3668th Meeting of Security Council: Situation in Western Sahara

Security Council extends mandate of MINURSO until 30 November, reduces military component at 3668th meeting.

• Categories: Meetings & Events / Security Council
• Video Length: 00:04:15
• Production Date: 29 May 1996
• Asset Language: Original; English; French; Spanish
• Personal Subject: HUASUN QIN
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS MISSION FOR THE REFERENDUM IN WESTERN SAHARA - MINURSO
• Subject Topical: NON-SELF-GOVERNING TERRITORIES; POLITICAL CONDITIONS
• Geographic Subject: WESTERN SAHARA
• MAMS Id: 2424453
• Parent Id: 845907

Description

Resolution 1056 (1996) Suspends Temporarily the Identification Process.

The Security Council this afternoon decided to reduce the military component of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) by 20 per cent -- from 288 to 230 personnel -- while extending the Mission's mandate until 30 November. This action was taken on the understanding that it would not impair effective monitoring of the cease-fire.

Through its unanimous adoption of resolution 1056 (1996), the Council suspended temporarily the identification process, which aims at identifying those eligible to participate in the planned referendum. The suspension would remain in effect until both the Government of Morocco and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Rio de Oro (POLISARIO) had demonstrated their commitment to resuming and completing the process without further obstacles.

According to the resolution, today's temporary suspension of the work of the Identification Commission did not imply any lessening of the Council's resolve to secure implementation of the settlement plan. Under that plan, the parties agree to the holding of a referendum to enable the people of Western Sahara to choose between independence and integration with Morocco.

The Council urged the two parties to demonstrate the political will, cooperation and flexibility to permit resumption and early completion of the identification process. It also called on them to cooperate with the United Nation on such aspects of the settlement plan as the release of Saharan political prisoners and the exchange of prisoners of war.

While reminding the parties that it would have to consider other measures if significant progress was not made during the upcoming mandate period, the Council stressed its readiness to support resumption of the identification process as soon as the parties made that possible. It supported the Secretary-General's proposal to maintain a political office to continue dialogue with the parties and the two neighbouring countries.

For further details please see official record:
S/PV.3668

For further details please see source:
MEETINGS COVERAGE