Time to pressure Morocco to abide by the UN Security Council resolution

There is a need to illustrate the fact that the only beneficiaries of the hard currency that tourists bring to Morocco are the Royal family, its cronies and the corrupt Generals. It is also quite likely that tourists' money will be used to rearm the occupying forces in Western Sahara and reinforce the security apparatus, which is renowned for its human rights abuses. The campaign to end the pillage of Saharawi natural resources should be accentuated not only to preserve the resources of the Saharawi state but also to target the vital interests of the Regime's men.

It is also necessary to maintain the diplomatic campaign, and further isolate the regime, which finds itself in a dreadful situation, since it is opposed to all UN's proposals for the peaceful resolution of the conflict. The other element of pressure which can not been ruled out is the return to war should the peace process fails.

The lessons that could be drawn from Morocco's attitude towards UN Resolutions and the way the UN has so far dealt with its obstructions do not augur well for a just, speedy and lasting resolution to the conflict in Western Sahara. Unfortunately, Morocco has been able to get away with its illegal and brutal occupation of our country and the UN has shown constant leniency for the regime's flagrant violations of its resolutions and international law.

For the UN to restore its credibility it must complete the implementation of the only solution that is just and democratic and benefits from the strong support of the Security Council: the Settlement Plan, complemented by the Houston Agreements which both parties had accepted in 1989 and 1997. This solution has gained further impetus since Polisario's compromise concerning the Appeals Process.

However, Morocco is attempting to shift the debate from the Saharawis' right to self-determination to the so-called "territorial integrity" and "Morocco's sovereignty". It is important to emphasise that no country or international organisation has ever recognised Morocco's sovereignty or its illegal occupation of Western Sahara.

The right of the Saharawi people to self-determination and independence is inalienable and paramount. This means that it is not negotiable and cannot be overridden. The question of the Western Sahara remains on the UN agenda as a decolonisation issue and it will remain so until the Saharawi people exercise their right to self-determination. Therefore, the Settlement Plan must not be ignored or sidelined; it should remain on the UN agenda as the most viable option for the resolution of the conflict, unless Morocco decides to end its occupation and give up its illegitimate claims over Western Sahara.

However, what is expected is that that the Moroccan regime will do its utmost to maintain the status quo and at the same time enact its old tricks during the forthcoming negotiations in order to obtain even more favourable terms in Baker's Plan. Those who benefit from instability and disunity in the Maghreb will continue to encourage the Moroccan regime in its obstructionist attitude. Sadly, it is the Saharawi people that will continue to suffer because of considerations that have more to do with Realpolitik than justice.

It is evident that the Saharawi side has done all that it could do in order to facilitate the UN's efforts to end the illegal occupation of Western Sahara. Now it is the duty of the UN Security Council to stress to Morocco that its tricks and crocodile tears can be tolerated no longer.