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Peacekeeping in Western Sahara: MINURSO (UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara)
Fact sheet released by the Bureau of International Organization Affairs
U.S. Department of State, August 23, 2000
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Key Dates
- Started: April 29, 1991
- Current Mandate Expiration: October 31, 2001
Staffing
Authorized
Actual (as of 07/01/00)
Total
U.S.
Troops
27
27
0
Observers
203
204
16
Police
81
80
0
Financing (Regular peacekeeping assessments)
Total UN Cost
U.S. assessment (at 25%)
FY 1999
$35 million
$9 million
FY 2000
$44 million
$11 million
FY 2001 estimate
$52 million
$13 million
Mandate
MINURSO has two major mandated tasks: monitoring the cease-fire and maintaining a political dialogue with the parties. The latter includes carrying out a Settlement Plan agreed to by the parties, which calls for the registration of the Sahrawi population of the Western Sahara and the holding of a referendum on the status of the territory.
U.S. Interests
U.S. interests include supporting the peaceful resolution of a conflict which is of vital importance to our key regional partner Morocco; preventing a return to war between Morocco and the POLISARIO that could destabilize the region and involve Algeria or other outside nations; and encouraging a political solution that serves the interests of all the parties and offers a chance for longer-term stability.
[end of document]
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