polisario Front, with whom it remained at war until 1991, when both parties signed a ceasefire with a view to holding a self-determination referendum, but The differences over the preparation of the census and the inclusion or not of Moroccan settlers have prevented it from being called so far.
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