WESTERN SAHARA: Polisario releases 100 prisoners after EU request

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

DAKAR, 22 Jun 2004 (IRIN) - One hundred Moroccan prisoners of war, some of them in captivity for more than 20 years, have been released by the Polisario movement fighting for the independence of Western Sahara, European Union officials said.

The prisoners, whose release was confirmed in an EU statement issued on Monday, were captured during a 16-year guerrilla campaign which the Polisario waged against Moroccan forces. Morocco moved into Western Sahara after Spain withdrew from the colony in 1975.

Ireland, current holder of the EU presidency, had been pressuring the Polisario to hand over more prisoners. Human Rights Minister, Tom Kitt, flew to the town of Tindouf in southwestern Algeria this week to meet the freed captives.

"I am delighted to be here today to bear witness to the release of these prisoners which can only be seen as a positive step forward by the Polisario,” Kitt said in the statement.

“I call on all sides to build on this constructive development without further delay, with a view to the early release of all remaining prisoners and the resolution of other outstanding issues of importance to Polisario and the Kingdom of Morocco," he added.

Since a 1991 UN-brokered ceasefire took effect, the Polisario has released most of its prisoners of war but 514 remain in captivity.

The United Nations has spent more than US $600 million over the past 13 years trying to find a solution to the conflict in the desert territory.

Former US Secretary of State James Baker resigned as the UN special envoy to Western Sahara earlier this month after failing to break the political stalemate.

His last peace plan, put forward in 2003, envisaged the former Spanish colony having self-rule for four to five years. After that long-term residents and the 165,000 Western Sahara refugees, who have spent nearly 30 years in camps in neighbouring Algeria, would be allowed to vote in a referendum. The proposed choices were full integration with Morocco, continued autonomy within the framework of the Moroccan state or independence.

Baker's plan was accepted by the Polisario movement but it was rejected by Morocco, which diplomats say is anxious to avoid any loss of sovereignty.

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