[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 23, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1775]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS SETTLEMENT PLAN FOR WESTERN SAHARA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LEE H. HAMILTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 23, 1998

  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I believe the 1997 Houston Accord, 
negotiated under the leadership of U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan by 
his Personal Envoy, former Secretary of State James A. Baker III, 
offers the best hope for achieving a just and lasting solution to the 
question of the Western Sahara. However, I am concerned that the 
parties to the plan--the Government of Morocco and the Polisario 
Front--are not doing enough to meet their commitments under this 
agreement. A lack of cooperation by the parties is impeding the 
progress of the U.N. Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara 
(MINURSO). On August 7, 1998 I wrote to President Clinton concerning 
MINURSO and implementation of the Houston Accords, and on August 31, 
1998 I received a reply. The text of the correspondence follows:

         Committee on International Relations, House of 
           Representatives,
                                   Washington, DC, August 7, 1998.
     The President,
     The White House,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear President Clinton: I write to urge you to support 
     actively the full implementation of the United Nations 
     Settlement Plan for Western Sahara. I commend the commitment 
     by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to resolving this decades-
     long conflict as well as the extraordinary leadership and 
     accomplishments of his Personal Envoy, former Secretary of 
     State James A. Baker III, in successfully negotiating the 
     1997 Houston Accord. I believe this agreement offers the best 
     hope for achieving a just and lasting solution to the 
     question of the Western Sahara.
       The parties to the plan--the Government of Morocco and the 
     Polisario Front--are not doing enough to meet their 
     commitments under this agreement. Implementation of the first 
     phase of the Houston Accord is already some six months behind 
     schedule, with further delays likely. I believe the United 
     States has an important interest in the full and timely 
     implementation of both the Houston Accord and the underlying 
     UN Settlement Plan.
       I would like to bring to your attention three areas where a 
     lack of cooperation is impeding the progress of the UN 
     Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO).
       First, the two parties, as well as Algeria and Mauritania, 
     have not concluded a status-of-forces agreement (SOFA) to 
     facilitate the deployment of MINURSO-formed military units--
     including some U.S. forces. To ensure the orderly, peaceful 
     conduct of the referendum, those forces are set to be 
     increased as the Houston Accord enters its second phase. I do 
     not see how the United Nations can deploy this force without 
     a clear, prior agreement from all parties on the conditions 
     under which they would operate.
       Second, the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) does 
     not yet have an agreement with the Government of Morocco to 
     formalize its presence in the Western Sahara, as is required 
     by the Houston Accord. Without an agreement allowing it to 
     operate freely, the UNHCR has made no progress on organizing 
     the safe and voluntary repatriation of the Western Saharan 
     refugees from camps in Algeria and Mauritania.
       Third, the Government of Morocco has imposed restrictions 
     on MINURSO aircraft. I am concerned about attempts to dictate 
     to the United Nations who it may and may not transport on its 
     own planes, and urge you to encourage the Moroccan government 
     to refrain from such interference with MINURSO's work.
       I believe U.S. support is critical to the successful 
     implementation of this peace plan. The United States should 
     have its own officials on the ground to report on MINURSO's 
     progress, should press the parties directly to carry out 
     their commitments to the peace plan, and should give strong 
     support to the efforts of former Secretary Baker. I 
     understand that Secretary Baker, acting on behalf of the UN 
     Secretary General, may reconvene the Houston conference that 
     produced this agreement, and I hope you will support his 
     diplomacy in full.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Lee H. Hamilton,
     Ranking Democratic Member.
                                  ____



                                              The White House,

                                      Washington, August 31, 1998.
     Hon. Lee H. Hamilton,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Lee: I received your letter concerning the Western 
     Sahara, and I agree with your views on the importance of full 
     implementation of the United Nations settlement plan. I also 
     share your concern over the slow pace of progress.
       United States officials at the United Nations and in the 
     region constantly monitor developments affecting the U.N. 
     Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). As 
     you are aware, the United Nations is working with Morocco, 
     Algeria, and Mauritania to conclude a status of forces 
     agreement (SOFA). We recognize the importance of having a 
     SOFA in place and will continue to urge progress.
       Regarding the U.N High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), I 
     am encouraged by the recent agreement between Moroccan and 
     UNHCR delegations in Geneva to allow UNHCR to operate freely. 
     UNHCR is awaiting confirmation from the Government of Morocco 
     before proceeding, but anticipates a favorable decision.
       We continually discourage Government of Morocco 
     restrictions concerning who may and may not travel on MINURSO 
     aircraft. As the recent presence of congressional staff on 
     MINURSO flights demonstrates, Moroccan restrictions have not 
     affected our ability to support the U.N. process. That said, 
     we continue to urge the Government of Morocco to lift these 
     restrictions, which cause Morocco to be viewed in an 
     unfavorable light by the international community.
       The U.S. embassy closely follows the settlement process in 
     the Western Sahara through visits to Western Sahara proper 
     and to refugee camps in Tindouf. We have also placed a U.S. 
     official, on a short-term basis, in Western Sahara to observe 
     and report on developments. The United States will continue 
     to take every opportunity to urge the Government of Morocco 
     and the Polisario to work with the United Nations in 
     resolving this longstanding dispute.
       Again, thank you for sharing your concerns on this 
     important issue. I appreciate the active interest and 
     positive involvement of Congress in supporting the U.N. peace 
     process and the full implementation of the Houston Accords.
           Sincerely,
                                                           Bill.  

     

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