Western Sahara

- Council members were briefed on the latest situation on Western Sahara on

26 April.

- Council members expressed general support for the efforts of the UN

system, and in particular the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy, to

find a peaceful settlement to the dispute. They are considering the

recommendation of the Secretary-General to extend MNURSO's mandate for

two months.

- Among other issues, in our discussions of the Secretary-General's recent

report, all members of the Council expressed considerable concern at the

lack of progress in resolving the dispute and in taking forward the

humanitarian issues, particularly refugees, POWs and missing persons. We

discussed the need for adequate funding for the UNHCR's programme to

assist refugees in the camps, especially the most vulnerable group. Council

members also found the delay in releasing POWs unacceptable. They urged

the parties to liberate all persons still detained in connection with the conflict.

This issue was not linked with political considerations and should be resolved

urgently.

(Question: When are you going to come back to the Western Sahara

resolution?)

I think delegations will report the resolution to their capitals overnight. And if

the draft is generally agreed and is easily resolvable I will take it for adoption

in the Council tomorrow morning.