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Western Sahara 34-year-old Deadlock With Morocco Back On Agenda
10 August 2009
Algiers/Rabat - Negotiators will gather in Austria on Monday for informal talks aimed at unblocking a 34-year-old dispute between Morocco and the Western Sahara independence movement. Western diplomats say the row over Western Sahara, a territory slightly bigger than Britain with under half a million people, is hampering efforts to tackle an insurgency linked to al Qaeda that is spreading south through the Sahara desert. Morocco annexed Western Sahara in 1975 and is now offering it autonomy. But the Polisario independence movement, which fought a guerrilla war until 1991 and is backed by neighbouring Algeria, is demanding a referendum on Western Sahara's future which would include the option of independence. United Nations mediator Christopher Ross will host two days of talks, the first direct meeting between the two sides since failed negotiations near New York City last year. United Nations officials have said those talks were marred by "grandstanding". They hope the new format - low-key talks away from the media spotlight - will be more productive and clear the way for the resumption of formal negotiations. Mediators have not disclosed the venue and there is no scheduled press coverage, but Mohamed Beisat, Polisario's Minister Delegate for African Affairs, said the location will be Durnstein, an Austrian town on the Danube where English king Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in the 12th century. "We have no problem whatever with any item on the agenda," Beisat told Reuters. "We are ready to discuss autonomy, we are ready to discuss independence, whatever the mediator wants." "The only position that we have is that we stick to the right of the people to choose their destiny." Moroccan officials could not be reached for comment. Morocco's King Mohammed said in a speech last month that Western Sahara's status as part of his kingdom was a sacred issue. "We affirm our commitment to the bold initiative of autonomy because of its seriousness and worldwide credibility," he said. - Reuters
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