Derecognition of SADR

Date: 
Tuesday, June 27, 2000

Press Statement

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the decision of the Vajpayee government to derecognise the Saharwi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). The announcement by an official of the external affairs ministry that the government has decided to withdraw recognition has come as a total surprise. The SADR had been given recognition in 1985 as India supports the right of self-determination of the Saharwi people. The Moroccan government has consistently denied the Saharwi people this right and unjustifiably occupied the territory of Western Sahara.

The United Nations has been engaged in trying to organise a referendum to ensure the wishes of the Saharwi people and to determine their future. The UN plan has been obstructed and delayed time and again by the Moroccan government. Instead of ensuring that the UN mediation succeeds, the Indian government has acted under the pressure of the Moroccan government which has been for quite some time demanding that the diplomatic recognition to the SADR be withdrawn.

This act of the Vajpayee government is one more step in reversing the non-aligned foreign policy upheld by successive governments. It is well known that Morocco is a close ally of the United States.

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) calls upon all political forces in India who support the cause of national liberation and decolonisation to protest against this action. The CPI(M) demands that the government of India cancel the withdrawal of recognition.