By Prensa Latina
United Nations : The fourth round of talks between Morocco and the pro-independence POLISARIO Front on the future status of Western Sahara has been postponed briefly, an official UN spokesperson said Wednesday.
At the end of their third round of talks in Manhasset, New York, in early January, both parties agreed to meet again March 11-13.
However, the meeting has been re-scheduled for March 16-18 in the same place, UN spokeswoman Michele Montas said without giving any further explanation.
The POLISARIO Front and the government of Morocco have concluded three rounds of complex talks without any obvious change in their differing views on the future of Western Sahara. The parties began dialogue under a Security Council resolution in April 2007, urging them to talk “unconditionally and in good faith” after seven years without any direct contact.
According to Montas, UN special envoy for Western Sahara Peter Vam Walsum will do his best to promote negotiations between Rabat and pro-independence Saharawis.
Morocco still clings to its proposal to grant autonomy to the Saharawi population on condition they remain under its control.
For its part, the POLISARIO Front defends a referendum on self-determination for the Saharawi people to express their will freely, choosing between independence and the Rabat-proposed autonomy.