Background on Western Sahara | War on Want Campaign | Report in "The Guardian" - Feb 2001


Email to Colin Breed, MP for East Cornwall

The Arms to Morocco for Western Sahara Scandal

5th April, 2002

Hello Collin   ...............  It seems that Morocco has occupied Western Sahara for many years and the UK has provided arms spares which are undoubtedly used by the Moroccans to defend their claim to Western Sahara.   Could you please direct the following questions to the relevant Minister/MP -Jack Straw?  

  1. Does the Government accept that the occupation of Western Sahara by Morocco is illegal and unsupportable?
  2. Do they now accept that the sale, in 1999, of £3.5 million worth of spares to maintain weapons for the occupation was inappropriate. That although the UN  may have decided that the sale did not violate any of their 'Resolutions' this government is still bound by a) our own and b) European resolution and hence the sale should not have been authorised.
  3. What is the Governments position on the conflict now.
  4. Will they now clearly state publicly that a) it was a mistake,b) apologise to the Saharawis people and  the British public and not to undertake such sales in future.

Thank you

Roger Lovejoy

Reply 15th April

Thank you for your email.  I have directed your questions to Ben Bradshaw MP.  With regard to the general situation in the Western Sahara, the Liberal Democrats have been fully engaged in supporting the international efforts to bring about a referendum in Western Sahara so that the Saharawi people can decide for themselves their future relationship with Morroco.  We will be pressing the Government to support the implementation of the original agreements and encourage European counterparts to do likewise so that the referendum can take place.

I have contacted our Spokesperson on International Development, Dr. Jenny Tonge, and attach a copy of a question she asked in the House last year and I have been asked to inform you that she will be asking further questions on the current situation.

With kind regards - Colin Breed.

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Attachment

Dr. Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):

What recent representations he has made to the UN concerning the referendum in Western Sahara. [1539]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Ben Bradshaw):

We supported United Nations Security Council resolution 1359, which was passed unanimously on 29 June and which extended the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara until 30 November 2001.

Dr. Tonge:

I welcome the Minister to his new post. There seems to be some confusion in the Minister's Department about the referendum in Western Sahara. On 4 July, my Right Hon. and Learned Friend the member for North-East Fife (Mr. Campbell) received a reply that indicated support for the framework agreement passed by the Security Council. On 5 July, the Government went back to the original position of supporting the UN settlement, which was for a free and fair referendum for the Saharawi people to take place as soon as possible - the settlement was reached 10 years ago. Does he not appreciate that the framework agreement means that the electorate for the referendum in Western Sahara will be increased by hundreds and thousands of Moroccan settlers and soldiers and therefore will not be a true referendum of the Saharawi people?

Mr. Bradshaw:

I am sorry if the Hon. Lady is confused, but as far as we are concerned there is no confusion. The resolution is absolutely clear: it reiterates full support for the on-going efforts of the United Nation's mission to implement the settlement plan, and for agreements adopted by the parties to hold a free, fair and impartial referendum for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.

Background on Western Sahara | War on Want Campaign | Report in "The Guardian" - Feb 2001