| Taken Question Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC May 1, 2008 Taken Question from 05-01-08 Daily Press Briefing Morocco: MINURSO Renewal (Taken Question)Question: Any comments on the Security Council resolution on the Western Sahara that was adopted late yesterday?
Answer: The United States welcomes the unanimous adoption of Resolution 1813. According to the UN Secretary General’s Personal Envoy Peter Van Walsum, during four sets of talks, neither side was willing to discuss the other’s proposals, leading to an impasse that does not serve the people of the Western Sahara in any way. An independent Sahrawi state is not a realistic option. In our view, some form of autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the only realistic way forward to resolve this longstanding conflict. We urge the parties to focus future discussions on a mutually-acceptable autonomy regime that is consistent with the aspirations of the people of Western Sahara. As Ambassador Wolff said following the adoption of the resolution, the United States will support these efforts by broadening our own engagement with the parties over the coming weeks and months. Morocco has presented a proposal that we believe is serious and credible. 2008/344 |
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