WASHINGTON, DC20510
March 31, 2009 The President
The
White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President
:
In the beginning of his mandate, we strongly urge you and your administration to support the people of Western Sahara's right to self- determination through a free, fair and transparent referendum. It is of interest to our country ensure that this issue is adequately addressed in accordance with recognized principles, and in a manner enabling the Saharawi people democratically choose their own political and economic future.
In 1975, the International Court of Justice expressly confirmed the right to self-determination for Western Sahara. As you know, the United Nations Charter enshrines the right to self-determination and the UN General Assembly has been unequivocal in its assertion of this right. The United Nations has adopted dozens of resolutions reaffirming the right of Western Sahara to self-determination, and established the Mission United Nations for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) to enable the Saharawi choose between independence or integration with Morocco. Unfortunately, Morocco has blocked this referendum and instead proposed an autonomy plan for Western Sahara, which denies the right of Western Sahara to self-determination process, including the option of independence.
The Sahrawi people have suffered since the Moroccan military forces took control of most of the territory. Many have lived in emergency food aid in camps in the Algerian desert since the mid 1970's. Moreover, the testimonies of human rights violations humans have been documented by the State Department over the years in its Annual Report on Human Rights Practices in the Netherlands, and other respected human rights organizations.
Under his presidency the U.S. has a new opportunity to help break the impasse in the conflict of long duration. The recent appointment of career U.S. diplomat and Middle East expert, Christopher Ross, as the new Secretary General's Special Envoy for Western Sahara further strengthens the opportunity to advance a just and sustainable. To do so respectfully request your support for the Saharawi right to decide their own future through a democratic vote that includes the options of integration, autonomy and independence. In addition, we urge you to support the incorporation of human rights monitoring during the mandate of MINURSO.
Thank you for your attention to this important topic. We hope to hear and work with you to promote just and democratic solution to the conflict in Western Sahara.
Sincerely, Russell D.
Feingold, United States Senator James
, M. Inhofe, United States Senator Edward M.
Kennedy, United States Senator Herb Kohl
, United SMtes
Senator Sam Brownback, United States Senator Jim DeMint
, United States Senator
Patrick J. Leahy, United States Senator
cc: The Honorable Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State
The Honorable Susan Rice, Permanent U.S. Representative to the UN
March 31, 2009 The President
The
White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President
:
In the beginning of his mandate, we strongly urge you and your administration to support the people of Western Sahara's right to self- determination through a free, fair and transparent referendum. It is of interest to our country ensure that this issue is adequately addressed in accordance with recognized principles, and in a manner enabling the Saharawi people democratically choose their own political and economic future.
In 1975, the International Court of Justice expressly confirmed the right to self-determination for Western Sahara. As you know, the United Nations Charter enshrines the right to self-determination and the UN General Assembly has been unequivocal in its assertion of this right. The United Nations has adopted dozens of resolutions reaffirming the right of Western Sahara to self-determination, and established the Mission United Nations for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) to enable the Saharawi choose between independence or integration with Morocco. Unfortunately, Morocco has blocked this referendum and instead proposed an autonomy plan for Western Sahara, which denies the right of Western Sahara to self-determination process, including the option of independence.
The Sahrawi people have suffered since the Moroccan military forces took control of most of the territory. Many have lived in emergency food aid in camps in the Algerian desert since the mid 1970's. Moreover, the testimonies of human rights violations humans have been documented by the State Department over the years in its Annual Report on Human Rights Practices in the Netherlands, and other respected human rights organizations.
Under his presidency the U.S. has a new opportunity to help break the impasse in the conflict of long duration. The recent appointment of career U.S. diplomat and Middle East expert, Christopher Ross, as the new Secretary General's Special Envoy for Western Sahara further strengthens the opportunity to advance a just and sustainable. To do so respectfully request your support for the Saharawi right to decide their own future through a democratic vote that includes the options of integration, autonomy and independence. In addition, we urge you to support the incorporation of human rights monitoring during the mandate of MINURSO.
Thank you for your attention to this important topic. We hope to hear and work with you to promote just and democratic solution to the conflict in Western Sahara.
Sincerely, Russell D.
Feingold, United States Senator James
, M. Inhofe, United States Senator Edward M.
Kennedy, United States Senator Herb Kohl
, United SMtes
Senator Sam Brownback, United States Senator Jim DeMint
, United States Senator
Patrick J. Leahy, United States Senator
cc: The Honorable Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State
The Honorable Susan Rice, Permanent U.S. Representative to the UN
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