The General Assembly and the Latest Resolution on Western Sahara October 2007

Question of Western Sahara

Draft resolution

The General Assembly,

Having considered in depth the question of Western Sahara,
Reaffirming the inalienable right of all peoples to self-determination and independence, in accordance with the principles set forth in the Charter of the United Nations and General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960 containing the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples,
Recognizing that all available options for self-determination of the Territories are valid as long as they are in accordance with the freely expressed wishes of the people concerned and in conformity with the clearly defined principles contained in General Assembly resolutions 1514(XV) of 15 December 1960, 1541(XV) of 15 December 1960 and other resolutions of the General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 60/114 of 8 December 2005
Recalling also all resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council on the question of Western Sahara,
Recalling further Security Council resolutions 658 (1990) of 27 June 1990, 690 (1991) of 29 April 1991, 1359 (2001) of 29 June 2001, 1429 (2002) of 30 July 2002, 1495 (2003) of 31 July 2003, 1541 (2004) of 29 April 2004, 1570 (2004) of 28 October 2004, 1598 (2005) of 28 April 2005, 1634 (2005) of 28 October 2005, 1675 (2006) of 28 April 2006 and 1720 (2006) of 31 October 2006,
Welcoming the adoption of Security Council resolution 1754(2007) of 30 April 2007,
Expressing its satisfaction that the parties have met on 18 and 19 June and on 10 and 11 August 2007 under the auspices of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General and in the presence of the neighbouring countries and they have agreed to continue the negotiations,
Calling upon all the parties and the States of the region to cooperate fully with the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy and with each other,
Reaffirming the responsibility of the United Nations towards the people of Western Sahara,
Welcoming in this regard the efforts of the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy in search of a mutually acceptable political solution for the dispute, that will provide for self-determination of the people of Western Sahara,
Having examined the relevant chapter of the report of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples,
Having also examined the report of the Secretary-General,
1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General;
2. Supports strongly Security Council resolution 1754(2007) by which the Council called upon the parties to enter into negotiations, without preconditions in good faith, taking into account the developments of the last months, with a view to achieving a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara;
3. Welcomes the ongoing negotiations between the parties held on 18 and 19 June and on 10 and 11 August 2007 in the presence of the neighbouring countries under the auspices of the United Nations;
4. Commends the efforts undertaken by the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy for the implementation of Security Council resolution 1754(2007), encourages the parties to continue to show political will and spirit of cooperation in support these efforts and to create the propitious atmosphere for dialogue and for the success of the negotiations;
5. Calls upon the parties to cooperate with the International Committee of the Red Cross and urges them to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law;
6. Requests the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples to continue to consider the situation in Western Sahara and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its sixty-third session;
7. Invites the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at its sixty-third session a report on the implementation of the present resolution.