UN-Truth

This is what gives diplomacy a bad name.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson made a comment after being asked a question by a journalist at the daily briefing in Washington on Friday:

Q: What is the Department of State’s reaction to the third round of the UN-brokered peace talks on the Western Sahara having ended with no agreement?

ANSWER: The troubling Western Sahara dispute has remained unresolved for far too long.  We had hoped the two parties would use this latest round to engage substantively on core issues. While none of the core issues were resolved, we understand the parties held lengthy discussions that included confidence-building measures. We welcome the decision by both parties to hold a fourth round of talks in Manhasset March 11-13.  The Security Council has unanimously passed two successive resolutions that call on both parties to engage in negotiations, without preconditions, toward a settlement of this dispute.  We believe the Moroccan proposal to provide real autonomy for the Western Sahara provides a serious and credible option, and we hope that the Polisario will engage in discussions on this proposal as a realistic starting point that could lead toward resolution of the dispute.  The Polisario has expressed a willingness to negotiate as a way to advance the interests of the Sahrawi people. Morocco has affirmed to the United Nations that its proposal is open for negotiation with the Polisario and would be subject to an up-or-down vote by the people affected“.

Before — a long, long time ago, as they say in fairy tales — the U.N. Security Council agreed to organize a referendum in which the Saharan people would be asked if they want independence, or some kind of association with Morocco.  A peacekeeping mission was established, and a census was taken of those who should be allowed to vote.  Of course, by knowing who will be registered, it would be possible to know which way this vote would go.  Morocco tried to pack the voters list, and tied up the and appeals system with challenges.  Everything has been stuck for years.

So, how to resolve this mess?

Change the whole basis, tell the Polisario that in effect they have lost, and must now negotiate an autonomy agreement with Morocco, on terms that Morocco has always said it wanted…?

That is what gives diplomacy a bad name.

Filed under: UN Security Council, Western Sahara