Written question asked by Mark Williams (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 3 October 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 October 2008. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Monday, 6 October 2008 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Western Sahara: Politics and Government

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of Mr. Peter van Walsum's briefing to the UN Security Council, UN Doc. S/2006/817 on 16 October 2006, with particular reference to its references to the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: In his report to the UN Security Council (UNSC) of 16 October 2006, Peter van Walsum, the then Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General to the Western Sahara, recommended that both parties"““enter into negotiations without preconditions, with a view to achieving a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political situation that will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara””."This view was subsequently endorsed by UNSC Resolution 1754 (April 2007).The UK continues to believe that progress towards a negotiated solution to the dispute in Western Sahara providing for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara, is best achieved under the auspices of the UN. To this end and in accordance with UNSC Resolution 1813 of 30 April, the UK fully supports the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and his staff and we have called on the parties to engage in the negotiation process currently underway.

Secondary information