Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume XXIV, North Africa

451. Telegram From the Department of State to the Mission to the United Nations and the Embassy in Ethiopia¹

231651.

Washington, July 28, 1987, 1509Z

SUBJECT

• Western Sahara: AS Crocker’s Meeting With UN Secretary General.

Ref:

• A) USUN 2040;²
• B) Addis Ababa 2909.³

1. Confidential—Entire text.

2. In a July 21 meeting on other subjects with UN Secretary General Perez de Cuellar, AS Crocker asked about the status of UN efforts to mediate the Western Sahara problem. The SYG confirmed report in ref A that he would take the issue up with Algerian President Bendjedid and SDAR “President” Abdelaziz at the forthcoming OAU Summit in Addis Ababa.⁴ He will also discuss the Western Sahara with the new OAU Chairman, whoever that turns out to be. Meanwhile, current OAU Chairman Sassou-Nguessou is planning to present a report on the Western Sahara at the Addis summit.

3. The main problem, according to the SYG, revolves around the dispatch of a UN technical team to the area to assess factors involved in implementation of a UN-sponsored ceasefire and referendum. Though Morocco has agreed to facilitate the team’s work, Polisario is seeking assurances that GOM is prepared to accept the consequences of such a referendum and to respect it. In the SYG’s view, it will not be easy to obtain such assurances.

4. The SYG said he is considering how to handle forthcoming meetings with Bendjedid and Abdelaziz. He hopes to convince them that acceptance of the technical team does not, in and of itself, entail acceptance of anything else. He noted the considerable financial costs that the proposed ceasefire and referendum would entail for the UN, and the “absolute need” to assess these costs in advance through the sending of a team. “We will try to persuade the Polisario not to be suspicious, but I can’t ask the King to sign a promissory note.” The SYG said he would put Under-Secretary-General Abdulrahim Farah in charge of the team, if it ever gets off the ground.

5. Comment: There was an element of irritation towards Polisario on the SYG’s part in his presentation of the problems regarding the dispatch of a UN technical team. Department will be particularly interested in whatever Embassy Addis can pick up in coming days, in addition to ref. B, on the Western Sahara issue at the OAU Summit.

Shultz

1. Source: Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D870724–0059, D870599–0434. Confidential; Immediate; Exdis. Drafted by Willett; cleared by Thomas Benesch (AF/W), Zweifel, Crocker, Joseph Lake (S/S), William Haugh (S/S–O), David Kenney (P), and James Shinn (IO/UNP); approved by Smith. Sent for information Priority to Algiers. Sent for information to Brazzaville, Cairo, Geneva, London, Madrid, Nouakchott, Paris, and Rabat.
2. In telegram 2040 from USUN, July 21, the Mission reported that on July 17, Diallo provided a “readout” from De Cuéllar’s July 9–10 meetings in Geneva: “Polisario is still refusing to cooperate with SYG plan to dispatch a UN technical team to the Western Sahara. Secretariat officials now convinced that Algeria and Polisario are tacitly opposing referendum because they do not expect to win. Talks on dispatching the UN technical team will continue at the OAU Summit in Addis Ababa.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D870573–0315)
3. In telegram 2909 from Addis Ababa, July 22, the Embassy noted that the July 21 session of the OAU Council of Ministers “was highlighted” by the report of Secretary General Oumarou, which touched on a number of “key issues.” Regarding the Western Sahara, Oumarou “reported that the failures of recent initiatives in Geneva and the ongoing violence in Western Sahara provided ‘no hope’ for a rapid solution.” In addition, “Morocco’s construction of a sixth defensive wall had escalated tensions and threatened the tranquility and neutrality of Mauritania.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D870582–0282)
4. In telegram 3118 from Addis Ababa, August 6, the Embassy reported that the OAU Summit and Council of Ministers meeting “concluded July 30 without taking major new steps on political issues such as Chad, Southern Africa or the Western Sahara.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D870634–0042)