Security Council resolution 1495 (2003) [on extension of the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO)]
Symbol: S/RES/1495(2003)
Date: 2003-07-31
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/58 [44] WESTERN SAHARA QUESTION
S/58 [45] UN MISSION FOR THE REFERENDUM IN WESTERN SAHARA
Subjects: UN. Secretary-General|UN. Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara|Peace Plan for Self-determination of the People of Western Sahara (Proposed)|Frente Polisario|International Committee of the Red Cross|UN High Commissioner for Refugees|UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara|PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS|WESTERN SAHARA|WESTERN SAHARA QUESTION|SELF-DETERMINATION OF PEOPLES|PRISONERS OF WAR|HUMAN RIGHTS IN ARMED CONFLICTS|CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES|WESTERN SAHARAN REFUGEES|HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE|COOPERATION BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONS|REPORT PREPARATION
Votes in favour: 15
Votes against: 0
Abstentions: 0
Voting record:
country: ANGOLA
vote: yes
country: BULGARIA
vote: yes
country: CAMEROON
vote: yes
country: CHILE
vote: yes
country: CHINA
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: yes
country: GERMANY
vote: yes
country: GUINEA
vote: yes
country: MEXICO
vote: yes
country: PAKISTAN
vote: yes
country: RUSSIAN FEDERATION
vote: yes
country: SPAIN
vote: yes
country: SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: yes
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes

         United Nations                                                                   S/RES/1495 (2003)
         Security Council                                               Distr.: General

                                                                        31 July 2003




         Resolution 1495 (2003)
         Adopted by the Security Council at its 4801st meeting,
         on 31 July 2003

               The Security Council,
               Recalling all its resolutions on the question of Western Sahara, and
         reaffirming, in particular, resolution 1429 (2002) of 30 July 2002,
              Stressing that in view of lack of progress in the settlement of the dispute over
         Western Sahara a political solution is critically needed,
              Concerned that this lack of progress continues to cause suffering to the people
         of Western Sahara, remains a source of potential instability in the region and
         obstructs the economic development of the Maghreb region,
               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,
              Commending the parties for their continuing commitment to the ceasefire and
         welcoming the essential contribution which the United Nations Mission for the
         Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) is making in that regard,
               Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of 23 May 2003
         (S/2003/565) and the Peace plan for self-determination of the people of Western
         Sahara presented by his Personal Envoy, as well as the responses of the parties and
         the neighbouring States,
               Acting under Chapter VI of the Charter of the United Nations,
              1.   Continues to support strongly the efforts of the Secretary-General and his
         Personal Envoy and similarly supports their Peace plan for self-determination of the
         people of Western Sahara as an optimum political solution on the basis of agreement
         between the two parties;
               2.   Calls upon the parties to work with the United Nations and with each
         other towards acceptance and implementation of the Peace plan;
               3.   Calls upon all the parties and the States of the region to cooperate fully
         with the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy;


03-44780 (E)
*0344780*

S/RES/1495 (2003)


                     4.    Reaffirms its call upon the Polisario Front to release without further delay
               all remaining prisoners of war in compliance with international humanitarian law,
               and its call upon Morocco and the Polisario Front to continue to cooperate with the
               International Committee of the Red Cross to resolve the fate of persons who are
               unaccounted for since the beginning of the conflict;
                     5.  Reiterates its call upon the parties to collaborate with the United Nations
               High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the implementation of confidencebuilding measures and continues to urge the international community to provide
               generous support to UNHCR and the World Food Programme in order to help them
               overcome the deteriorating food situation among the refugees;
                    6.    Decides to extend the mandate of MINURSO until 31 October 2003;
                    7.   Requests that the Secretary-General provide a report on the situation
               before the end of the present mandate that contains progress made in the
               implementation of the present resolution;
                    8.    Decides to remain seized of the matter.




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