Morocco to consult population of Western Sahara on autonomy plan

23/03/2006

[File] Benabdellah

Morocco will consult the people of Western Sahara on the plan to give the territory greater autonomy, which it is to submit to the UN soon, Communications Minister Nabil Benabdellah said Wednesday (22 March). "The process of consultation began 11 March with Morocco's political parties and will be widened to the Sahrawi people, notably through the Consultative Council for Saharan Affairs," Benabdellah told AFP.

He said the Moroccan offer was final and would not be improved upon. Benabdellah did note submission of its autonomy plan to the UN, originally scheduled for next month, could be delayed for several weeks. "The political parties must hand their responses to the king by 31 March, then we must draw up an analysis. The main thing is that Morocco is committed to make proposals on autonomy and will do it as soon as possible after the end of the consultations," he said. (AFP)