Path to Providing Self-Determination for the People of Western Sahara
Statement by David Clay, UK Deputy Political Coordinator at the United Nations, at the Security Council Briefing on Western Sahara
Thank you Mr President. The UK was pleased to vote in favour of this resolution today, which supports the work of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Mr Horst Koehler, and rightly focuses on progress that must be made towards a lasting and mutually acceptable solution that will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. The United Kingdom strongly supports the efforts of Mr Koehler as well as the work of MINURSO and its head, Mr Colin Stewart. We are very grateful to our US colleagues for their efforts to ensure this resolution sends a signal of the Council’s strong support for political progress whilst underpinning the important work of MINURSO. The UK looks forward to the roundtable talks in December which will mark the start of a process and encourages all concerned to work constructively with the Personal Envoy in the spirit of compromise through the duration of the process to ensure a successful outcome.
Thank you Mr President.