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Issue No. 136 | 17 May 2002 |
Modern Labour
Interview: Licking the Wounds Industrial: The Accidental Tourist Unions: Stars And Stripes International: The Un-Promised Land History: Mate Against Mate Politics: Reith's Gong Poetry: You've Got a Friend Review: War on Terror: Now Showing Satire: Burmese Regime Makes Genuine Commitment To Pretence Of Change
Solidarity In The Post To East Timor Workers Call Abbott On Democracy Bluff Wran Tells MPs: Talk to Unions Family First on Conference Agenda Cole Commission Declares Paper War Budget Attacks Retirement Incomes PSA Challenges Carr’s Secrecy Shield Welfare Staff Strike Out At Harrassment Fake Notes Expose Government as Tax Cheat Labor Faces Acid Test on Asylum Seekers New Project Encourages Cultural Exchanges Bush’s Western Saharan War And Oil Deal
The Soapbox The Locker Room Bosswatch Postcard Week in Review
More May Day Hate Mail What Women Want Chucking a Wobbly Is Caustic Costello the Despot of Despair? East Timor: Independent Or Mendicant?
Labor Council of NSW |
News Bush’s Western Saharan War And Oil DealBy Stephanie Brennan
- (Convenor – Western Sahara Alliance) The UN Security Council was meeting to consider four options relating to the conflict which has raged since 1975 when Morocco invaded, bombed and occupied Western Sahara. In a dramatic shift in it's foreign policy the US draft resolution put to the Security Council called for the UN to adopt the notorious Framework Agreement put to it last year by UN Special Envoy James Baker. Baker's proposal involved giving Morocco sovereignty over the territory under the guise of 'limited autonomy' for the indigenous Saharawi people.The Security Council saw it as a subverting of the decolonisation process and it was voted down a year ago. September 11 and the 'War on Terror" has meant that Morocco is now seen as a key player in US plans for military expansionism in the region. After King Mohamed's meeting with President Bush - and cosy dinner with the UN's Kofi Annan - the US announced its abandonment of the UN sponsored referendum on self-determination which Morocco has been blocking for 11 years. The US's proposal was defeated - temporarily - but is up again for discussion in July. Last October Morocco raised the stakes when it gave US and French Oil companies licences to explore for oil in the area. Although the UN's top legal counsel advised that Morocco acted illegally the international community has largely stood by. Bush and Baker both have strong links to the oil industry and this latest US sponsored 'autonomy plan' is seen as being motivated by oil and military concerns. The Australia Western Sahara Association and Western Sahara Alliance are organising a protest outside the UN office on Monday 20 May at 12.30pm 46 - 48 York St. Bring your union's flags to show support. Enquiries contact Julie Power (LHMU) 0425 214887 or Paul Reid (ASU-MEU) 0407 242092
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