Arabic News, October 28, 2004
Serbia-Montenegro withdraws recognition of Sahara Republic
The government of Serbia-Montenegro (former Yugolsavia) announced this Tuesday it is withdrawing its recognition of the so-called "Sahara Republic," proclaimed by the Algeria-backed Polisario separatists.
The decision made in 1984 by the government of former Yugoslavia contradicts the United Nations principles and charter, said foreign minister of Serbia-Montenegro Vuk Draskovic, in a joint press conference with visiting Moroccan peer Mohamed Benaissa.
The official who voiced his country's "total support" to Morocco's territorial integrity, stressing "we are against the establishment of a so-called state on the territory of another sovereign and independent state."
"I repeat it, be sure of it, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Morocco have and will have the total support of my country," insisted Vuk Draskovic.
For the Moroccan minister, the Belgrade authorities' decision is in line with international legality and the UN principles and charter.
The puppet entity was set up in the southwestern Algerian territory by the separatist movement "Polisario" which is claiming the separation of the Moroccan Sahara from the rest of Morocco. The former Spanish colony was retrieved by Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid Accords signed with Spain and Mauritania.
Like India and other weighty countries, former Yugoslavia has now joined the nations respectful of international law and legality, especially that those who recognize the artificial entity, which does not have the attributes of a State, did it in an international context still marked by the cold war.
Since then, several countries, especially from Africa and Latin America, reconsidered their positions and withdrew their recognition of the so-called "SADR," after realizing that the project, set up by the adversaries of morocco's territorial integrity were unachievable.
Out of the 191 member countries of the United Nations, only 52 have voted in New York Monday for the Algerian resolution, while 89 abstained and 50 did not take part in the poll.
This is certainly awareness among the international community that the Baker Plan is outdated, and that only a political solution is liable to settle the issue and preserve serenity in the region.
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