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DATE=7/14/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N-WESTERN SAHARA (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-264433
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan is 
raising the possibility that there may have to be an 
alternative to a U-N plan for a referendum on Western 
Sahara. VOA Correspondent Breck Ardery reports from 
the United Nations.  
TEXT: For nine years, the United Nations has been 
attempting to hold a referendum to decide if Western 
Sahara should remain part of Morocco or become 
independent.
Negotiations on the terms of the vote drag on and 
former U-S Secretary of State James Baker was 
appointed as Mr. Annan's special representative to 
facilitate the talks. But the Secretary-General says 
the latest round of talks in London actually "moved 
things backwards."
However, U-N spokeswoman Marie Okabe says Mr. Annan 
still has some hope. 
            ///OKABE ACT///
      He hopes some progress can be achieved during a 
      forthcoming expert-level meeting in Geneva 
      despite the lack of progress in the London 
      meeting. Following the Geneva consultations the 
      Secretary-General expects his envoy James Baker 
      to meet again with the parties to try once again 
      to resolve the problems relating to the 
      implementation of the settlement plan.
            ///END ACT///
However, in a report to the U-N Security Council, Mr. 
Annan says the fact that negotiations on the 
referendum have gone on for nine years "do not auger 
well" for an agreement. Mr. Annan suggests that the 
government of Morocco and the pro-independence 
Polisario Front consider alternatives to a referendum.
In a statement issued in New York, the representative 
of the Polisario Front says only a referendum can 
bring about a "just and lasting solution to the 
conflict in Western Sahara." The government of Morocco 
had no immediate comment on the Secretary-General's 
report. 
On Tuesday, the U-N Security Council will hold closed-
door talks on Western Sahara.
///Rest opt///
Morocco claims sovereignty over the former Spanish 
colony of Western Sahara that Morocco annexed in 1979. 
But the Algerian-backed Polisario Front has been 
battling for independence for 25 years. A cease-fire 
was reached in 1991.(Signed) 
NEB/UN/BA/LSF/PW
14-Jul-2000 15:00 PM EDT (14-Jul-2000 1900 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.