by the United Nations

“ Having briefed the Security Council on 18 January 2006 and held discussions with its members, the Personal Envoy’s analysis was that the Council had consistently made it clear that it would not impose a solution to the Western Sahara question. There are only two options: either indefinite prolongation of the impasse, or negotiations between the parties, without preconditions, aimed at achieving a mutually acceptable political solution that would provide for self-determination. ”

“ The report notes also that, on 8 March 2007, Mohammed Abdelaziz, Secretary-General of Frente Polisario, handed to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon a document summarizing his organization’s position that Western Sahara is a decolonization problem. It states that the solution to the conflict lies in the exercise of the legitimate right to self-determination of the people of Western Sahara by means of a referendum. ”

“ Recommending that the Council extend the mandate of MINURSO for a further six months, until 31 October 2007, the Secretary-General states that, in the existing circumstances on the ground and in light of his Personal Envoy’s continuing efforts, the Mission’s presence remains indispensable for the maintenance of the ceasefire in Western Sahara. The Security Council should call upon the parties to enter into negotiations without preconditions, and neighbouring Algeria and Mauritania should be invited to the negotiations and consulted separately on issues directly affecting them. ”