Shaheed Al Hafed (refugee camps) March 22, 2013 (SPS) - The UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara Mr. Christopher Ross expected to arrive today in the occupied territories of Western Sahara, as part of a regional tour which will last till April 3.
The visit is the second of its kind since his appointment in 2009 as a personal envoy of the UN Secretary General for Western Sahara.
According to agenda of the visit, Ross will visit the occupied city of El Aaiun, capital of Western Sahara, on March 22nd and 23rd and the city of Dakhla on March 24th and 25th, before heading to the Saharawi refugee camps on March 25th and 26th.
The UN Secretary General spokesperson told reporters in New York on Thursday that the purpose of Mr. Ross’s trip is “to prepare for the next phase in the negotiating process and a possible resumption of direct talks to achieve a mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.”
Mr. Ross will hold discussions with the parties to the Western Sahara negotiations, Morocco and the Frente Polisario, and visit Western Sahara. He will also hold consultations with the neighbouring States, Algeria and Mauritania, added UN spokesperson.
Mr. Ross’s visit characterized by the important position expressed by the Group of Friends of Western Sahara (France, Russia, Spain, the UK and the US), who welcomed the visit especially that to the occupied territories of Western Sahara.
Ban Ki-moon’s personal envoy had expressed his “strong concern” about the status quo of the situation, while saying that the conflict, if it continues, can feed growing frustrations and spark off new rounds of violence and hostilities which will be tragic on the peoples of the region.
In this regard, Ross held consultations, in Washington by late January, with high officials of the American Department of State to establish an additional international support for the negotiations.
After USA, he paid visits successively to Russia, France, Spain, UK, Germany and Switzerland.
Ross held on Tuesday talks with Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Gonzalo de Benito, said official sources. (SPS)
090/089/TRA