[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 58 (Wednesday, May 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E861]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CONFLICT OVER THE WESTERN SAHARA

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                       HON. ESTEBAN EDWARD TORRES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 7, 1997

  Mr. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, the Secretary General of the United Nations 
recently asked former Secretary of State, James A. Baker III, to make a 
fresh assessment of the situation regarding the long-standing conflict 
over the Western Sahara.
  As my colleagues may know, the United Nations have been attempting to 
resolve conflicts which have gone on over more than 20 years between 
the Sahrawi Republic and the government of Morocco. The United Nations 
currently maintains a peacekeeping force in this region, and so far a 
resumption of armed conflict has been avoided.
  Mr. Baker's recently completed visit to this region has brought 
renewed hope that a bridge to resolving the current impasse might be 
forthcoming.
  His Excellency the Honorable Mohamed Abdelaziz, President of the 
Sahrawi Republic and Chairman of the Polisario Front, has made a noble 
gesture of goodwill toward the peace process by initiating the release 
of 85 Moroccan prisoners of war. His Excellency extended his hand of 
friendship, a gesture which I trust is appreciated and reciprocated by 
our friends in Morocco.
  Mr. Speaker, I am inserting into the Record a letter which I recently 
sent to President Abdelaziz congratulating him on his gesture of 
goodwill toward the peace process in Western Sahara.

                                U.S. House of Representatives,

                                      Washington, DC, May 6, 1997.
     His Excellency the Honorable Mohamed Abdelaziz, President of 
       Sahrawi Republic, Chairman of Polisario Front, Washington, 
       DC.
       Your Excellency: I send you my personal greetings and best 
     wishes. My office had the pleasure of being briefed by your 
     Ambassador Said on your recent visit with Mr. James A. Baker, 
     representing the Secretary General of the United Nations.
       I have been informed of your extraordinary gesture of 
     goodwill towards the process of peace in Western Sahara, I am 
     referring to your decision to release some 85 Moroccan 
     prisoners of war being held by your army. This is a most 
     generous gesture and expression of your commitment to the 
     current efforts to bring peace to your region.
       Your actions speak well for the prospects of cooperation 
     and consultation in Western Sahara. I trust that your 
     generosity and vision will be reciprocated by Morocco and 
     that Mr. Baker can be an instrument of reconciliation and 
     resolution for the problems which have plagued your people 
     for too many years.
       Your gesture is deeply appreciated and understood.
           Sincerely,
                                                Esteban E. Torres,
                                               Member of Congress.

     

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