United Nations Security Council Resolution 1017 – Western Sahara
Resolution 1017 (1995)
The Security Council,
Reaffirming its resolutions 621 (1988) of 20 September 1988, 658 (1990) of27 June 1990, 690 (1991) of 29 April 1991, 725 (1991) of 31 December 1991,809 (1993) of 2 March 1993, 907 (1994) of 29 March 1994, 973 (1995) of13 January 1995, 995 (1995) of 26 May 1995 and 1002 (1995) of 30 June 1995,
Reaffirming in particular its resolutions 725 (1991) and 907 (1994)relating to the criteria for voter eligibility and the compromise proposal of the Secretary-General on their interpretation (S/26185),
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of 8 September 1995(S/1995/779), and noting further the fact that only two out of the eight identification centres are currently functioning,
Committed to reaching a just and lasting solution to the question ofWestern Sahara,
Reiterating the fact that, for progress to be achieved, the two parties must have a vision of the post-referendum period,
Expressing the hope for a rapid resolution of the problems causing delays in the completion of the identification process,
Expressing its regret that the outcome of the preliminary vetting by the Government of Morocco of the 100,000 applicants not residing in the territory is contributing to the inability of MINURSO to maintain its timetable for completing the identification process,
Expressing its regret also that the Polisario Front is refusing to participate in the identification, even within the territory, of three groups within the disputed tribal groupings, thus delaying completion of the identification process,
Taking note of paragraph 49 of the Secretary-General’s report of8 September 1995,Stressing the need for progress to be made on all other aspects of theSettlement Plan,
Reaffirming its endorsement in resolution 1002 (1995) of the recommendations of the mission of the Security Council concerning the identification process and other aspects of the Settlement Plan as described in paragraph 41 to 53 of the report of the mission of 21 June 1995 (S/1995/498),
- Reiterates its commitment to the holding, without further delay, of afree, fair and impartial referendum for the self-determination of the people ofWestern Sahara in accordance with the Settlement Plan, which has been acceptedby the two parties stated above;
2. Expresses its disappointment that, since the adoption of resolution1002 (1995), the parties have made insufficient progress towards the fulfilmentof the Settlement Plan, including the identification process, the code ofconduct, the release of political prisoners, the confinement of Polisario troopsand the arrangements for the reduction of Moroccan troops in the territory;
3. Calls upon the two parties to work henceforth with the Secretary-General and MINURSO in a spirit of genuine cooperation to implement the Settlement Plan in accordance with the relevant resolutions, to abandon their insistence on strict reciprocity in the operation of the identification centre and to cease all other procrastinating actions which could further delay the holding of the referendum;
4. Requests the Secretary-General, in close consultation with the parties, to produce specific and detailed proposals to resolve the problems hindering the completion of the identification process in the framework of the relevant Security Council resolutions, in particular resolution 907 (1994)relating to the compromise proposal of the Secretary-General (S/26185), and resolution 1002 (1995) relating to the recommendations of the Security Council Mission (S/1995/498), and to report on the outcome of his efforts in this regard by 15 November 1995;
5. Decides to review the arrangements for the completion of the identification process on the basis of the report requested in paragraph 4above, and to consider at that time any further necessary measures which mightneed to be taken to ensure the prompt completion of that process and of all theother aspects relevant to the fulfilment of the Settlement Plan;
6. Decides to extend the mandate of MINURSO until 31 January 1996 as recommended by the Secretary-General in his report of 8 September 1995 and takes note of his intention, if, before then, he considers that the conditions necessary for the start of the transitional period are not in place, to present the Security Council with alternative options for consideration, including the possibility of the withdrawal of MINURSO;
7. Requests the Secretary-General to report by 15 January 1996 onprogress achieved towards the implementation of the Settlement Plan, and tostate in that report whether or not the transitional period will be able tobegin by 31 May 1996;
8. Stresses the need to accelerate the implementation of the SettlementPlan and urges the Secretary-General to examine ways of reducing the operationalcosts of MINURSO;
9. Further stresses that the existing mechanism for the financing of MINURSO remains unchanged, supports the invitation by the General Assembly to Member States, in General Assembly resolution 49/247 of 7 August 1995, to make voluntary contributions to MINURSO, and requests the Secretary-General, without prejudice to existing procedures, to consider the establishment of a trust fund to receive such voluntary contributions for certain specific purposes to be designated by the Secretary-General;
10. Decides to remain seized of the matter.
Adopted by the Security Council at its 3582nd meeting,on 22 September 1995.
