W Sahara Talks End With No Deal in Sight

United Nations, Jan 9 (Prensa Latina) Representatives of the Polisario
front and the government of Morocco on Wednesday conclude their third
round of direct negotiations in seven months on the future of Western
Sahara, without clear signs of a possible agreement.

It seems Morocco is stuck to its proposal of granting the autonomy to
the Saharan population with the condition that the territory, a former
colony of Spain until the 1970s, remains under its control.

Meanwhile, the Polisario Front suggests holding a referendum on
self-determination in which the independence choice is included along
with the Moroccan offer.

On the last day of talks, arbitrated by UN special envoy for Western
Sahara Dutch Peter Van Walsum, there were no signs of consensus.

For Moroccan Interior Minister Chakib Benmoussa, head of his country's
delegation to the talks, Rabat's offer is "innovative, creative, and
full of promises."

According to information given to press, he also said he will not
accept any effort intended to impose a policy that affects the Moroccan
territorial integrity of sovereignty.

In the meantime, the head of the POLISARIO Front, Mahfud Ali Veiba,
defended the Saharan people's right to exert self-determination, and
choose the best for its future.

"It would be a serious mistake to push it to extreme situations,"
Veiba warned.

hr/dig/tgj/mf PL-7
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