WRITTEN QUESTION E-3632/00 by Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE) to the Council. Western Sahara.
Date: 2000-11-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Western Sahara, common foreign and security policy

19.6.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 174 E/95

The Commission has requested a correction in the database.

(1) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.

(2001/C 174 E/099)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3632/00

by Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE) to the Council

(22 November 2000)

Subject: Western Sahara

The Settlement Plan adopted in June 1990 by the UN Security Council with a view to holding a
referendum for the self-determination of the people of the Western Sahara, the proclamation of a cease-
fire by the parties involved, impartial and objective measures to identify those entitled to vote and the
organisation of structures to enable the Sahrawi people to be consulted in future have not yet been
implemented.

There appears to be little prospect of an early referendum in view of the points of disagreement that
emerged at the exploratory meeting held in London on 14 May 2000, at which the interested parties
outlined their respective positions. Would the Council state, therefore, whether any progress has been
made towards resolving the situation? Does the Council consider that the EU should encourage the efforts
of the international community by launching a Europe (cid:129) Maghreb dialogue with a view to hastening the
achievement of a political and lawful solution to the conflict?

With reference to the fate of the prisoners who were snatched from their families over 25 years ago and
have been used as means of exerting pressure or as bargaining counters, could the Council explain what
role the EU should play in order to bring to an end this ongoing and premeditated abuse of human rights?

Could the Council shed light on the misuse of funds provided up to now by the EU to assist the
communities involved?

Reply

(8 March 2001)

The Council fully supports and encourages the UN(cid:146)s efforts to resolve the conflict in the Western
1.
Sahara, while not claiming to take the UN(cid:146)s place in doing so. It is convinced that the process initiated in
this context, particularly the direct talks between the Parties,
is the best or even, the only, means of
succeeding, and that the current deadlock can only be resolved by means of a frank and open dialogue on
all the aspects of the conflict between the Parties involved.

2.
The Council(cid:146)s ambition is to create a climate of trust between the Parties, which is necessary for a
lasting settlement in the context of stabilisation of the region. Whatever the solution, it should be based on
full observance of democratic principles and human rights, and encompass the worrying issue of Moroccan
refugees and prisoners, particularly those in urgent need of medical care. In this connection, the Council
fully supports the efforts made in this respect by the International Committee of the Red Cross and
encourages all
the Parties concerned to make every endeavour to find a solution rapidly to this
humanitarian problem. As for the return of refugees in accordance with the principles laid down by the
UN High Commissioner for Refugees, this is a decisive element of the UN settlement plan.

Regarding the European Union(cid:146)s humanitarian commitment,
the Union is the largest provider of
humanitarian aid to the Saharan refugees via the ECHO programme. Aid amounting to about € 20 million
managed by the Humanitarian Aid Office has been earmarked for the period 1999 to 2001.