US Congress

Bi-partisan letter from 229 Members of Congress sent to President Obama

A majority of the Members of the US House of Representatives - led by Representative Mr Gary Ackerman, Representative Mr Lincoln Diaz-Balart, and the highest ranking members of the Democratic and Republican leadership - sent a letter to President Barack Obama expressing concern over the rising threat from Al-Qaeda and other terrorists in North Africa. 

"Vital U.S. interests in North Africa are increasingly challenged by growing regional instability.  Terrorist incidents in the Maghreb have increased by more than 400 percent since September 11, 2001, and the emergence of Al Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has led to a spike in terror attacks against both symbols of national goverment and institutions reflecting cooperation betweeen the Arab wolrd and the West.  The single greatest obstacle impeding the security cooperation necesssary to combat this transnational threat is the unresolved territorial dispute over the Western Sahara.

"In addition to bringing peace to the people of Morocco and to the Saharawi, and shrinking the space for global terrorist elements to recruit and operate, resolving the conflict in the Western Sahara would have considerable economic benefits and improve the lives of millions of Africans.  The entire Maghreb would finally be free to pursue serious economic integration, attract increased foreign investment, and realize the potential for regional trade and co-operation.  All of these important goals are currently blocked by the continued conflict and the tension it creates between states in the region.

"After the four rounds of negotiations did not produce any real progress, the UN Secretary General's Personal Envoy for the Western Sahara, Mr Peter van Walsum, issued an assessment to the Security Counci in April 2008.  He said, "My conclusion is that an independent WEstern Sahara is not an attainable goal that is relevant today because it lies at the root of the current negotiation process," and he urged that future rounds of talks be held only on the subject of autonomy under Moroccan Sovereignty.

"Unfortunately, following this bold statement the negotiations process stalled.  Mr van Walsum has been replaced by Ambassador Christopher Ross as the new UN Personal Envoy.  We are hopeful that Ambassador Ross's appointment will result in the continuation of the talks based on Mr van Walsum's assessment.

"We remain convinced that the US position, favoring autonomy for Western Sahara under Moroccan Sovereignty, is the only fesible solution," the letter continues, referring to US policy which has remained consistent through the Clinton and Bush Administrations. We urge you to both sustain this longstanding policy, and to make clear, in both words and actions, that the United States will work to ensure that the UN process continues to support this framework as the only realistic compromise that can bring this unfortunate and longstanding conflict to an end.  We look forward to working with you towards the success of this policy."

House Majority Leader, Representative Mr Steny Hoyer (Democratic Party)
House Minority Leader, Representative Mr John Boehner (Republican Party)
House Majority Whip, Representative Mr James Clyburn (Democratic Party)
House Minority Whip, Representative Mr Eric Cantor (Republican Party)
Democratic Caucus Chairman, Representative Mr John Larson
Republican Conference Chairman, Representative Mr Mike Pence
Chairman of the House Subcommittee on the Middle East & South Asia, Representative Mr Gary Ackerman (Democratic Party)