Security Council urges refrain by parties

The UN Security Council on Monday called on parties in the conflict in Western Sahara to refrain from any action which could aggravate the situation, a statement from the Council said. Members also expressed their concern at the humanitarian situation and called on the parties to resolve outstanding issues. The members, the statement said, agreed to the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan's recommendation for the extension of the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) be extended till 31 January 2002, to allow further discussions on resolving the 26-year old dispute between Morocco and the Polisario Front. The period would allow the personal envoy of the Secretary-General, James Baker III, and the parties concerned to continue efforts aimed at finding a durable solution to the dispute, it said. MINURSO's mandate has been extended several times, including three times this year, due to the inability of the two sides to agree on UN peace proposals, the latest of which was drafted in June. The plan offered Western Sahara limited autonomy within Morocco. MINURSO was established in April 1991. One of its roles is to maintain peace between Morocco, which annexed Western Sahara after Spain pulled out in 1975, and the Polisario Front, which is fighting for independence. It is also mandated to organise a referendum allowing Sahraouis to decide between self-rule or incorporation into Morocco.